Random Hacks of Kindness: The mission of Random Hacks of Kindness Junior, Inc. (RHoKJr) is to empower students to use technology to positively impact the challenges facing local nonprofits in their communities. We do this by hosting one-day hackathons around the state where students (4th-8th grade) are paired with computer science mentors and nonprofit representatives to develop prototype smartphone apps for local charities. Using an MIT developed coding tool (http://appinventor.mit.edu/ explore/), students will learn the basics of app design, as well as the ideation and brainstorming process required to build a successful prototype mobile application. This program requires NO prior coding knowledge and is intended as a code-to-learn tool!. All students regardless of their computing background are welcome. At RHoKJr events students participate in eight hours of highly engaged collaboration.
Go to https://rhokjr.org/events/ to learn more about this and other upcoming events!
When: May 22nd, 8:30am-12:30pm VIRTUAL
Devices: Laptop preferred
What happens at our Hackathon? Take a look at our visual schedule, which is attached in this email.
The children, guided by Computer Science Mentors, actively participate with representatives from the nonprofit in the entire application development cycle:
- Agree on a specific issue to be addressed
- Gather information
- Design, prototype and code a smartphone app design with MIT App Inventor software
- Present their work in a display poster and demonstration of the app
In this process, they learn what the nonprofits do for the population they serve, apply technology to find solutions, collaboratively brainstorm and plan, and see results in the form of a prototype in a short period of time. All the while, they make new friends, build self-confidence, and get inspired for career opportunities.