Hackathons are more than just coding marathons—they’re opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and solve real-world problems under pressure. In this post, I’ll share my hackathon experience and how a simple course at Havering Adult College gave me the skills to shine at two major events.

A hackathon is an event where individuals or teams come together to solve real-world problems through innovation and technology, usually within a short time frame such as 24 or 48 hours. It brings together people from different backgrounds to collaborate, share ideas, and build creative solutions to challenges ranging from business sustainability to advanced AI systems. Hackathons are a great way to apply technical and analytical skills while learning from others in a fast-paced and inspiring environment.

In February, I had the opportunity to take part in the HackaFuture Hackathon, presented by AtkinsRéalis, in Manchester. The theme was Transforming Nuclear Operations with AI. My team and I developed an AI-based predictive maintenance model to identify pump failures in nuclear plants before they occurred. The aim was to use data and machine learning to improve safety, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance operational efficiency. We presented our project to a panel of industry experts and received positive feedback for the innovative and practical approach we demonstrated.

Last week, I participated in another exciting event in Manchester, the Hack for Good Hackathon, which focused on creating sustainable business solutions. My team and I came up with the idea of a skincare brand that uses leftover fruit peels from juice factories to create eco-friendly skincare products. We focused on orange peels, which are known to be rich in vitamin C and beneficial for the skin. I created and delivered our PowerPoint presentation to showcase our idea, using the skills I developed through the ICDL Level 3 course. Our idea was praised for its creativity and focus on sustainability.

The ICDL Level 3 course at Havering Adult College, Bower Park, has been an important part of my learning journey. It has helped me become more confident in using Microsoft applications, especially Excel and PowerPoint, which I have been able to apply effectively in both hackathons. The course has improved my understanding of data handling, analysis, and presentation. I would also like to mention that my tutor, Mr. Richard Priest, has been very supportive throughout the course, creating a positive and engaging learning environment.

Saisruthi Catari Dinesh