MakeOHI/O returns for 2017
With this simple motto, the annual MakeOHI/O student hardware-orientated hackathon at The Ohio State University has grown exponentially each year. In fact, because of popular demand, registration actually closed early.
Since 2015, the event has attracted more than 100 technically-minded students. Each one looking to challenge their classroom skills in a hands-on learning marathon, held alongside their classmates, industry reps and faculty mentors. Designing, building and communicating engineering concepts in 24 sleepless hours is the ultimate goal.
The 2017 MakeOHI/O is once again scheduled for the weekend of March 4 and 5, at the spacious Knowlton Hall on Ohio State campus.
“It was a very rewarding experience and it was very eye-opening what we could do in just 24 hours,” winning contestant, Priyanka Ganesh, said about her time participating in the 2016 MakeOHI/O.
Ganesh helped her team create an affordable American Sign Language Translator Glove that converts hand movement into text on a computer.
Other highlights have included highly-engineered beer pong contraptions, music instruments and games powered by laser, voice-activated coffee pots, wi-fi drones, and even an automatic spaghetti and sauce maker that even Doc from Back to the Future would be proud of.
Organizers said they were looking for more sponsors, mentors and students to help take this year’s event to the next level.
MakeOHI/O coordinator and electrical and computer engineering student, J. Martin Troth, said the 2017 event again features free food and over $1,000 in prizes. Students aren’t required to have any previous hardware experience or materials, just show up with a promising idea and get started.
“Makeathon alumni know to come prepared to make something that captures the imagination, breaks technical barriers, and shows off your creative skills,” Troth said. “In case you’ve never been to a Hackathon or Makeathon, don’t worry – we will have plenty of resources available and people for you to work with. Seriously, no experience needed.”
Sponsored in part by Harris Corporation, Battelle and the Ohio State Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the MakeOHI/O also creates a good opportunity for students to show off their skills in front of corporate sponsors – always seeking out the next round of future engineers after graduation.
To learn more and register, visit the MakeOHI/O website at:
Watch a video from last year’s Makeathon:
Register to be a judge at the MakeOHI/O MeetUp event, held by the Ohio State ECE Alumni Association:
Media representatives contact:
Ryan Horns, OhioStateECE PR Coordinator, at horns.1@osu.edu or (937) 844-6043
J. Martin Troth, student organizer, troth.9@osu.edu, (614) 940-2616
They can help with questions or information regarding the best times to catch the engineers in action Saturday and Sunday.
