What is SkyHack?
SkyHack is a weekend-long aviation focused design challenge. This event will enable you to explore issues in the aviation industry ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles, to pathogens on planes, to sustainability. Work together with students from multiple universities as you ‘hack’ and plan your way to various challenge stream prizes. This is a free event with food, refreshments and prizes. SkyHack is open to students from any U.S. university.
SkyHack is presented by the Design Innovation Initiative and the College of Aeronautics and Engineering at Kent State University.
SkyHack 2023 will be held November 3-5.
FAQs
Who can attend?
Students, 18 and older, (undergrad and graduate) from any U.S. university may participate. Other professionals who wish to be involved may come and mentor.
When is SkyHack?
November 3-5, 2023
Where is SkyHack?
Skyhack will be in the Design Innovation Hub at Kent State University. The building address is:
400 Janik Drive
Kent, OH 44242-0001
What is the cost?
Nothing! SkyHack is free for all to attend. We'll provide your meals and swag for the weekend, and in some cases we'll even provide travel reimbursement.
Available equipment?
- Labs: You will have access to a variety of labs within the Design Innovation Hub.
- Equipment: There will be a variety of equipment and hardware available. List to be posted soon
What are the rules?
Teams can consist of 2-6 students, and the entire project must be built at the event. You are welcome to come with a team already assembled or form a team at the event.
Get Involved
As a member of the Kent State community or industry partner, there are many ways to be a part of SkyHack.
Become A Sponsor
We offer two sponsorship levels for the event: Cirrus and Stratus. Sponsors at these levels have the opportunity to act as mentors, judges, and even develop challenge streams for the hackathon. We also have several hackathon activities and spaces available to sponsor at various giving levels if you would prefer to participate in those opportunities.
Showcase Your Organization
Signing up for the Industry Partner Showcase is a great way to introduce your organization to SkyHack particpants. Through participation in the showcase, your organization and other industry partners will get to meet and recruit participants for any open internships and professional experiences.
Mentor Students
Can't commit to a sponsorship? Attend SkyHack as a mentor! Our mentors provide valuable direction and feedback to student teams throughout the weekend. Being a mentor gives industry professionals the unique opportunity to meet and work with college students preparing to enter the work force.
Want to learn more about other ways to get involved?
Challenge Streams
Develop solutions based on the challenge stream of your choice.
Advanced Air Mobility
Find innovative ways to provide safe, efficient, and sustainable air transportation solutions for passengers and cargo.
Aerospace Redefined
Address challenges connected to the exploration of Mars, the Moon, and beyond by prototyping innovations that might include the development of spacecraft, habitats, and technologies for human colonization and resource utilization.
Air-Travel Experience
Improve people’s (customers, pilots, crew, airport employees, etc.) experiences in air travel. From booking to arriving at their final destination, your team’s innovations might address health, safety, vehicle/aircraft design, airports and/or airline procedures.
Sustainable Aviation
Develop environmentally friendly aviation technologies or approaches.
Weekend Schedule
All activities will occur in the Design Innovation Hub (DI HUB/DIH)
Friday
11/3
4pm-6pm: Check-In and "Find your Superpower" activity
6pm: Opening Ceremony (Auditorium - DIH 219)
7pm: Dinner at Eastway Dining Hall
8pm: Team building and Idea generation
9pm: HACKING BEGINS!!
10:30pm-11pm: Checkpoint 1 (initial team registration)
11pm-11:30pm: Late Night Snacks (DI HUB 2nd Floor)
12am: Exterior Doors Lock
Saturday
11/4
7am: Exterior Doors Open
9am-11am: Breakfast at Eastway
11am-12pm: Checkpoint 2
12pm-2pm: Lunch at Eastway
5pm-7pm: Dinner at Eastway
7pm-8pm: Checkpoint 3
12am: Exterior Doors Lock
Sunday
11/5
**Today marks daylight savings time. Don’t forget to set clocks back 1 hour.**
7am: Exterior Doors Open
7am-9am: Breakfast at DI Dining
9am: HACKING ENDS & PROJECTS DUE!
9am-9:30am: Checkpoint 4 (submissions completed in DEVPOST)
9:30am-11am: Project Expo
11am- 12pm: Break
12pm: Closing Ceremony and Award Presentation (Auditorium - DIH 219)
Let's Get Social
Follow Design Innovation on the social media platforms listed below for updates on registration, how to get involved, and more!
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
SkyHack 3.0 Winners
Coterie
Winners of the Innovations in Automation & Optimization challenge stream
Zephyr
Winners of the Aerospace Redefined challenge stream
Delayd & Glide
Winners of the Improving the Air Travel Experience challenge stream
Operation WASP
Winners of the Play with a Purpose challenge stream
Coterie & A.A.T.S.
Winners of the I3 Lab Launch Award
Presented by:
Special thanks to the Burton D. Morgan Foundation
Burton D. Morgan graduated in 1938 from Purdue with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a love for aviation. In 1967, he started Burton D. Morgan Foundation to support those with entrepreneurial aspirations. In October of 2017, the Foundation sponsored the first aviation-themed hackathon, SkyHack, at Kent State University in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering.
Our Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities:
View Final Projects In-Person at the DI Hub
All 14 final projects from SkyHack will be featured in the DI Hub Gallery space on the second floor.
This temporary exhibit will be available through the remainder of the Fall 2021 semester.
Campus Resources
Available resources for participants.
Lab Hours
Friday, Nov 5th
8:30pm - Midnight: Equipment Checkout & Help Desk
Saturday, Nov 6th
7am - Midnight: Equipment Checkout & Help Desk, Electronics Lab, Blank Lab, 3D Printing, Vinyl
7am - 10pm: Lasers
9am - 1:30pm: Sewing
10am - 5pm: Wood Shop
Sunday, Nov 7th
7am - 9am: Equipment Checkout & Help Desk, Blank Lab
Hardware Available for Checkout
Arduino Uno R3
X5C-1 Drone
Elegoo 2.8" TFT touchscreen
eBoot Photo Resistor
HiLetgo Laser Head
Module Detector
Microserver
Elegoo 37 Sensor Kit
Where to Fly Drones on Campus
There are several approved areas to fly drones on campus. Please adhere to the map found via the link above.
Testimonials
“How the project came together really made the lack of sleep totally worth it”
“I definitely didn’t expect to win coming in, I knew we had something good, but everyone else here is very talented and smart, too.”
