Application FAQ: NBCUniversal Social Hack (June 23–24, 2017)
Learn about our nonprofit partners, Per Scholas and Move for Hunger, and how media and technology can support their missions
Developers, designers and data scientists are invited to apply their skills to help prototype solutions for real-world problems at the NBCUniversal Social Hack. This hackathon invites participants to choose between two prototyping tracks, each led by a nonprofit partner: 1) User Experience + Mobile/Web Development with Move For Hunger and 2) Data Science + Data Visualization with Per Scholas.
NBCUniversal believes innovation is good for communities. By supporting nonprofits, social entrepreneurs, and community organizations, NBCUniversal can use the power of media and technology to help solve important social issues in communities of need. As the application deadline approaches, please find more detailed information regarding our nonprofit partnerships and their goals for working with hackathon participants to accelerate their missions.
HACKATHON DATES, LOCATION, PRIZES
The hackathon will take place on Friday June 23 from 6:00pm — 9:00pm and Saturday June 24 from 9:00am — 9:00pm.
Venue: Civic Hall, 118 West 22nd Street, 12th Fl, New York, NY 10011
On Friday June 23, the hackathon will officially kick off with developer, designer and data scientist attendees from across NYC’s university campuses and beyond. Teams will assemble themselves and introduce their concept to the audience on Friday evening with the goal of working on their concepts ideas all day on Saturday June 24.
On June 24, the hackathon will begin with breakfast, a pep talk and a technical partner workshop. During lunch, teams can meet with Mentors from NBCUniversal and the nonprofit partners. The teams will hack through the afternoon. All hacking will end at 5:30pm which will lead to the project demos, the judging and then ultimately, the prize ceremony and closing reception.
PRIZES FOR WINNING TEAMS FOR EACH TRACK
- Grand prize = $3,000
- First prize = $1,500
- Second prize = $1,000
ADDITIONAL PRIZES
- Tour of NBCUniversal at 30 Rock
- Coffee chat with an NBCUniversal technology executive
Apply online here. Applications are due Friday, June 9th.
Move for Hunger
Move for Hunger is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works with relocation companies to collect non-perishable food items, and deliver it to food banks all across North America. Many people throw out a good deal of “stuff” when they move. Unfortunately, a lot of this “stuff” is food that could be delivered to a family in need rather than discarded. By teaming up with relocation companies across the country, Move For Hunger is creating one of the nation’s largest year-round service programs. Moving companies offer to pick up unwanted, non-perishable food items from their clients and deliver the items to their local food banks. Learn More: https://moveforhunger.org/
How can Move for Hunger use mobile UI/UX experiences to help its 750 moving parters and the general public start a food drive?
Move for Hunger is interested in an application that could help its moving partners and patrons easily opt into a campaign. Basic information such as customer information and location is being collected, but it can be visualized in a more user and staff friendly way. Move for Hunger is also interested in a platform that is social, which could allow for self-direction. How can we help moving partners promote themselves and their business? How can we help patrons prompt themselves to start a food drive?
What are the creative ways data can help moving residents understand their options?
How can we make sure more people understand that they can donate their food when they move? How can we use online storytelling to help them explore the food drive options available to them in their communities? Participants will have access to analytics such as Google and Salesforce data, which give further insights into Move for Hunger partners and patrons, that can help in developing a UI/UX experience.
How can UI/UX designs of food drive process to encourage further participation?
Move for Hunger is less interested in showing the logistics of the food drive, and more interested in the journey that the food makes from a cabinet in a home to a family in need. Hackathon participants should consider the best way to visualize and tell the story of this process. What is the artistic spin?
Is there an example my team can watch that is relevant to Move for Hunger’s UI/UX storytelling goals?
“A recent video from the Natural Resources Defense Council tells the story of one strawberry’s journey from farm to trash can. The video follows the strawberry as it’s taken from a crop field to the supermarket to the back of a family’s fridge, where it grows moldy and inedible.” — watch it online via The Huffington Post here.
Per Scholas
Per Scholas is a national nonprofit that drives positive and proven social change in communities across the country. Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training and professional development, we prepare motivated and curious adults who are unemployed or underemployed for successful careers as IT professionals, and we create on-ramps to businesses in need of their talents. Learn More: https://perscholas.org/
How can data visualization incentivize professional networking between alumni?
Per Scholas has a network of over 2,000 alumni. Nationally 85% of Per Scholas participants graduate, with 80% of the alumni moving on to positions within 4 months. A tool that can help us understand effective ways to connect with our alumni network and help them stay engaged with each other as they continue in their career path.
What does the career track of a Per Scholas alum look like?
Per Scholas alums typically graduate within 8–16 weeks depending on the type of training they have received. 80% of graduates are typically certified by an industry recognized certification network that assures technology employers they have the aptitude and necessary skills required in their field. Alumni will be placed with an employer partner within four months but always has the opportunity to receive internal training or return to Per Scholas for additional certifications. Our most successful alumni leverage their relationships with Per Scholas employer partners in addition to up-skilling their talent, receiving additional certifications on the way, to build a successful career in tech.
How do we create innovative tools for alumni tools to keep them engaged?
A tool that can engage alumni on a regular basis with their network of peers, that could also send data back internally for further analysis, would be beneficial to Per Scholas. From a public facing perspective, data visualization could be used to tell the broader story of alumni success. Per Scholas is also interested in interactive features that can help incentivize alumni to stay engaged upon graduation and to further promote the organization’s mission to potential participants.
What are some additional questions that might inform to my team’s idea?
Per Scholas is considering questions such as: How can you build an alumni network with an emphasis on sector-based trainings and strengthening career pathways in technology, similar to networks that exist in a university setting? How can we effectively track and measure success of graduates who are now working in major companies?
General Questions
If I apply as an individual, how will I be able to join a team?
If you apply in as an individual, NYC Media Lab will match you with other appropriate team members. You will be matched with other individuals with complimentary skillsets so that each team has a diverse range of perspectives and talents.
When will participants receive the training data?
You will receive training data within a week following your acceptance to the Hackathon.
What are the prizes?
Awards will be issued to Grand ($3,000), First ($2,000), and Second ($1,000) place finalists in a concluding demo session.
How will participants receive mentorship?
Mentors from NBCUniversal Media Labs, Move For Hunger, Per Scholas and NYC Media Lab will be available at the hackathon to provide mentorship regarding the prototyping challenges. The hackathon will also feature technology workshops with Amazon and Salesforce. A schedule of the workshops will be provided to participating teams upon acceptance. Participants should expect to gain a full overview of using both Salesforce and Amazon tools in hopes that the lessons might shape their prototypes.
How can I communicate with key mentors?
Upon acceptance, you will be invited to a Slack channel where representatives from NBCUniversal Media Labs, Move For Hunger, Per Scholas, NYC Media Lab, Amazon and Salesforce will be available to answer remaining questions.
Can our initial idea fluctuate throughout the weekend?
NYC Media Lab anticipates that your idea will change and develop throughout the 2-day hackathon. However, please be prepared to apply in with an idea or concept that is feasible given the time-frame of the hackathon.
What happens after the hackathon?
There may be potential to advance your concept and/or prototype further with the nonprofit partners. NYC Media Lab encourages hackathon participants to stay in touch as well regarding the Lab’s upcoming open calls.
Apply online here for NBCUniversal Social Hack. Applications are due Friday, June 9th.
Contact Amy Chen, amy.chen@nycmedialab.org, with any additional questions.
