November 18, 2024
In the computing and information fields, finding success comes from building skills and knowledge both inside and outside the classroom. SCI hosts events that allow students to demonstrate their expertise by designing impactful projects, and the annual SteelHacks hackathon is a prime example. SteelHacks XI took place Sept. 28-29, at Benedum Hall, attracting more than 200 student participants from across the country.
“The energy from students was huge this year,” said Quentin Romero Lauro, Co-Executive Director of SteelHacks. “I think students are drawn to events like these because it’s an opportunity like no other to engage in fun activities, build useful technologies, and be a part of the community. We’ve created an event where people of all backgrounds across the nation can come together to solve real problems with technology.”
SteelHacks, hosted by the Computer Science Club at Pitt in partnership with SCI, lets students work in teams to design new technologies with specific goals, called tracks. Throughout the hackathon weekend, students put their skills to the test, network, and may even walk away with new research and career opportunities, as is the case with CaliCo AI, the winner of the Best Demo with Breadboard by Google track. CaliCo AI personalizes results for students searching for events on and around campus. Using their interests and personalities, CaliCo AI tailors search results for each individual student.
“Something incredible about SteelHacks this year is that the CaliCo AI team has the opportunity to turn their project into a fully developed product alongside Google and the University,” said Romero Lauro. “While most hackathons just end with weekend projects, this is something that will be continued after the event and make a real impact for students at Pitt.”
In addition to academic and professional development, students forge new connections with fellow peers and participate in fun events, like a therapy dogs visit and a Bob Ross paint-along hosted by Major League Hacking.
“It was really important that we scheduled some fun, lighthearted activities into the weekend for hackers to get a mental break from all the coding and meet new friends,” said Olivia Terry, Director of Design.
Events like SteelHacks are important in fostering innovation and community at SCI. When students have the opportunity to come together and collaborate on tech-driven projects, they develop their skills, expertise, and build connections that benefit them throughout their academic experience and future careers. Hackathons like SteelHacks leave a lasting impact on the Pitt community and its students long after graduation.
SteelHacks XI Team:
- Quentin Romero Lauro, Co-Executive Director
- Brayden Nguyen, Co-Executive Director
- Delaney Scheidell, Director of Participant Experience
- Rachel Jan, Director of Sponsorship
- Akash Krishan, Director of Technology
- Olivia Terry, Director of Design
- Jeremy Luu, Director of Instagram Reels
- Daniel Cheng, Director of Outreach
- Insiah Kizilbash, Director of Operations
- Shreyash Ranjan, Director of Finance
- Nij Patel, Director of Judging and Awards
Learn about SteelHacks and this year’s winners and projects.