Our hackathon in the news:


​About the Hackathon

Location: EcoTech Visions HQ, 1020 NW 163rd Dr, Miami Gardens
​Open to artists, coders, designers, engineers, makers, entrepreneurs, experts and learners

The mission of this hackathon is to create art & technology solutions for local climate issues in South Florida. How can augmented reality and other art mediums work with technology to educate and activate citizens about climate change? We launched this hackathon to bring together the creative & tech communities of Greater Miami to connect, create & get involved for our beautiful planet. This inaugural hackathon supports Miami Murals, a grassroots movement led by local artists & technologists to deliver an augmented reality mural series to spur environmental action around Miami-Dade County. Learn more at miamimurals.org.

Will you join the movement to create a New Miami #beforeitstoolate?

What is a Hackathon?
A hackathon (also known as a hack day, hackfest or codefest) is a design challenge event usually lasting one or several days, in which computer programmers and others, including graphic designers, interface designers, project managers and subject-matter-experts, collaborate intensively on software projects. As an MIT founded initiative, Before It's Too Late is excited to spread our love of hackathons to Miami by launching the city's first Augmented Reality hackathon in honor of Earth Month.
We are capping our membership to 60 hackers who will be selected based on their application.
Admission is free for hackers.

Apply in the link above!
Three Challenge Categories

Art Challenge for Miami Murals
Choose a local climate story & community to highlight
Develop a full mural proposal and demo including the mural design, 3D art, and AR to bring the mural to life
Design a community activation plan based on the mural

Code Challenge for Miami Murals
Design the best app for the Miami Murals campaign, integrating a public mural map, calling to distinct AR experiences, database feed to 1 Million Actions campaign and social features
Design an app that is intuitive and engaging
Design code that runs smoothly and efficiently

Education Innovation Challenge for Sea Level Rise
Open format challenge with focus on education for the classroom and public engagement
Create a climate educational experience, campaign or product that raises awareness and motivates action
Design and create a demo that addresses a local climate need

Awards
First place team in each category -  $1,000
Second place team in each category - $500
Invitation to join Miami Murals team
Plus other products & prizes

Hackathon Rules Available on Bottom of Page
​

Event Schedule

FRIDAY - HACK Day 1 (9am - open 24 hours) **Open only to hackers and partners
AM - Free workshops in Unity and Video Demo Reel Production
**6pm -  Hackathon kicks off with presentations on the challenges
Discovery Period & Team Formation
Midnight - Team plans are due, no changes allowed after
Lunch & Dinner are provided

SATURDAY - HACK Day 2 (open 24 hours) **Open only to hackers and partners
All day hack!  
Mentorship check-ins available
Free yoga and meditation sessions available
Three meals are provided

SUNDAY - PRESENTATIONS & FESTIVAL (10am - 3pm) OPEN TO PUBLIC 
**9am - Team submissions are due
11am - Art Challenge Presentations
12pm - Coding Challenge Presentations
1pm - Education Challenge Presentations
2 pm - Award ceremony & closing speeches
Expo featuring green tech, VR/AR experiences and important local organizations 
Miami muralists painting live murals throughout building
DJ & Complimentary Happy Hour after!
​
Friday and Saturday are open only to hackers and partners, and we invite the public to join us on Sunday.
​

Featured Miami Muralists

We are inviting up to 21 of Miami's best muralists to transform the new EcoTech Visions space with live and spontaneous earth art. See the artists who are already committed and stay tuned for the rest.

Yoga Instructors

Hackathon Judges

Art Challenge

Mobile App Challenge

Education & Innovation Challenge

This Hackathon is Brought to You By
Miami Murals aims to deliver an augmented reality mural series across Miami-Dade County to raise awareness and spur over “1 Million Individual Actions” on local climate issues. Murals will be created for 12 diverse Miami neighborhoods that are addressing an important aspect of climate change. This campaign is driven by an incredible team of local artists in partnership with local nonprofits and businesses Before It's Too Late, The CLEO Institute and Mad Studios. Learn more at miamimurals.org and see our pilot mural in the news: 1 minute video by NBC6 news and Miami Herald article.

