Eight water data projects from last weekend’s SKAHack

by AdminBraaiMarch 24, 2016March 23, 2016

SKAHack participants produced a number of apps to save water in different ways. Image credit: Fronne.

While the past week may have seen massive downpours, it doesn’tmean the drought and water shortages are over.

This is why Geekulcha hosted its most recent hackathon – the SKAHack – to encourage developers to help find solutions for problems in their community.

Named after the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), SKAHack was held in the Eastern Cape and focused on big data, just like the ridiculous amounts that the SKA collects.

Instead of using the data to look to the stars, participants focused on water and ways to conserve it in the country. Six of the eight submitted projects focused on good old H₂O, with water-based projects claiming all three top spots.

After a data workshop from the folks at Code4SA, the 60 participants started the weekend which produced a variety of projects.

Some focused on saving water by providing relevant information to households as well as municipalities, while others focused on finding alternatives such as boreholes.

Here’s are the winners and who’ll be in line to receive business and technical support to further their ideas.

First: Team: Alien Tech | Project: Kukan Careers Guidance App

Helps students track the progress of the SKA and the oportunities it creates and possible applications for the data it derives.

Second: Team: HOK | Project: Water Reporter

Using data to help lower costs for the municipality and getting the community involved by providing instant notifications on water crisis.

Third: Team: Team FNFK | Project: eScanner Device and eViewer Application

Automated scanning in water meters for more efficiency in water management. All information from a residence will be recorded and captured on a database, using the information already available from the local authorities.

This article first appeared on htxt.africa.

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AdminBraai

SciBraai, a proudly South African NPO dedicated to science journalism, communication and outreach. SciBraai began on Heritage Day 2013 - Anina Mumm and Engela Duvenage in 2013 launched the website, scibraai.co.za, to feature stories about South African research, technology and innovation, and the people behind the discoveries. This blog welcomes all South Africans to go behind the scenes of local science and exploration endeavors. It’s a place to share stories about the scientists themselves and the interesting, little-known activities that are often left out of research journals. A place to learn more about the stuff that makes South African science and its people tick. A place to feel inspired about what South Africans are discovering on home soil and abroad. Because local is lekker, no matter what language you use. SciBraai's following has grown in the past years, and we are now on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We've also begun organising real-life braai's where we share round-the-fire stories about South African science and scientists.

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