#edufoodhack - Hybrid hackathons on food waste

<< Background >>We applied for this project to support teachers in orchestrating hybrid and challenge-based learning experiences requiring significant skills and expertise. Educators face challenges creating engaging, collaborative, and accessible learning environments, especially when addressing real-world problems like food waste. Due to logistical constraints, traditional hackathons are often inaccessible to students in rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for digital collaboration skills. We aim to equip teachers with the necessary tools and knowledge to conduct hybrid hackathons by developing comprehensive support materials, including a playbook and training.This project meets the need for enhanced teacher support and prepares students to collaborate, innovate, and act on pressing environmental issues, thereby supporting the digital and green transformation Europe requires.<< Objectives >>Our overall objective is to develop and disseminate expertise on creating and conducting hybrid hackathons in a European context, focusing on real-world problems like food waste. The specific objectives encompass the project's scope: 1. To identify and collect best practices for hybrid hackathons, encompassing technological, pedagogical, and organizational aspects. 2. To prepare and train teachers to effectively conduct hybrid hackathons. 3. To facilitate a hybrid hackathon focused on the real-world issue of food waste. 4. To disseminate the expertise gained from this project to a wider audience.5. To promote broader participation in #edufoodhacks across Europe. These objectives were designed to enhance teachers' abilities to create accessible and impactful learning experiences and to engage students in collaborative problem-solving on a European scale.<< Implementation >>We implemented several key activities in our project. First, we researched to gather effective hybrid hackathon practices and developed a comprehensive playbook. We then created specific hackathon content materials focused on food waste, including challenge cases and support materials. Next, we provided preparatory training for teachers to equip them with the skills to conduct hybrid hackathons. Following this, we facilitated our first hybrid hackathon involving more than 100 Spanish and Dutch secondary school students. Finally, we compiled an evaluation report and organised online and in-person dissemination events to share our findings and promote participation in future #edufoodhacks.<< Results >>This project significantly enhanced the expertise of participating organisations in conducting hybrid hackathons. We compiled our research into a comprehensive playbook, gathered hackathon content materials, and trained teachers. We also developed a web application for teachers and students, providing an all-in-one platform for hybrid hackathons. All results are available as open-source under the CC4.0 license.These preparations led us to conduct our first hybrid hackathon, held from December 11th to 14th, 2023, which involved over 100 students from Spain and the Netherlands, and seven challenge owners addressing food waste. Learnings were documented in an online playbook and an evaluation report.Materials were disseminated widely, leading to strategic consultations to expand the #edufoodhack movement. Partner schools are planning further hackathons, with the following #edufoodhack scheduled for November 2024. This project successfully launched our shared vision and laid the groundwork for future initiatives.