Before It's Too Late (BITL) is a nonprofit prototyping lab using arts & technology to awaken and unite people to mitigate the climate crisis. BITL’s programs include virtual & augmented reality, murals and simulation games, and we are empowering local artists, students, and vulnerable communities to become agents of change. Our social theory of change incorporates the latest research on climate communication, behavioral science and design. BITL is based in Miami, FL and was founded out of MIT. Visit us at beforeitstoolate.earth.

EcoTech Visions is Miami’s first green incubator and makerspace. We assist entrepreneurs in creating, planning, and launching innovative and “green” manufacturing businesses in South Florida. More than just some business workshop, we offer high-quality business resources, maker space, office space and event space to support the development of products made with recycled materials. Learn more at http://ecotechvisions.com

The CLEO Institute builds a climate-literate public that supports climate action. CLEO stands for Climate Leadership Engagement Opportunities. To date our work has reached more than 330,000 people including individuals, groups,  schools, businesses, municipalities and elected leaders. We want everyone to better understand the science, seriousness, and solutions for the climate change crisis.

Hackathon Team

LINDA CHEUNG
ARTIST & SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
Linda Cheung founded the nonprofit Before It’s Too Late and the Miami Murals project in order to empower artists, students and vulnerable communities to become agents of change on the climate crisis. She previously worked in the renewable energy sector, and she holds an MBA degree from MIT Sloan and B.S. Economics degree from Wharton.  ​
EMILY PASCUAL
3D ARTIST, VR/AR DESIGNER
At the intersection of human rights and education, Emily is the Head of Growth for the bilingual ed-tech social enterprise Genius Plaza. As an AR and VR Designer, Emily creates immersive educational experiences. Emily is an activist who works with organizations advancing political, social, and economic justice for underrepresented minorities and women. Emily has worked with policy-driven organizations and nonprofits including UN Women and LATISM (Latinos in Tech Innovation and Social Media).
DWIGHT GOINS
DEVELOPER & HACKER
Chief Algorithms Officer (CAO) and Lead Emerging Experiences Consultantat Microsoft's TS Engineers located in Coral Springs, Florida. He builds experiences for HoloLens, Kinect, IoT, AR, VR, and AI. He leads a group of ideologists, scientists and developers towards creating that next AI, AR and VR medical based application that heralds in the future. He is also familiar with IoT, R and Machine Learning. His fascination however is with the emerging experience brand of 1-D and 3-D platforms such as bots (Conversation as a platform) and Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality using head mounted displays such as HoloLens. 
JACK JEWORSKI
PRODUCT STRATEGIST
Jack Jeworski brings to the team a strong background in strategic product development, with experience as a product manager and a director of business development in Silicon Valley. His work as an activist includes journalism, organizing events to promote social justice, and delivering a lecture at Stanford University about alternative energy.
DR. PANDWE GIBSON
PRESIDENT OF ECOTECH VISIONS
President and Founder of EcoTech Visions, Miami's first maker & incubator guiding entrepreneurs to grow green manufacturing. Member of the Board of Directors for USGBC South Florida and Miami Foundation. Maven of scaling enterprises, and has led and grown more than 20 businesses. Bachelor of Arts from Scripps College, Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from Claremont Graduate University, Master in Leadership from Harvard Graduate School, MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and PhD from Claremont Graduate University.
DR. SUSAN JACOBSON
PROFESSOR OF NEW MEDIA
Dr. Jacobson has worked in new media her entire professional and academic career. Her research is concerned with how social media shapes the relationship between journalists and news audiences, the impact of new media on journalism and the expressive qualities of multimedia. She teaches at FIU. She has won fellowships and awards from the CMM Institute, the Mellon Foundation, the Media Ecology Association and the Warburg Institute.
KARINA MCENTEE
MARKETING & STRATEGY BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Karina is a multi-lingual executive-level marketer with over 15 years of experience with proven track record of driving high growth business strategies, successfully launching products and developing teams, providing sustainable performance and leadership to highly reputable organizations. Known for building industry-leading brands that drive high lifetime value from customers and define internal cultures. She holds an MBA degree from MIT Sloan School of Business and B.S. Business management degree from Universidad Francisco Marroquin.
KASSANDRA CENEAS
CEO AT CONVIVIAL LINK
After parting ways with her first business venture being one of the leading ladies in the cellular and computer repair industry; she decided to support struggling professionals and entrepreneurs of all ages and different walks of life to help them in pursuing or establishing a venture through Convivial Link. Convivial Link allows individuals that are professionals and entrepreneurs to Mingle, Network and Impact on some of the struggles they have or have had to endure to spread experiences that transition in to success and wealth. Kassandra is also an advocate to teaching, mentoring and educating the youth. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Nova Southeastern University, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Conflict Resolution at Touro University in which she plans and aspires to be a Mediator.
REMY MARIN
CO-FOUNDER OF THE MIAMI INNOVATORS ASSOCIATION
Remy Marin is the founding president and co-founder of the Miami Innovators Association, with experience doing business development and connecting students to startups through internships while hosting 14+ events centered around the same concept at a variety of venues, most notably at The LAB Miami. He has also gained experience of the startup community by working in an emerging startup and is a strong advocate for growing Miami's startup community.

