HackaJax – Jacksonville’s Civic Hackathon – Kicks Off Jacksonville Innovation Week at the Main Library
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 11, 2016 – On Friday, Oct. 14, HackaJax will take place in the Jax Makerspace in the Main Library. Kicking off Jacksonville Innovation Week, HackaJax will bring together several teams of students from all local colleges – Edward Waters College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida – to compete for cash prizes to solve a real challenge that our community faces. The problem will not be revealed until that morning.
Presented by JaxCoE and United Way of Northeast Florida, HackaJax’s intention is to engage our future labor force in community collaboration. Kate Stewart, PhD, Executive Director of JaxCoE, stated, "We're excited about HackaJax. College students will work together and engage in solving real-life community problems and positively impacting Jacksonville. Many community partners are collaborating to make a difference. Our region can only benefit from this event!"
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 14
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Judging begins at 5 p.m.
WHERE: Jax Makerspace
First floor, Main Library
303 Laura St. N. – 32202
Continuous livestream provided by event sponsor, Jacksonville University -
livestream.com/accounts/21613719/hackajax
Students will have seven hours to research, discuss and formalize their solution. Several Jacksonville Public Library librarians will be available to assist with the research process by making competitors aware of online research databases the library provides and other resources within the library.
At 5 p.m., teams will present their ideas to a panel of distinguished community leaders who understand the problem and are in a position to influence the theme. The winning team members will win cash prizes and the opportunity to present their idea to a large audience the next day during the Innovation Connection Conference.
About Jax Makerspace
Collaboration, exploration and creation are the hallmarks of the new Jax Makerspace in the Main Library. It was born out of the need to foster Jacksonville’s diverse and vibrant arts and crafts community; to provide a shop where amateurs and experts with a fascination and curiosity for technology could team up; and to fuel the entrepreneurial spirit that makes our city thrive.
The Jax Makerspace, while in the initial stages of development, offers daily activities for musicians, hobbyists, techies, artists and anyone who wants to collaborate and learn something new.
The Jacksonville Public Library is committed to making its programs accessible to all persons. If you need special accommodations, please call 630-2665 (TTY 630-1999) at least 72 hours prior to the event.
About the Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than
3.4 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 5.9 million times, and nearly 11,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visitjaxpubliclibrary.org.
JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
303 Laura St. N.
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
630-2665
