1. How did you find out about this competition, and what motivated you to take part?

We found out about this competition through emails from our Course Manager. We were motivated to participate because we wanted to gain valuable experience, expand our knowledge, and broaden our social network by collaborating with students from other schools. Our PFP experiences ignited our interest, as we learned how to apply concepts such as analysing issues, devising innovative solutions, and implementing strategies effectively to address problems faced in society.

2. We understand you had to form a team of four to participate in this competition, but you decided to join without a full team! How did you manage to form a team with individuals from outside NYP?

We posted a message in the YouthxHack Discord channel to look for two more members. Shawn from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Common Business Programme and Hengyi, a prospective Oxford University student, both reached out and expressed their interest in joining.

Once our team was formed, we went on to select a problem statement and develop our solution within four days.

3. What was your project about? 

Our project, Nourish Now, optimises charity food supply chains to reduce food waste, particularly focusing on 'ugly' foods nearing disposal. By linking businesses, the government, and charities in a tri-sector social entrepreneurship model, we hope to tackle food insecurity for low-income Singaporean families.

We developed an algorithm that utilises big data to forecast food discard patterns and assess food insecurity across different regions. This data is presented on an intuitive dashboard, making it easy to understand and actionable.

• Businesses can forecast the amounts and seasons when they are more likely to discard food, identifying opportunities to automatically notify charitable partners. 
• Charities can use these dashboards to make informed decisions about purchasing surplus food at lower prices, managing volunteer engagement, and even earning a commission to sustain their social enterprise.

4. How did the team overcome the difficulties and challenges during the hackathon? 

Leveraging the skills we gained in NYP's PFP, we applied our foundational coding knowledge to website development, specifically concentrating on HTML and CSS. We also developed the ability to adapt to various challenges, handle last-minute changes effectively, and embrace constructive criticism to enhance our project.

At our consultation sessions with coaches from Oracle, we also took the opportunity to thoroughly unpack the problem statement to effectively address our target audiences' needs. This approach proved invaluable, guiding us in refining and solidifying our ideas, especially during challenging or uncertain times. By deeply understanding the problem, we were able to tailor our solution more precisely, ultimately leading to a more focused and impactful outcome.

5.  How do you feel about winning?

We have learned to adapt to challenges, remain open-minded, and never give up. We entered the competition without any expectations and primarily joined for the experience, believing that the journey was more important than the destination. We are proud to have achieved 1^st runner-up, as this competition provided an enriching and eye-opening opportunity.

6. What were the most valuable lessons you learned from participating in YouthxHack, and how will you apply these insights to your future endeavours?

Continuing to participate in hackathons and competitions with a growth mindset is essential. By prioritising learning over winning, we gain invaluable knowledge and experience that are far more beneficial in the real world. Embracing this mindset allows us to view each challenge as an opportunity to grow and enhance our skills, regardless of the outcome.

Actively seeking guidance from our lecturers and mentors is also crucial for our development; regularly reaching out for support and feedback helps us refine our understanding and overcome obstacles more effectively.

Additionally, committing to give our best effort and consistently striving for excellence in tests and projects further accelerates our growth.