Thank You to our Partners & Sponsors

Hackathon Rules

Hacker Perks
  • Free Developer & Design workshop series in Unity, 3D Art & Animation and Mobile Development offered in advance of hackathon
  • PLAY ROOM filled with VR/AR toys and experiences!
  • RESET ROOM for yoga, meditation and self care
  • Three meals and endless coffee everyday
​
Eligibility
  • Attendees from all backgrounds, genders, geographies and skills are welcome. The only criteria is that you are PASSIONATE about contributing your creativity to solve this issue.
  • There is no age restriction to attend the hackathon. In case you are under 18, you need a signed waiver from the parent/legal guardian authorizing you to attend the hackathon. We will provide the waiver form.
  • Team members and employees of prize sponsors are not eligible to participate in the hackathon. They may, however, assist teams  as mentors during the coding/development phase.       
  • There is no country restriction but you must be eligible to receive prizes (in case you win) and you are responsible for paying any taxes on the prize winnings.      
                                 
Team Forming
  • Teams may include three to five members.
  • Teams should have members with diverse skills (developer, designer) and skill levels (beginner, intermediate, expert)
  • Teams cannot be formed prior to the hackathon, and they must be submitted by Midnight on the first day of the hackathon, Friday April 27.
  • Teams may submit to more than one challenge category, but we recommend that you focus and submit for only one!

Conduct
  • Be Respectful Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees. Behave professionally. Remember that harassment and racist, sexist, or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate for this event. We welcome attendees from all backgrounds and skill level. This event is about collaboration and teamwork! 
  • Have Fun! Talk, work, connect - and don’t let the time crunch prevent you from having fun! Please remember to take a break now and then and relax.
  • Alcohol will not be served or allowed during the hackathon.

Ownership
  • Teams will have full ownership of what they have created during the hackathon. However, Before It’s Too Late and other hackathon sponsors reserve the right to show off the great work you have done on our website, press releases, marketing materials and in promotion of next year’s hack. (We’re here to give you a leg-up, not to steal your work!).
  • Your team may offer to donate your project assets to the Miami Murals and Before It's Too Late nonprofit campaigns. If we love your work and you (the person), we would love to find a way to keep working together by adding you to our artist collective or finding a way to continue incubating your work with our campaign.

​​Criteria for Success 
Projects should strive to integrate the impact goals with the art & design goals for this campaign. 

Impact Goals:
  • Raising awareness on local climate change issues
  • Promoting actions through our 1 Million Individual Actions campaign
  • Activating a community to become engaged with the movement
Art & Design Goals
  • Emotionally impactful
  • Beauty, creativity and quality
  • Compelling use of the technologies and tools 
  • Accessibility - the most people (children, adults, different languages) can engage in the experience

Projects must be submitted by 9 am Sunday April 29. The contest winners will be selected by a panel of judges.

BITL

Contact Us 
Press
Photos

Partners

CLEO Institute
MIT Sustainability Initiative
MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative
SE Florida Regional Climate Compact
Climate Interactive
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