Think Big: Aggie hackers code lasers, websites, apps and more
“Developers, Developers, Developers!”
Led by Ethan Payne, this chant kicked off Utah State University’s Hack Day last Saturday. Hackers came from all around Cache Valley to share ideas and learn the language of code.
“The nice thing about coding is you can basically do whatever you want with it,” said Payne, a freshman majoring in computer science. “Let’s get hacking.”
Despite the negative connotation of the word “hack,” participants in Hack Day don’t focus on malicious infiltration. Hacking is making something new from computer hardware or software. Even if participants have never hacked before, Hack Day gives them a chance to think big and learn how to make what they imagine.
“We had to find our own content, our own workshops,” said Cory Christensen, a senior majoring in statistics. “We had the idea to go to local developers and get them to do workshops, and the community has responded tremendously.”
The 12-hour Hack Day is designed to focus on middle school and high school students, helping them to learn and explore computer science. Organizers went to the different schools armed with posters and presentations to invite students to the event.
“We want to expose these kids to computer science,” Christensen said. “I like seeing people learn things.”
At a previous Hack Day in October, Christensen remembered a hacker who didn’t know any programming but built a working calculator online during the event.
“I’m hoping there’s more experiences like that today. When we see kids learn and realize they can build cool stuff, that brings happiness to us. We enjoy seeing that,” he said. “That’s the cool thing. We have no idea what’s going to come out of this. Everybody’s coming together with their own ideas.”
Last October’s 12-hour Hack Day had around 80 participants. The preregistered number of participants on Saturday was around 75.
“People come to have fun and learn something new. It’s great to connect with students,” said Haley Manning, a sophomore majoring in computer science and event organizer.
Other innovative ideas include building artificial intelligence apps, creating webpages and even building working lasers, in the case of three USU students.
Casey Wood, Justin Cox and Zachary Garrard have been working together on constructing and programming software for a laser.
“It’s part of our senior project,” said Wood, a senior majoring in electrical engineering. “We hope that by the end of the day it is engraving images.”
The students have been working on the project for over a year.
“The goal is to engrave wood plaques,” said Cox, a master student majoring computer engineer. “The computer send the instructions to (the laser), and the motors move it around.”
The laser will have the strength to engrave both in wood and leather, using eight shades of depth to engrave.
“My favorite part about any engineering process is seeing it work, because before that it’s really frustrating,” laughed Garrard, a senior majoring in electrical engineering.
Two middle school students, Joshua Bryan and Christen Jason, came to Hack Day hoping to develop their skills in computer science.
“I’ve always wanted to make video games,” said Jason, a student at Mount Logan Middle School.
Bryan learned about Hack Day when flyers were handed out at his school. Jason attended a career fair where Hack Day organizers held a presentation.
“I’m not sure what I’d build. I’ve always had a bunch of ideas in my head and I’m not sure which one to do first,” said Bryan, a student at Spring Creek Junior High.
“We want to teach everyone how to code,” said Alex Lutz, head organizer of HackUSU. “My favorite part about all the events we are putting on is getting to meet all the cool people and all the awesome ideas that they have. For me, it’s all about the community. It’s about being bigger than just a computer.”
At the end of the event, raffle prizes were given away, as well as prizes to the best invented projects in different categories, including Overall Hack, Hardware Hack and Hacker’s Choice.
“We bring the people together, we give them food, we give them incentive to just sit there and code and then they build cool stuff,” Christensen said.
—ashley.ruth.stilson@aggiemail.usu.edu