Maine techies plan virtual brainstorming event to 'flatten the curve'
Courtesy/MyHealthMath
This Friday, Maine's tech community will come together in a virtual Hack-a-Thon that aims to "flatten the curve" of COVID-19 in Maine.
What can Maine do to stop the virus spread here?
Tech-minded innovators are being called on to come up with web and mobile application solutions in a virtual brainstorming event happening Friday known as a hack-a-thon.
"Flatten the Curve: Hacking COVID-19," is calling on innovative thinkers and Maine's best tech talent — including developers, analysts and project managers — to join the event.
The goal: "Flatten the curve and change the course of history for Maine," to "rapidly prototype a web app to assist with communications and logistics designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Maine."
During the event, which will be March 20, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., participants will build a shared vision, break into teams, work through specific ideas and share results at the end of the day.
The planned result is a viable product, with next steps for execution and delivery.
Sponsors are Portland-based MyHealth Math, VIA Agency, SaviLinx, Cross Employee Benefits and Startup Maine.
"What happens next is largely up to individual Mainers," said Elizabeth Cote, MyHealth Math's chief mission officer and medical director,in a news release. "Maine has a big resource in its growing tech community on top of innovative thinkers of all kinds in the sate. We are going to virtually convene and mobilize that talent to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases in Maine."
She told Mainebiz via phone that as of yesterday, about 35 people had signed up, with participants ranging from a first-year college computer studies student to "some real heavy hitters" in the tech community. She said that organizers had also had attention from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, which came to them with a problem.
Katie Shorey, president of Startup Maine, describes a hack-a-thon like a design marathon and a way for individuals to get creative through technology.
"Often the best ideas come from facing the toughest challenges, so by bringing these people together to focus on problem solving for the greater community — I can't wait to see wait they come up with."
Those interested in participating can register here.
A second, follow-up hack-a-thon is also being planned.
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