Are you looking for a way to put your tech skills to good use and help tackle the fallout of the COVID19 Crisis?
In our recent interview with Roshni Mahtani all about starting a new job during lockdown, she told us “I recommend seeking out more hackathons and tech initiatives and groups of people looking to design solutions for the current time. With the amount of support that the world needs, it is a time where experience is less important than passion, and it is a great time to learn firsthand while working on a project. You’ll gain invaluable experience as well as a support network.”
We couldn’t agree more, so we’ve listed 10 hackathons, events, projects and tech initiatives you can get involved with over the next few months.
1.NASA International Space Apps Challenge
Space Apps is an international hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, and others in cities around the world, where teams engage with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space.
This unique hackathon will bring people together to tackle COVID19 Using NASA data.
Keep an eye on their website for registration before it takes place on 30-31 May.
2.Frontline.live
Frontline live is using social media and open data to connect Healthcare Workers who need PPE with those who are creating it. If you’re a full stack developer, front end developer or you know USHAIDI well, you can express your interest in volunteering here.
3.Coding for change
EOSIO Hackathons are powered by EOSIO blockchain software, built by Block.one. Their ‘Coding for Change’ hackathon, which starts on 1st May is inviting designers, innovators, engineers, entrepreneurs, experts, and anyone who has an idea and wants to make a difference.
Register here before 1st May, when the specific challenge will be announced.
4.#NurseHack4Health
Presented by Society of Nurse Scientists, Innovators, Entrepreneurs & Leaders (SONSIEL), Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, and dev up – this hackathon takes place on 15-17 May. Bringing together nurses, other frontline health workers, IT, engineers, designers, entrepreneurs – it aims to help solve COVID19 healthcare challenges.
Register here before 15 May, where you can browse the challenges which will be addressed.
5.The Coronavirus Tech Handbook
The Coronavirus Tech Handbook is a crowdsourced library of tools, services and resources relating to COVID-19 response. This rapidly evolving invites you to both use the resources listed and contribute to it. You can use the tools listed and browse projects, hackathons and other tech initiatives listed. Similarly, you can join the team who are keeping the project going or contribute additional resources to it.
6.Silicon Brighton – Online
This might require less of an active contribution of your tech skills, but it’s a great opportunity to contribute to an NHS fundraiser, while learning at home. The online conference is bringing together tech, insights and leaders through a vast array of topics.
Register for your free place here and you can add a voluntary donation here.
7.#HackBack, powered by What The Hack
A hackathon designed to help support SMEs and Startups during the Covid crisis recovery, #HackBack takes place on May 30 – 31. The key will be on identifying the issues that small businesses and startups will face as they come out of the COVID19 lockdown. Both individuals and businesses can apply, by May 24.
8.#OpenDataSavesLives
Hosted by ODI Leeds, a Node of the Open Data Institute – this weekly session is held, to work out how to get a local perspective and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. This group will also look at what can be actively done with tech and open data, on a local level.
Register your attendance and view what has previously been discussed here.
9.Covid19 hackathons on Devpost
This resource pulls together all the hackathons and digital initiatives published on devpost.com, in response to COVID19. You can also search by keyword and location.
10.Essential Journey Travel Assistant
This tech project aims to help people plan safe travelling in order to make journeys a little easier during lockdown. The team are looking for volunteers to help deploy the Travel Assistant in various scenarios and communities and to help configure bespoke routes taking into account social distancing restrictions. They are also in need of data scientists to take travel forecast data, and overlay local Covid-19 cases and create a ‘travel attribution model.
If you’re interested in getting involved, you can get in touch here.
BONUS: #YouthvsCovid Hackathon
The Teens in AI COVID-19 Global Hackathon is an opportunity for young people aged 12-24 and the wider machine learning community to join the global movement that drives social impact, with the aim of tackling some of the challenges related to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
All their slots have been taken but you can apply as a speaker if you have experience in AI & data science, Technology, Ethics or Entrepreneurs.
