Hackathons as a Teaching Tool in Technical Education | 25.04.2025
Anna Matuszyńska (RWTH Aachen University): Hackathons as a Teaching Tool in Technical Education
In this talk, I share my experience using hackathons as a dynamic teaching method to engage students in technical fields. Drawing from two computational biology hackathons I organized in Kenya (2022 and 2023), I’ll discuss how hands-on, project-based learning can boost problem-solving skills, collaboration, and interdisciplinary thinking—even among students with little coding experience.
I’ll highlight key elements of the program design, teaching approach, and student feedback, offering practical tips for integrating hackathons into university courses. My goal is to show how these fast-paced, collaborative events can enrich technical education and inspire deeper learning.
Prof. Dr. Anna Matuszyńska is a mathematical biologist and computational plant scientist at RWTH Aachen University, where she leads a research group in Computational Life Science. Her work focuses on modeling photosynthesis regulation, plant-microbe interactions, and plant bioenergetics, employing methods such as differential modelling, game theory, and genome-scale modeling. She is also dedicated to integrating coding and interdisciplinary approaches into teaching, advocating for experiential learning methods like hackathons to enhance student engagement and problem-solving skills in technical education.