Computer Science & ‘Hackathon’ Spotlight

Written by: Abhijith Chitrala (‘26), Pranav Vaddepalli (‘26), Dhanush Suresh (‘28) & Sai Anand (‘27)

In a world where technology keeps becoming a significant part of everything, computer science can no longer just remain a subject. Instead, it has become a major weapon in problem-solving, innovation, and positively impacting society as a whole. The Computer Science Club at Lawrence High School was started two years ago with a vision to assist students in pursuing their interests, no matter what background they may have had with technology prior to joining the group.

This is evident in the leadership and those who have been associated with the club as members in the past. These past members are now studying in top-tier institutions like Princeton University, UPenn, UC Berkeley, and other T20 schools, which goes on to show that the club provides excellent value for its members. Today, the club is in very good hands with Josh L. (President), Hema G. (PR Manager), Ben L. (Intern), Om P. (Events Team Officer), Abhi C. (Development Team Officer), and advisor Mr. Nabit at the helm.

They hold their meetings every other Thursday after school in room 116. One major tenet that the Computer Science Club focuses on is that programmers are needed, but coders aren’t. This directly relates to how they hold coding workshops where they can learn at their own pace about Python, JavaScript, web development, game development, security, or the power of machine learning. By the end of the coding workshop, they learn how code can be used creatively by making an object that they can take home.

Besides the workshops, the club has two teams: the Events Team and the Development Team. The Events Team deals with speaker events, fundraisers, workshops, and big projects like the hackathon. The Development Team focuses on coding projects that can help the school, like projects in the past to improve the coursebook system and the unblock system. It provides opportunities for experienced students to use what they have learned while bringing valuable ideas to the table.

“One of the most highly-anticipated events is the Hackathon, which is a team competition that takes up the whole day, emphasizing innovation and teamwork,” one member said. This Hackathon, in partnership with the Investment Club, will be held on January 30th in the school library, where there will be free lunch, in addition to prizes, with the whole day excused from classes.

Teams of five to six students would work on an assignment that involves real-life issues, like accessibility or learning differences. Instead of a functional product, this competition is all about creative problem-solving, making it accessible for students from diverse technical skills. Teams would conceptualize a product, make a slideshow, and give a five-minute pitch with a subsequent question-and-answer round with judges, just like any real-life startup or funding opportunity.

The judging will be performed by faculty members, including Mr. Nabit and Mr. Manocchio, and innovation, presentation, teamwork, and peer voting awards will be given. The prize for the winning team will be worth $100 gift cards, and certificates and professional recognition for all participants will also be provided. Through the provision of workshops, development projects, and the impending hackathon, the Computer Science Club has continued to provide an enabling platform for the exploration of technology and the translation of ideas into impact. With an infusion of creativity and collaboration, the Computer Science Club enables students not only to study Computer Science but also to control their future using Computer Science.