Rocky Hill School to Host High School Hack for Social Good

On October 26-27, 2018 Rocky Hill School will host a student-led Hack for Social Good event called: Hack the Power: Reduce | Reuse | Renew to tackle the United Nations Global Grand Challenge: Energy. A Hackathon is a time-bound event that brings together people with diverse backgrounds, interests, talents and expertise to explore a global grand challenge, and brainstorm to create a bold solution or innovation that addresses the problem.

Teams of 4-6 students from public, independent, and parochial schools will collaborate with industry experts, energy sector partners, and educators to pitch bold and new ideas around energy consumption, equitable access, and sustainability of power on our planet. This event is ideal for creative problem solvers; curious artists, scientists, writers, and entrepreneurs; and engaged citizens. Teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges. The winning team will receive the following:

• $500 cash prize directed to the social good venture of their choice
• Special invitation by LearnLaunch to intern at a startup company and build their professional network
• All access tour of Newport Biodiesel
• Internship at Power Docks and E2Sol with VIP tour of facilities
• Invitation to join CleanTech Open in 2019
• 1:1 with Senator Whitehouse to present the Winning Pitch Idea and Prototype
• 1:1 with Industry Expert Ramez Naam; investor in energy startups, author, speaker
• 1:1 College mentorship to level-up their application potential with Rocky HIll School College Counselor Tara Dowling

Special partners, speakers and advisers include:

• Sheldon Whitehouse, US Senator (RI)
• Jim Langevin, US Congressman (RI)
• Dan McKee, RI Lt. Governor
• Mike Steinmetz, Chief Cybersecurity Officer, Rhode Island Cybersecurity
• CLICK HERE for a list of additional special guests and mentors

Student participants will choose from three Energy Pathways: REDUCE | REUSE | RENEW and will...

• CONNECT across state schools to SHARE innovative ideas
• DESIGN bold solutions to the U.N. Global Energy Challenge
• HAVE FUN and LEARN something new
• COLLABORATE with industry mentors, friends, and energy titans as they WORK to make a difference in the world!

Music, food, engaging speakers, industry demos, and real-world problem solvers are all part of the dynamic 24-Hour experience to #HackThePower!

Why a Hackathon?

“This is an opportunity for students in both public and private schools from across Rhode Island to assemble and participate in a fun competition, to learn, and possibly do some good.” - Cortlandt Meyerson (Hackathon Founder, Class of 2020)