Lorain High School sophomore Romel Martin (right) and his 2022 TECH CORPS Hackathon mentor Adeline Dascoli, a systems analyst at Barents. (Submitted)
TECH CORPS will hold its first mobile app hackathon on Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Lorain County Community College, 1005 N. Abbe Road in Illyria, according to a news release.
TECHCORPShack is free and open to Lorain County high school students, with priority given to students who live in Illyria, Lorain or Oberlin, the release states.
No prior technology experience required.
In fact, according to the release, one of TECHCORPShack’s goals is to provide a safe and supportive environment where students can learn more about technology.
There is no cost to attend, and students will receive meals, snacks and swag on the day of the event, the release states.
Winning team members will receive a $1,000 prize.
For more information, visit techcorps.org/23tchack.
Illyria’s TECHCORPShack is sponsored by the Nordson Corporation Foundation, supported by WillowTree Apps, powered by Swift, and its community partner is OhioX.
This year marks the fifth time this hackathon has been held, but the first time it has been held in Illyria.
Nordson Corporation Foundation, a longtime TECH CORPS partner, has supported Techie Camp for middle school students since 2014, the release states.
Starting in 2023, the Nordson Corporation Foundation has also launched support programs for high school students, including TECHCORPShack, according to the release.
“The Nordson Corporation Foundation’s executive director, Cecilia H. Lender, said in a release: “I think it’s important to understand and create technology, not just use it.
“We hope that through the hackathon at Illyria, our students will find in-house technologists who can positively change the world.”
Romell Martin is a 10th grader at Lorain High School and was part of the winning team at the 2022 Hackathon in Cleveland.
According to the release, Romelu and his teammates developed an app called “Recyccofact” that helps users discover the impact of plastic pollution on the environment.
This app empowers users through educational facts that can prevent the ocean and animals from being in danger.
Romell said he understands the value of participating in and winning the TECH CORPS Mobile App Hackathon.
“Competing in the 2022 TECHCORPShack was a team-building experience,” he said in the release. “As a football player, I understand the importance of teamwork, and working with his team at Hackathon gave me a deeper understanding.
“Every team member’s role in the app development was expanded and was essential to the app’s success.”
Romell will be competing on Illyria’s home field this year and is looking forward to seeing his other high school friends join him.
Students can register for the 2023 TECHCORPShack at bit.ly/23tchackathon.
TECHCORPShack coding events offer high school students the opportunity to learn about computer science in a fun, engaging, and inclusive environment while competing in teams to create apps that address real-world problems and needs.
TECH CORPS National Executive Director Lisa M. Chambers said in the release: “One of her goals with TECHCORPShack is to recruit students with little coding experience who have traditionally been underrepresented in high school technology classes.”
Through the event, students will learn how to use mobile app development tools and receive support and guidance from technology volunteers in the community, Chambers said.
Technology experts are needed as volunteers at hackathons. For more information, visit bit.ly/23tchack.
For more information, visit www.techcorps.org to learn more or connect with TECH CORPS on social media @techcorpsUS.