The first Providence Day School Hackathon welcomed over 170 PD students on Saturday, October 16, 2021. Small groups of participants in the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools had fewer than three hours to answer a prompt provided the morning of the Hackathon which challenged students to produce a solution to one specific underlying factor that contributes to homelessness in Mecklenburg County. PD parents Abhishek and Shweta Mehta via their company Tresata, with additional support from Andy and Christy Horwitz, generously sponsored the event.

After opening remarks, students gathered outdoors across campus in comfortable spaces to begin ideating with their teams about the myriad opportunities to design, innovate, and establish an entrepreneurial plan to address the issue of homelessness in Charlotte. Thanks to a huge volunteer turnout and support, the first Hackathon competition was a huge success and plans are in the works for a spring event open to the greater Charlotte community.

“As successful as the day was, the event didn’t end that Saturday,” said Dr. James Edge, the PD faculty sponsor of the Hackathon. “Students met throughout the week following the Hackathon to continue tackling problems. This event was a catalyst for students to start finding a solution to the problem and thinking creatively to reach the desired outcome.”

First, second, and third-place awards were given to students in each division. First-place winners received a medal, certificate, plaque recognition, and a picture with the Hackathon trophy. Second place winners received Barnes and Noble or Apple gift cards, and third place winners received a Ben and Jerry’s gift card. Click here for a list of the winning teams by division.

Special thanks to judges Yele Aluko, Abhishek Mehta, and Erin Nixon along with all of the preliminary round judges.