{"id":226569,"date":"2025-03-17T07:01:57","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T11:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=226569"},"modified":"2025-03-20T16:14:32","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T20:14:32","slug":"hackuconn-turns-students-into-problem-solvers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/03\/hackuconn-turns-students-into-problem-solvers\/","title":{"rendered":"HackUConn Turns Students into Problem Solvers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Teams of undergraduates proved their mettle and creativity as they left their mark on the annual HackUConn event, held this year over the course of a weekend that ended earlier this month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Billed as \u201cUniversities of Tomorrow,\u201d the annual hackathon offered students a chance to apply their own solutions to issues in modern academia. The teams had 20 hours to apply their own ingenuity and talents and apply advanced technology, such as laser cutters and 3D printers, to accomplish their tasks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Universities
The winning teams of the 2025 HackUConn “Universities of Tomorrow” challenge. Photo contributed by Aaron Rosman.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Additionally, the teams received mentorship from staff of the Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, several departments on campus, as well as UConn\u2019s Technology Commercialization Services (TCS). The latter is the technology transfer and entrepreneurship wing of the Office of the Vice President for Research.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The competition took place in the Werth Residence Tower in UConn\u2019s Hilltop residence hall complex. About 75 students took part in the event, which included guest speakers and invaluable opportunities for the teams to interact with industry professionals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Aaron Rosman \u201916 (CAHNR) \u201921 MBA , the Werth Institute\u2019s operation manager and fiscal officer, worked with the Institute\u2019s students to plan and implement the competition. Their approach was simple: pose challenges based on the issues and realities impacting UConn undergraduates. From there, teams build on the talents and skills of the individual members, including first-time participants as well as experienced hackers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur biggest goal is that this an event for students by students,\u201d says Rosman. \u201cThe student planning team can learn everything from how to get funding from sponsors to logistically planning an event. We try to provide students with as many skills as possible. They choose the theme every year, and no two years are alike.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUniversities of Tomorrow\u201d focused on three categories that the teams could explore:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n