Recycling App Wins Broward College Hackathon 2016

DAVIE, FL (October 18, 2016) – More than 60 students from Broward College, Miami Dade College and Florida Atlantic worked together in twelve teams to develop a range of applications and software during the second annual 24-hour Hackathon this past weekend. “Best Overall” was awarded to Team Use-Full for its mobile application, Waste Naught.

“Equipping our younger generations with the tools to master current technology and improve upon it is paramount to having a successful business economy in South Florida,” said Broward College President J. David Armstrong, Jr. “From cell phones to toasters, technology is a big part of our lives. I am proud of the initiative shown by all the participating students in this year’s Hackathon and I commend them for their creativity.”
 
The 24-hour Hackathon, sponsored by Ultimate Software, Inc., featured a number of workshops to help the students develop their projects, while technology experts provided mentorship and guidance on the use of different platforms and programming as well as project presentation tips. Students were allowed to participate regardless of their area of study or prior computer programming experience

Manager of Innovation- Product Strategy at Ultimate Software Joseph Cutrono, President of Code Explorers Maria de Pena and Broward College Innovation Hub Director Enrique Triay served as judges during the final presentations. They selected five outstanding projects for awards in the following categories – 

• Best Overall: Waste Naught a mobile application which provides innovative ideas for individuals and communities to create new projects from unwanted or old products. Student creators: Arrianna Davis, Joshua Pagunsan, Tangy Frederick and Tadmar Dixon.
• Most Innovative Idea: BC Robotics, an autopilot software which sends commands to smart phones and appliances to complete tasks. The students complemented their presentation with a prototype that was able to execute simple commands. Student creators: Dylan Reese, Rob Eassey, Sam Zaldivar, Marc Goldbach and Catherine Chin-Quee.
• Best Presentation: Wing M8, an application allowing users to network and find new friends and interest groups.  Student creators: Martin Rysan, Matthew Ryan, Nick Price and DJ Quinn.
• Crowd Favorite: BC Reactive, an interactive map of Broward College providing students with directions, update on events and emergency alerts.  Student creators: Chimere Mack, Hanna Lee,
Brandon Shirah,
Angel Delacruz and
Miguel Jimenez.
• Code for a Cause, this prize is awarded to a project addressing a social or civic need related to sustainability, education, public health or transportation: Team Educ8 created a streaming website which incorporates a chat room and messaging center offering individual and group tutoring services to students. Student creators: Zeus Cortes, Marcos Herrero, Jason Davila and Alexander Mendoza.

In addition to Ultimate Software, Inc., sponsors for the Hackathon included Synechron and Cengage. Support was also received from The Pizza Loft, Buca di Beppo Jimmy John’s Sandwiches, Publix and Microsoft.

Note: Winners are available for interview upon request. 

– BC –