Spring is here, let's have a hackathon!
Please note: Attendance will be coordinated directly with educational organizations as the event approaches.
The goal of hack401 is to encourage participation in computer science by showcasing fun and engaging projects on different topics. Structured workshops can be invaluable when helping create an engaging and inclusive environment for people of varying abilities and interpersonal connections. A well-planned workshop sets its participants on a course toward learning and delivering a tangible outcome for their time invested. For this first event, we are hosting four workshops around the themes of virtual reality and music technology.
Participants will create digital versions of objects that are quintessentially Rhode Island and put them in a web page for viewing by all. This workshop will cover 3D space, scanning, the basic components of a 3D recreated object and cleaning a mesh, as well as how to work with 3D objects in HTML using A-frame, an open source framework for building VR experiences into the web.
Participants in this workshop will learn how to create virtual tours using Google Tour Creator and how to share those tours via the web and VR headsets. At the end of the workshop participants will have an understanding of panoramas, virtuals tours, various virtual tour creation tools and how to reproduce the virtual tour creation experience at home.
This workshop will explore multitrack recording using SoundTrap a collaborative audio workstation. Participants will learn the basics about audio recording (microphones, digital interfaces, signals, volume / gain, panning, mixing) and sequencing (clipping, looping, arranging, editing, layering). These are the basic tools necessary to record your own music, and serves as a great exercise in seeing foundational music technology in action.
Ever wonder how synthesizers and digital effects work? This workshop will cover the science of sound using the Python, a user friendly programming language. Participants will get an introduction to Python by working with audio signals, through generation, visualization, and manipulation. Computers will be provided – the only requirements are determination and an excitement for music!
Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions or ideas!
| 9:00a | Check-in |
| 10:00a | Welcome Remarks |
| 10:15a | Morning Hacking
VR-A1 – Basics of Photogrammetry
VR-B1 – Creating Virtual Tours
MT-A1 – Drum Programming and Recording
MT-B1 – Synthesizing Sounds |
| 12:00p | LUNCH |
| 1:00p | Afternoon Hacking
VR-A2 – WebVR Basics
VR-B2 – Sharing Virtual Tours via VR & Web
MT-A2 – Looping and Arranging
MT-B2 – Digital Audio Effects |
| 3:00p | BREAK |
| 3:15p | Group Hacking |
| 5:00p | Demos! |
| 6:30p | Closing Remarks and Goodbyes |
A “hack” “marathon”, is where people create a project or product along some kind of theme. This is done in a concentrated amount of time. Wikipedia has a decent overview of hackathons in general but ours is a bit unique.
The goal of hack401 is to encourage participation in computer science by showcasing fun and engaging projects on different topics. Structured workshops can be invaluable when helping create an engaging and inclusive environment for people of varying abilities and interpersonal connections. A well-planned workshop sets its participants on a course toward learning and delivering a tangible outcome for their time invested. For this first event, we are hosting four workshops around the themes of virtual reality / augmented reality and music technology.
Anyone in high school between ages 14--19 in RI. No experience or prior tech knowledge necessary. We will accommodate youth from all backgrounds and skill sets!
Bring a cell phone, laptop, tablet, headphones and their chargers and of course your imagination. If you do not have any of this tech, no worries, we’ll bring extra :D.
hack401 is exploring two themes, Music Technology and Virtuality Reality. The week leading up to the event we will reveal the projects you could work on within in either category and give you the power to choose. Teams will be mixed with students from around the entire state. At the end of the day, teams will share what they’ve built.
YOU DO!
hack401 seeks to build awareness of the latest tech, access and opportunities to learn and make, and create connections in our very active community.
hack401 is made possible with with a coalition of partners including Citizens Bank, Institute of Entrepreneurship & Leadership (IEL), Rhode Island Virtual Reality (RIVR), STEAM Box and Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS.
You've heard about what we're doing. You love what you're experiencing. You and/or your organization want to sponsor/host/lead a workshop. Please reach out with your information and we'll be in touch:
Our vision is for hack401 to continue to thrive as a regular community run event, building awareness and access to the latest tech, access and opportunities to learn and make, and create connections in our very active community.
Thanks so much for your interest!
hack401 is made possible by our generous sponsors and collaborators!