Clarkathon 2024 was a milestone event at Clark University this October, where students came together to transform ideas into impactful solutions. Organized by the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) Club, with support from C4 and the Student Activities Resource Center (SARC), this year’s hackathon took place from October 18 to October 20, bringing 52 participants together under the theme of “Community Improvement.” Over an intensive 36 hours, participants tackled real-world challenges, creating Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) designed to make a positive impact on communities.
Kicking off with a series of icebreakers, Clarkathon 2024 quickly fostered a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. Activities like StackUp and a spirited paper airplane contest helped participants form connections before the coding marathon began. Once underway, the campus was buzzing with creativity and innovation, as teams worked tirelessly to address the hackathon’s theme from diverse angles. The end result? Thirteen impressive MVPs that showcased the talent and drive of everyone involved.
The standout project of the weekend was SignPal, which took first place with its groundbreaking app designed to enhance accessibility for non-verbal individuals. Using advanced tools like MediaPipe, TensorFlow, and OpenCV, SignPal translates sign language gestures into real-time English captions, exemplifying the hackathon’s goal of creating tech for positive change. For their achievement, the team behind SignPal was awarded Sonos speakers, presented by David Muckle from Sonos, Inc.
SignPal team members included Jothsna Praveena, M.S. ’24; Kunal M, M.S. ’25, Keerthana Goka, M.S. ’24; and Mohan Sai Manem, M.S. ’24.
But SignPal wasn’t the only project to receive recognition. Teams placing from second to sixth were also awarded prizes, courtesy of TIE and C4, to celebrate their hard work and innovative solutions. These projects addressed various community challenges, from fitness accessibility and digital connectivity to social engagement and skill development. In addition to these awards, Clarkathon organizers held raffles, giving participants even more opportunities to win additional prizes and keep the energy high throughout the weekend.
Adding further value to the event were guest judges and alumni who provided expert feedback to the participants. Alongside David Muckle, alumni Arslan Tarar from HighRes Biosolutions and Faaiz Masood from Bamboo Rose offered mentorship and guidance, encouraging students to refine their ideas with a practical, real-world focus. Computer science professors Gary Holness, Catalin C. Veghes, and Li Han were also instrumental in supporting participants, connecting students with mentors and enriching the collaborative spirit of the event.
Clarkathon 2024 struck a perfect balance between intense, focused work and lively engagement. Mini-events and raffle breaks allowed participants to recharge between coding sessions, creating a fun yet productive atmosphere. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of TIE, C4, and SARC, Clarkathon was more than just a competition—it was an opportunity for students to develop creative solutions, connect with professionals, and make a lasting impact on their communities. Clarkathon 2024 set a new standard for innovation at Clark University, and the potential for student-driven change continues to grow.
Sarthak Chand is president of the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) student organization.
Clarkathon 2024
