DISCOVER. INNOVATE. IMPACT.
The S.T.E.A.M. Achievers Purpose Hackathon is a one-day coding and career boot camp that brings together public, private and charter school students, grades 3-12, with community leaders for a common good!
This year’s theme is #HackAutism, and will offer students immersive, interactive and hands-on experiences learning how to code and design video games for children and youth with autism. Each student group will join a company-led team and work together to solve game design challenges using one of five industry-leading programming languages; Java, JavaScript, Python, Alice, and Scratch.
This is a public event available to any student and their parents! There is no technology-specific experience required to participate. Children and youth on the autism spectrum are joyfully welcomed to attend with a parent.
Check out the press release for the 2019 Hackathon.
NEW THIS YEAR:
Parent Session led by Dr. Clinton Smith, UT Southwestern/Children’s Medical Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities “Panel Discussion: A New Approach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion”
Among other benefits, students will:
Acquire new, in-demand coding skills
Work side-by-side with executive and professional leaders in S.T.E.A.M.-related careers and companies
Build confidence for themselves and kids affected by autism spectrum disorder
Make new friends and meet community leaders
Have fun learning about exciting careers in the sciences
Participate in engaging & interactive exhibits
And so much more!
Students will be get hands-on experience as they learn relevant coding skills used by the industry's leading video game designers. assigned into small teams led by community volunteers.
Students will participate in a medical boot camp by UT Southwestern medical professors to explore exciting career paths in science.
including Microsoft, Alliant of Technology & Women (DFW ATW), AT&T, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Fujitsu, University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), UT Southwestern (UTSW) and more!
Video game recipients include University of North Texas Kristin Farmer Autism Center, National Autism Association and others.
Microsoft & Fujitsu representatives will bring science to life with interactive exhibits that help students understand the brain and human physiology.
Video game recipients include University of North Texas Kristin Farmer Autism Center, National Autism Association and others.
Experience real, human brains! Dr. Anastasia Bobilev, Department of Psychiatry, Post Doctoral Research and her team from UT Southwestern will display a real brain exhibit to highlight and demonstrate the physiological effects of autism in the brain and body. In addition, students will receive education about neuroscience and other exciting career opportunities in the sciences.
Students will be able to participate fully interactive artificial intelligence exhibit by Microsoft that leads them inside the heart and blood pathways of a person with autism. Students will use AI to explore and understand the full range of physiological experiences that a child with autism might encounter.
Fujitsu, a worldwide leader in innovation, will discuss the world of advancing technology and the practical application of augmented reality in a futuristic exhibit that is sure to capture the attention and imagination of our students!
This year, we’re offering parents an opportunity to participate in our cause! Dr. Clinton Smith, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at UT Southwestern/Children’s Health Dallas Center For Autism and Developmental Disabilities will lead an interactive panel discussion of experts as they discuss the problems and challenges affecting the autism community.