Techie takeover: Record number compete in 11th annual HackMT at MTSU [+VIDEO]

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Twenty-one teams, comprised of over 153 students and working with more than a dozen industry professionals, recently showcased app, computer and web projects at the 11^th annual HackMT competition, hosted by the Computer Science Department at Middle Tennessee State University.

Dr. Josh Phillips, professor, computer science — Dr. Josh Phillips

“This is the biggest one we’ve had so far,” said Joshua Phillips, computer science professor and event director.

In addition to increased participation, the event almost doubled the number of sponsors this year, which included Assurant, Asurion, CAT Financial, J&J Snack Foods, LKQ, bondware, CGI and Rōnin.

Teams gathered on Friday, Jan. 30, for a 36-hour “hackathon” competition culminating in the student showcase on Sunday, Feb. 1, in the Science Building atrium. The hackathon also welcomed nearly two dozen industry professionals — many of them MTSU alumni — to mentor the students with their projects.

“This event gives them early exposure and helps them learn skills so they are industry ready and that experience makes them far more hirable,” Phillips said.

Watch a video recap:

Collaboration is key to success

Many students assembled teams at the event kickoff, while others like Karigan Stewart, of McMinnville, collaborated with computer science classmates to expand a website they’d already been working on together.

“We have our website, Sababa Bites, which is a recipe finder. But apps are far more popular and we thought mobile integration would be a nice challenge, and it was,” Stewart explained.

Classmates and members of Team Sababu Bites, from left, Gabby Vadai, Garrett Johnson, Darius Baisden, Heather Holt and Karigan Stewart, listen to commentary about a mobile app they created for the 11th annual Middle Tennessee State University Computer Science Department HackMT, a 36-hour hackathon competition held on campus Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Stewart and her teammates are also planning on adding a fitness artificial intelligence consultant that allows users to create exercise routines and meal plans with a customized calorie counter.

“We’re definitely going to expand this as a startup company,” said Stewart, whose teammates included Darius Baisden of Antioch, Heather Holt of Greenbrier, and Gabby Vadai and Garrett Johnson, both of Spring Hill. “So this was a great experience and we did a lot of learning on the fly, but it was great and we’re very proud of it.”

Dimitri Nanmejo and his five teammates created a mobile app that would help students navigate campus, with features such as parking assistance, research opportunities, study groups, a class chat, current GPA tracking, and more.

“We felt MTSU needed a better app,” joked Nanmejo, an international computer science graduate student. “We wanted something down to earth to help people before we leave.”

Other projects included a robotic pacer for runners, a 3D modeling program that allows users to virtually connect with a design, and an affordable coach-player communication device that could be marketed for youth leagues.

Middle Tennessee State University computer science major Kevin Juarez from Nashville, Tenn., left, listens to his teammate Ryan Vander Stelt, a computer science major from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., explain their project at the 11th annual MTSU Computer Science Department HackMT competition held on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The 36-hour competition showcased app, computer and web projects. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Middle Tennessee State University computer science major Hernan Hernandez, right, talks with a tester as teammate Aiden J. Martin, center, listens to the explanation of their project at the 11th annual Middle Tennessee State University Computer Science Department HackMT competition held on campus Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This year’s 36-hour hackathon was the largest yet, with 21 teams, 153 student participants and nearly two dozen alumni mentors. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Students produce practical solutions

The competition came down to three winning teams.

Winning teams gathered in the Science Building atrium at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., for the final day of the 11th annual MTSU Computer Science Department HackMT competition held on campus Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1. First place was awarded to Team SpIQ, left group, which includes, front row, from left, Elif Nalan Mutlu, Filiz Karabulut and Ceyhun Kara; and second row, Semih Yucekan, Oguzhan Rejepov and Tarik Yucel. Second place went to Team Cliniq, center group, which included, front row, from left, Kris Patel, Felopater Melika, Michael Rezk with J&J Snack Foods representative, and Kirolous Kamel; and back row, from left, Mayur Patel, Tony Boutros, Samuel Boulos, Tony Martin and Darshan Patel. Third place was awarded to Team Pac-Man Go, group at right, that included members, front row, from left, Luisa Quintero, Verina Aziz and Elizabeth Hua, and back row, from left, Antonious Michael, Alexander Savanh and Paula Mikhail. (MTSU photo illustration by Cat Curtis Murphy and Nancy DeGennaro)

Team SpIQ (pronounced “speak”) earned favor with the judges to take first place as well as the Hackers Choice Award.

“We created an AI-powered communication coach,” explained junior computer science major Elif Mutlu, an international student. “In everyday life, sometimes we need help with communication. SpIQ basically analyzes your visuals, like touching your face or blinking too much or talking too fast, and gives you feedback.”

Beyond winning, Mutlu said the competition bolstered the team’s own interpersonal communication skills.

“It was very interesting to see an idea getting better and better when everyone put their insight into it,” Mutlu said. “We worked together and gave each other feedback. I’m just so thankful for all the opportunities, and it was really fun and educational as well.”

Scholarship winners from the 11th annual Middle Tennessee State University Computer Science Department HackMT competition held on campus Friday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 1, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., are computer science majors Ayush Kamath, left, and Kensey McDowell, both of Murfreesboro. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Second place went to Team Cliniq (pronounced “clinic”) for its medication conflict detection platform, which drew favor from Phillips. The platform uses AI to parse FDA data and scan for discrepancies.

“I’m always a sucker for something that helps fulfill a need for people,” Phillips said. “This helps older people know what’s going on with their medication so it doesn’t feel intimidating.”

Pac-Man Go took third place for its AI-integrated program that uses a camera to detect movement, eliminating the need for a handheld controller to play the classic Pac-Man game.

Computer science majors Ayush Kamath and Kensey McDowell, both of Murfreesboro, were awarded scholarships.

“I hear so many students say they are reticent to attend, but they are so glad they chose to do it,” Phillips said. “The competition is there but everybody is producing something and they are happy to show it off. The important thing is the learning process and being proud of what they did. The win is great, but it’s not about the win, it’s about the experience.”

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)