cognitiveHackathon [unconventional computing] @ FAU
Lab at FAU: https://mpcrlab.com/, https://www.fau.edu/sandbox/
ONLY APPROVED ATTENDEES WILL BE ALLOWED IN TO OUR EVENT.
Unlearn to learn.™
Ekkolápto's™ next August cognitiveHackathon™ gathers brilliant minds for a weekend to solve and publish their new discoveries!
Awards for Best Demo: $500 CASH PRIZE to 1st place, $250 to 2nd, and $125 to 3rd.
Award for Best Idea: $100 CASH PRIZE.
Award for Best Presentation: $100 CASH PRIZE.
Winners can go on to compete at our championship for a higher prize in Cambridge, MA.
🧠 TOPICS:
This month's event focuses on producing theories or demos for unorthodox forms of computing, cognition, biology, and languages, such as:
• Reversible computing, DNA and bio/neuro-inspired computing, bio-inspired algorithms, caustic computing, color computing, computing languages, thermodynamic computing, distributed computing, particle swarm optimization, reservoir computing, photonics, lithographic computing, fluid computing, cryptographic computing, claytronics, spintronics, molecular computing, origami computing, and much much more. Be wild, be creative, and most importantly have fun with it!
• Why join? Hackathons are great for learning new skills, meeting like-minded people, opening doors, and even building your résumé. You may meet a collaborator, mentor, investor, or create an idea for the next big startup or scientific breakthrough!
• Have an existing idea or theory? This is your opportunity to have a bit of fun and develop it! If you can't make a demo that's okay–building and presenting your theory can be equally impactful.
• Unsure of what you want to do? Find inspiration and bounce ideas amongst the mentor network and your fellow participants.
• Structure? Work as a lone-wolf or team up! Goal is to have fun and create something interesting. Bring along your phones, tablets, or laptops!
🗓️ SCHEDULE:
• Friday 8/23 from 5PM-10PM: Kickoff. Meet other participants and start bouncing ideas! Stay as long as you'd like.
• Saturday 8/24 from 9AM-10PM: Intense building. Make something amazing!
• Sunday 8/25 from 9AM-1PM: More building + finishing touches.
• Sunday 8/25 from 1PM-3PM: Demos + Presentations. Projects will be shared on X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and arXiv!
• Sunday 8/25 from 3PM-4PM: Awards
• Sunday 8/25 from 4PM-6PM: Closing Remarks + Networking
⭐️ DETAILS:
• Hungry? Food, coffee, and beverages are provided!
• Where: FAU Boca. Located on the 3rd floor of SE-314 at FAU's Boca Campus. Follow the FAU site here for the map with a pinned location: https://myfau.fau.edu/u/map/index?state=detail&feed=fau_maps&id=02f055ef-3aca-5fa0-b9fe-cc5e88870f2e
If you do not register online and are not accepted you WILL NOT be allowed in.
• Parking: Lot 4, 2, and 96N. These are closest to Engineering East, the College of Medicine, and FAU's Fitness & Recreation Center.
Please bring your phones, laptops, or tablets for working! If you have custom dietary choices, you are also welcome to take your food of choice with you.
• Who can attend: Anyone of any educational background, field, or age who likes solving ambitious problems with unorthodox solutions! STEM or the arts are welcomed. In particular, interdisciplinary thinkers from computer science, engineering, economics, finance, math, physics, biology, neuroscience, or philosophy may find this event more enjoyable as you get to meet students, professors, entrepreneurs, and investors.
• Suggested Donation: As a student-led hackathon we're working hard to make sure everyone has a really good time. Any donation to help support food, drinks, and awards would be wonderful! 😀