DAVIE, Fla. - PlutoHacks, a 24-hour hackathon, returns Nov. 6 for its 11th year at Broward College.

The hackathon begins at 5 p.m. in the gym (Building 10) of the A. Hugh Adams Central Campus in Davie. Over 24 hours, hackers will take a trip through the different stages of growth—from beginner to expert and everything in between. Hackers are given the tools to build something and the space to learn, iterate, and evolve their ideas.

Last year’s 10th anniversary event drew 35 teams from Broward College and area schools who created projects under the theme of “Past, Present, Future.” This year's theme is "Build, Protect, Innovate," which reflects the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and technology, where innovation and security must go hand-in-hand, according to Michelle Levine, an Associate Vice President at the Center for Teaching Excellence & Learning who has been organizing the annual event since its inception.

"The theme challenges students to build solutions to real-world problems, protect people and information through cybersecurity and responsible technology practices, and innovate by exploring new ideas and emerging technologies," Levine said. "Ultimately, PlutoHacks encourages students to think beyond what technology can do and consider how it can be used safely and responsibly to make a meaningful impact."

In the weeks leading up to the hackathon, students attend workshops on subjects like 3D design and how to improve their presentations. Once the hackathon starts, they participate in interactive games and work with mentors, who are sometimes returning alumni giving back to the effort.

In the early days of PlutoHacks, Levine sought out local sponsors to offer prizes to winning teams. Now, sponsors include companies like Dell, Lenovo, AMD, and Cengage, along with local businesses. Prizes this year include 3D printers, computer monitors, and gift cards.

"We want to recognize students’ hard work and creativity with prizes that are both exciting and meaningful, while strengthening their connections with the industries they may one day work in," Levine said.

-BC-