Laser cutting machinery at Tog. Image: Connor McKenna
One of Dublin’s biggest hackathons returns this year, with Science Hack Day Dublin taking place on 19 and 20 November – free for anyone to attend.
Having first burst onto the scene here in Ireland in 2012, Science Hack Day Dublin is a branch of a single great hackathon, offering scientists, engineers, programmers and designers the opportunity to brainstorm and find solutions for scientific issues.
The origins of the event date back to 2010, when former Inspirefest speaker Ariel Waldman became frustrated with the fact that despite a lot of science data being developed, no one was doing anything with it.
Now spread across 30 cities and 19 countries, Waldman spoke of Science Hack Day as “all about being sparks for future ideas” and the people of Dublin can try their hand at it on 19 and 20 November.
Lasting for a full 36 hours, the hackathon will take place in the Tog Hackerspace in Dublin 8 – recently featured in our Tech Tips series – whereby participants will be asked to give a quick pitch of what they want to create.
Team of stellar judges
After this, people band together into teams of between four and six people to begin developing these concepts. People drifting between teams in the beginning is expected, as people try to find a project they’re comfortable with.
Run by a team of dedicated volunteer engineers and creators, the Tog Hackerspace facilities have a whole range of different tools available for people to use, including laser cutters, 3D printers and even plastic ducks.
The event will be a competition with seven different award categories up for grabs. There will be some familiar faces on the judging panel, including Ann O’Dea, Claire O’Connell and EU Digital Girl of the Year 2015, Niamh Scanlon.
If you do happen to come up with an invention that could change the world, then fear not; all rights belong to the designer, not Tog Hackerspace.
You can now add your ideas beforehand at the Science Hack Day Dublin website or check out some of the projects from previous years.
