Student Opinion/Feedback on Eco-Tech Hackathon from Aziza, Kaitlyn, Hayden, and Adithi

Aziza: Participating in the Eco-Innovators Hackathon hosted by STEM-all x SOWCoders was a great experience. From the moment I joined, I felt welcomed into a community that truly values collaboration and innovation. Their focus on inclusivity—emphasizing that anyone, regardless of their background, can contribute to STEM—made the event feel accessible and empowering. I not only learned new technical skills but also saw firsthand how STEM can be a powerful tool for solving real-world problems. The energy and passion from my peers and the mentors created an atmosphere where ideas flourished, and the focus was always on learning and growth. I’m excited to continue exploring ways to make a difference through technology!!

Kaitlyn: I had a great experience. Everyone was nice and excited to be there, and the teams put a lot of effort into their projects. We were able to accomplish a surprising amount in the time given!

Hayden: It was fun collaborating with my friend on a topic we both feel passionate about. Through cooperation, research, and creativity, I think we came up with some truly innovative ideas. Overall, this experience challenged me to learn more about what measures are currently in place to support environmental sustainability, which in turn inspired us to come up with ways to improve our Earth. 

Adithi: My experience with the Hackathon was a very positive one, as the mentors were incredibly easy to work with and supportive of our idea. I learnt a lot throughout the session, including the widespread impacts wildfires have, while having to be considerate about the natural environment when crafting a solution. It was incredibly interesting to research about, as it is something that has a heavy impact on New Jersey residents as well as its native wildlife. Presenting a solution to such a large problem, albeit at a small scale, felt like we were helping others a little bit. 

I hope to do this again next year, with a bit more knowledge about the technical aspect of presenting the idea, which is something I learnt during the other team's presentation. :)