In May 2022, we organised our first ever international virtual hackathon, the Solvay Global Hackathon, in partnership with Solvay. We challenged female students to create an invention that helps make water more accessible to a community. During a week of ideating, researching and prototyping, our young scientists discovered, explored and learned more about accessibility to safe and sustainable water for everyone around the world!
Solvay Global Hackathon in a nutshell
In the week-long sustainability hackathon, we invited participants for 3 days of live interactive sessions on different themes based on water. Students worked together with mentors and met scientists from Solvay, showing students how they can reimagine progress towards a circular economy!
“During our research, we saw a lot of ‘water is infected’ signs around the lakes. So, we thought we can make a little testing device which measures the mercury levels in water and keep people from drinking unsafe water.”
During independent learning days, our girls worked hard to bring their vision to reality. The ideas were unlimited and the enthusiasm was unmeasurable. They created empathy maps, prototyped their inventions, and connected with their STEM role models to receive feedback. The students were able to think about and understand the water issues in their own communities.
Our 19 Solvay role models volunteered to mentor the participants with their knowledge and assistance in order to hone the unique concepts. They were exceptional in terms of offering support and encouragement to think critically and ask more questions. Through one-on-one feedback sessions and live mentoring sessions, our mentors actively engaged the young audience to make sure everyone was making progress. Click here to find out more about our Solvay role models!
We concluded the hackathon with a special broadcast to honour all of the inventions and to recognise the hackathon winners. Our keynote speakers—Ilham Kadri, CEO of Solvay, Eun Mee Kim, President of Ewha Womans University, and Ilma Stankeviciute, Learning Programme Manager at Ellen MacArthur Foundation—joined the broadcast to inspire and motivate girls to dream big, challenge themselves, and follow their passion.
“We need you and your ideas because you are crucial to science and progress.”
The Winners
From a water filtration system to healing plaster to a water collector, participants created remarkable inventions to demonstrate their creativity and passion for the circular economy. Judged among multiple categories, Vedika Ramakrishnan was our Rising Star Grand Hackathon Winner. Her invention is designed to transform saltwater into drinkable water. Read more about her invention here!
Special mentions:
Most Relevant Invention: Marina Cioponea
Most Courageous Award: Emma Duran
Most Enthusiastic Participation: Rhythm Rajyaguru
Most Dedicated Inventor: Corrine Yang
Category winners:
Most Inventive Spirit: Nivedita Raj
Most Sustainable Invention: Aashna Anand and Julia Wellner
Most Engaging Voice: Yoon Lee and Erin Burm
Most Community Impact: Anika Garg
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