Stop the Stroke
Hackathon
Feb 29, 2027
Human driven, data-informed, agent-supported problem solving.
February 29, 2027
8AM - 5PM
@ the FSU Innovation Hub
EVENT INFORMATION
Up to $2000 in cash prizes!
Two meals included!
Free event t-shirts & giveaways for all participants!
A great opportunity to make new connections, gain marketable skills, and make a difference in the world!!
THE CHALLENGE
This challenge will involve working in an interdisciplinary team, leveraging AWS Working Backwards innovation framework, along with datasets and AWS Kiro agentic AI app development platform to develop a solution that reduces instances of death from stroke.
Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Only 50 seats are available. Priority is given to Social Science students and Tech and Engineering students with other seats provided to students from all other areas.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
FRIDAY, FEB 29
08:00 CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST
08:30 INTRODUCTIONS
08:45 EXPERT PRESENTATION
09:15 EXPERT Q&A
09:45 STRATEGY WORKSHOP 1: TEAMING
10:00 TEAM WORK
10:15 STRATEGY WORKSHOP 2: EMPATHY AND REFRAMING
10:30 TEAM WORK: EMPATHY AND REFRAMING
11:30 STRATEGY WORKSHOP 3: IDEATION
11:45 TEAM WORK: IDEATION
WORKING LUNCH
01:00 STRATEGY WORKSHOP 4: PROTOTYPING AND THE PITCH
01:15 TEAM WORK: PROTOTYPING AND THE PITCH
03:00 PITCH LINK DUE to ken@innovation.fsu.edu
- Format: 4 minutes, 6 Google slides maximum + 3 min Q&A
03:15 PITCH CONTEST
04:15 JUDGE DELIBERATION - POST EVENT SURVEY
04:30 AWARDS CEREMONY GROUP PHOTO
05:00 CONCLUDES
PRIZES!
1st Place: $200 per team member
2nd: $100 per team member
3rd: $50 per team member
Team members must have participated in the entire design sprint to win a prize
BENEFITS!
Career Opportunities with AWS!
Learn Design Thinking Skills!
Learn Cloud Computing and Data Analysis
Make New Friends!
Have an Impact!
Supportive Online Resources
Coming soon!
SPONSORS & EXPERTS
College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
Stewart Fotheringham (Spacial Data Science Center)
Deana Rohlinger
Rebecca Sage
Amazon Web Services
Gabriel Brackman
Melissa Hallusk
FSU Career Center
Tori Andrews
Innovation Hub
Ken Baldauf
Emily Pritchard
Wes Dorce
JUDGING CRITERIA
Innovative Creativity - 25 points
How creative is this idea? Is it something anyone could have thought of? A low score indicates someone probably already did this. A high score is earned by a NEW highly imaginative and creative solution.
Impact - 25 points
How useful will the solution be at addressing the challenge? A low score indicates that, even though the idea may be innovative, it probably won't have much effect on the problem. A high score is earned by a solution that fully addresses a problem.
Feasibility - 25 points
Will your solution be easy to implement? Or will it be costly and require a lot of effort? A low score indicates that, no matter how innovative and impactful the solution, it will be impossible to implement. A high score is earned by a solution that can be implemented with little to no effort.
Prototype and Pitch - 25 points
How effective was the prototype and presentation in selling the solution? Did it demonstrate exactly how the solution will be executed and experienced? Did it illustrate the use of Design Thinking? A low score indicates that the prototype was not compelling, and/or there were significant problems with the presentation. A high score is earned by a very persuasive presentation that engages the audience, tells a compelling story, and effectively demonstrates the effectiveness of the solution.