SETTING THE SCENE
INGREDIENTS
- Presentation (Slides 15 – 26)
- Video platform link (if online)
- Paper, markers
Purpose/Goal
To welcome everyone, set the scene, introduce the schedule and ways of working, and encourage participants to share the unique “ingredients” they’re bringing to the event.
Desired Outcomes
Participants gain a clear understanding of the event process, milestones, and guidelines and get to know each other.
Serving size:
one group of 20 to 30 people
Preparation time:
10 minutes
Cooking time:
50 minutes
INSTURCTIONS
STEP 1: WARM WELCOME & INTRODUCTION (5 - 10 MIN)
- Begin with a warm welcome to all participants, setting a positive, collaborative tone for the Food for Good Hackathon.
- Introduce yourself, the organizing team, and the mentors, sharing the purpose of the hackathon and the journey you’ll be taking together.
STEP 2: "What Ingredients Are You Bringing to the Table?" - CREATING A PERSONAL MAP (15 MIN)
Introduce the concept of each participant being a unique ingredient in the hackathon “recipe.”
Ask participants to create a quick “Personal Map” to highlight what they’re bringing to the table.
Prompt them to think about their:
- Skills (e.g., communication, creativity, tech skills)
- Knowledge (e.g., sustainability, local food systems, business insights)
- Values (e.g., community, environmental stewardship)
- Experience (e.g., previous projects, volunteer work, studies)
- Motivation (e.g., what they hope to achieve, why they joined)
In-Person: Give participants paper and markers to create their maps.
Online: Use a collaborative tool like a Presentation template or Padlet, where each person can add their “ingredients.” This activity can be done before the start of the event as an intro to the hackathon.
After mapping, invite a few participants to share their maps with the group.
STEP 3: PRESENTING THE EVENT DETAILS (5 MIN)
Use the PowerPoint presentation to walk through the event structure:
- Schedule: Highlight each day’s key activities, including workshops, mentoring sessions, and self-paced teamwork.
- Ways of Working: Talk about the importance of teamwork and open-minded collaboration.
- Tools and Materials: Introduce the Process Sheet and other essential tools participants will use throughout the hackathon.
STEP 4: TECHNICAL CHECK & TOOL TRY-OUT (5 MIN, IF ONLINE)
For online events, allow participants a few minutes to test out the tech tools, and explore the video platform and any additional tools.
This step helps ensure everyone is comfortable with the setup before diving into the main activities.
STEP 5: COLLABORATIVE GUIDELINES ACTIVITY (10 MIN)
Invite participants to contribute to a Guidelines for Working Together activity:
- Ask everyone to share one value or guideline they think is essential for working as a team
- This quick exercise builds a foundation of mutual respect and trust among participants.
STEP 6: Q&A (10 MIN)
- Open the floor for questions about the event structure or tools.
- Encourage participants to feel comfortable reaching out if they need help at any point during the hackathon.
Tips & Tricks
- Keep it brief but interactive, as this sets the first impression for participants.
- If online, use breakout rooms for smaller groups to share maps, allowing more people to speak.
