N.C. PSI is hosting its second annual Hack-a-Thon to accelerate agricultural sustainability using machine learning, 3D printing and more. Multiple prizes are available across this 3-day event hosted at the NEW Plant Sciences Building on Centennial Campus.

The event is open to all grad and undergrad students in any discipline. There are opportunities for beginners, experts and product designers. This is a great opportunity for students to build their resumes, network and meet other students, gain marketable skills, and even win some prizes and bragging rights!

Target Categories:

1. Beginner Coding: Learn the basics of machine learning and Internet of Things to program a raspberry oi camera system as a “gel alarm” to let you know when your DNA is getting close to the edge of your gel. Biologists and other beginners are encouraged to participate in this category. No prior programming experience needed!
2. Experienced Coding: Interested in machine learning and rapid phenotyping? Here’s your chance to put your skills to work! Design software that can distinguish between the leaves, hypocotyl, and roots of growing plant seedings. This event is aimed at more experienced engineers and coders.
3. Hack a 3D Printer: Plant biology involves repetitive tasks and expensive machines. What if an inexpensive 3D printer could be used to make it less tedious and more accessible? Come up with hardware designs to convert 3D printers into Arabidopsis plate seeders, 3D plant scanners, leaf samplers, liquid aliquotors, or mavbe even a thermocycler. This event is aimed at more experienced engineers and CAD designers.