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 becoming a sponsor or other ways to get involved? Fill out your information below and a member of our team will get back to you!
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.
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.
Challenge Streams
Develop solutions based on the challenge stream of your choice.
Improving the Air Travel Experience
Improve people’s experiences from booking to arriving at their final destination by innovating for health, safety, vehicle/aircraft design, airports and/or airline procedures.
Innovations in Automation
Enhance the fundamental aspects of aircraft handling (care, maintenance, guidance, luggage, etc.) through automation and bridge the gap in people power across the aviation domain.
Play with a Purpose
Use the inspiration of Avenger Field and the WWII Women of the Airforce Service Pilots to create an interactive toy 'universe' that will inspire young girls and underrepresented individuals to consider futures in aviation.
Aerospace Redefined
Envision the near future of public travel into space. How can we extend into the upper atmosphere and beyond?
Optimization at Any Altitude
Develop a creative approach to bring piloted or un-piloted aviation technologies to solve challenges or create efficiencies in other sectors. How can new technologies and software be used to enhance daily life?
Become a Member Today
Join us for these amazing benefits.
Starter Plan
For individual users
$9.00
per month
Basic course unlocked
Email support
No video guides
Recommended
Pro Plan
For team users
$19.00
per month
Advanced course unlocked
Live chat support
Video guides
Enterprise Plan
For large teams
$39.00
na miesiąc
Everything in Pro, plus:
One-on-one coaching
Bonus care package!
Weekend Schedule
**All activities in Design Innovation Hub (DIH)**
Friday
11/5
4pm-6:30pm: Check-In and Tours
6:30pm: Opening Ceremony (Auditorium - DIH 219)
7:30pm: Dinner
8:15pm: Team building and Idea generation (What’s your superpower?)
9pm-12am: Project Work and Activities
10pm: Exterior Doors Lock
12am: Building Closed
Saturday
11/6
7-9am: Breakfast
10am-12pm: Mentors and Activities
12pm: Lunch
2pm-5pm: Mentors Available
3pm-4pm: Travel reimbursements (registration table in lobby)
4pm-5pm: Storytelling Workshop
5pm: Dinner
6pm-7pm: Iterate/Evaluate Workshop
7pm-12am: Project Work and Activities
10pm: Exterior Doors Lock
12am: Building Closed
Sunday
11/7
**Today marks daylight savings time. Don’t forget to set clocks back 1 hour.**
7am-9am: Breakfast
9am: PROJECTS DUE! Upload to Devpost.
10am-11:15am: Project Expo
11:15am- 12:15pm: Break
12:30pm: Closing Ceremony and Award Presentation (Auditorium - DIH 219)
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.”
