How Michigan took hackathons by storm.

My initial instinct was to criticize this. I think that's some combination of feeling like hackathons are often a coarse method of exploitation and the feeling that this kind of boosterism may be overstated or unnecessary.

But the truth of the matter IMO is that this deserved to be recognized and celebrated. It's really exciting to see environments that expose people to the joy of making things and the realities of making things happen. This kind of culture was foreign at the major liberal arts universities I saw when I was an undergrad 5-10 years ago, and I think it's a positive change. Congrats!

Re: How Michigan took hackathons by storm.

#8

Post by octopi » Tue, May 28, 2013, 5:22 AM UTC

Given most of the post is about the quantity of Michigan students at hackathons or other events, I think it's worthwhile to mention how the school is also unique because it has the advantage of size: there are just so many students there.

I find Penn's breakout achievements far more impressive given their much smaller student body, as well as what Columbia/NYU have done with hackNY.

Re: How Michigan took hackathons by storm.

#9

Post by gailees » Tue, May 28, 2013, 5:27 AM UTC

hammerzeit wrote: post #7

My initial instinct was to criticize this. I think that's some combination of feeling like hackathons are often a coarse method of exploitation and the feeling that this kind of boosterism may be overstated or unnecessary. But the truth of the matter IMO is that this deserved to be recognized and celebrated. It's really exciting to see environments that expose people to the joy of making things and the realities of m…

I 100% agree. Bringing someone who has never built something to their first hackathon completely introduces them to a whole new world of possibilities.

One of the most rewarding things I've ever done.

Re: How Michigan took hackathons by storm.

#10

Post by chriwend » Tue, May 28, 2013, 5:34 AM UTC

octopi wrote: post #8

Given most of the post is about the quantity of Michigan students at hackathons or other events, I think it's worthwhile to mention how the school is also unique because it has the advantage of size: there are just so many students there. I find Penn's breakout achievements far more impressive given their much smaller student body, as well as what Columbia/NYU have done with hackNY.

There are many state schools as large as Michigan, such as Penn State, Ohio State, University of Illinois. Illinois in particular actually has a larger CS department but their hackers don't come anywhere close to the turnout Michigan gets. None of the other large schools do. That being said, this shows how impressive of a feat this is for Penn and other small private schools.