Brocken Technologies

Who (first and last name) is the Team Lead for your application and LEAP Project?

Frank Masanja Mussa

Describe the role the Team Lead plays in your organization. [100-200 words recommended]

As the Team Lead in our organization, Frank Masanja Mussa plays a pivotal role in coordinating and guiding the activities of our team as well as improving relationships with external organizations. With a focus on effective communication and collaboration, Frank ensures that team members are aligned with organizational goals and objectives. He provides direction, support, and mentorship to team members, empowering them to excel in their roles and contribute to the overall success of the organization. Frank fosters a positive and inclusive team culture, where creativity, innovation, and continuous improvement are encouraged. Additionally, he serves as a liaison between team members and senior management, facilitating smooth communication and decision-making processes. Through his leadership, Frank drives performance, fosters a sense of unity and purpose, and ensures that our team remains motivated and engaged in fulfilling our mission and objectives.

Explain how your Team Lead and supporting team members are well-positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project, given other priorities within your organization. [300-500 words - recommended]

Our Team Lead, Frank Masanja Mussa, and our supporting team members are well-positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project while managing other priorities within our organization. As we estimate that our Team Lead and other senior-level staff commit 3-4 hours of work per week on a research-intensive project over the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, it is crucial to ensure that they can balance these commitments effectively.

Frank Masanja Mussa brings a wealth of experience in project management, leadership, and education initiatives. With a deep understanding of our organization's goals and objectives, Frank is adept at prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and fostering collaboration among team members. His leadership ensures that our team remains focused and aligned with the goals of the LEAP Project, even amidst other organizational priorities.

Additionally, our supporting team members possess diverse skills, expertise, and backgrounds that are relevant to the LEAP Project. Whether it's research, data analysis, program management, or technical support, each team member contributes valuable insights and contributions to the project. Despite their varying roles and responsibilities within the organization, our team members are committed to dedicating the necessary time and effort to support the success of the LEAP Project.

To optimize our team's effectiveness in supporting the LEAP Project, we have implemented several strategies:

1. Clear Communication Channels: We have established open lines of communication to ensure that team members stay informed about project updates, timelines, and deliverables. Regular check-ins and status updates allow us to address any issues or challenges promptly.

2. Task Prioritization: Our Team Lead works closely with senior-level staff to prioritize tasks and allocate resources based on project deadlines and organizational priorities. By identifying critical path activities and key milestones, we can ensure that the LEAP Project receives the necessary attention and support.

3. Flexible Work Arrangements: Recognizing that our team members may have other responsibilities within the organization, we offer flexible work arrangements to accommodate their schedules. Whether it's adjusting work hours or providing remote work options, we strive to create an environment where team members can balance their commitments effectively.

4. Continuous Monitoring and Feedback: Throughout the duration of the LEAP Project, we conduct regular progress reviews and solicit feedback from team members to identify areas for improvement and address any challenges proactively. This iterative approach allows us to adapt to changing circumstances and ensure that our support remains aligned with project goals.

Overall, our Team Lead and supporting team members are committed to supporting the success of the LEAP Project while effectively managing other priorities within our organization. Through effective leadership, clear communication, and strategic resource allocation, we are confident in our ability to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of evidence-based learning solutions and the wellbeing of children in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America

One-line solution summary: In 20 words or less, summarize your organization's product or program that is the focus of your LEAP Project.

an affordable online platform facilitating results-based hackathons, serving as a repository for student solutions, promoting problem-solving learning, and advocating inclusion.

Define the problem that your solution seeks to solve. [300-500 words recommended]

The problem our solution seeks to address is the significant disparity in access to technology events and education opportunities among Tanzanian students, particularly those residing outside the capital city of Dar es Salaam.

In Tanzania, the technology ecosystem is heavily concentrated in Dar es Salaam, where the majority of tech hubs, organizations, and events are located. This geographical centralization creates a significant barrier for students living in other regions of the country, who often lack the resources or means to attend physical events in Dar es Salaam. As a result, these students are deprived of valuable learning opportunities, networking experiences, and exposure to the latest innovations in technology.

Our research has revealed that out of 100 tech events held in Tanzania, only a small fraction, approximately 5%, are conducted outside of Dar es Salaam. This means that students residing in other regions, despite their talent and potential, are largely excluded from participating in these events. Furthermore, even when events are organized outside Dar es Salaam, attendance from other regions remains extremely low, with less than 1% of attendees coming from outside the capital city. This disparity in access to technology events exacerbates existing inequalities and perpetuates the digital divide within the country.

Moreover, the cost associated with organizing and attending physical events presents another barrier to participation for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Transportation costs, accommodation expenses, and other logistical challenges make it financially prohibitive for many students to travel to Dar es Salaam to attend tech events. As a result, attendance at these events is often skewed towards individuals from wealthier families who can afford these expenses, further widening the gap in access to technology education.

Additionally, the shift to virtual events as an alternative has been hindered by the high cost of existing virtual event platforms, making it unfeasible for Tanzanian organizations to host such events. The lack of affordable virtual event solutions further limits the accessibility of technology education opportunities for students across the country.

In summary, the problem our solution seeks to solve is the unequal distribution of technology education opportunities and the exclusion of students from regions outside Dar es Salaam from participating in tech events. By providing a freely accessible online platform and advocating for equal opportunities, we aim to democratize access to technology education and bridge the digital divide in Tanzania.

Describe your solution and how it works in simple terms. [300-500 words recommended]

Our solution, the Brocken Technologies Hackathon Platform, is an online tool designed to simplify the organization and management of virtual tech events, particularly hackathons. It provides a user-friendly interface that allows organizers to set up, run, and oversee these events with ease, while also offering participants a seamless experience from registration to project submission.

Here's how it works:

1. Event Setup: Organizers begin by setting up the event on the platform. They provide details such as the event timeline, rules, prizes, and any other relevant information. This information is displayed on the platform's overview page, giving participants a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Registration: Participants can easily register for the event through the platform by creating a user account. This account allows them to access all areas of the platform, including submitting their projects later on.

3. Project Submission: As the event progresses, participants work on their projects and prepare them for submission. The platform provides a dedicated project gallery where participants can submit their projects for judgment or exhibition. They can upload detailed information about their projects, including descriptions, demo videos, demo links, GitHub repositories (for IT-based projects), and team names.

4. Judging:Judging: Once the submission deadline is reached, judges review the submitted projects and provide feedback or select winners based on predefined criteria. The platform streamlines this process by organizing all project submissions in one place, making it easy for judges to evaluate them.

5. Communication and Engagement:Throughout the event, participants and organizers can communicate and engage with each other through the platform's update feature, where the organizers can communicate on major changes in an uninterrupted manner. We are currently working on adding features such as chat rooms, discussion forums, or messaging systems, facilitating collaboration and networking among participants.

6. Post-Event Activities: After the event concludes, the platform continues to serve as a repository for all project submissions and related information. This allows participants to revisit their projects, share them with others, and showcase their work to potential employers or collaborators.

In simple terms, our platform acts as a virtual hub for organizing and participating in tech events like hackathons. It provides all the necessary tools and features to make the event management process smooth and efficient for organizers, while also offering a user-friendly experience for participants. By bringing together tech enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds and locations, our platform aims to foster innovation, collaboration, and learning within the tech community in Tanzania and beyond.

Select the key characteristics of your target population. Select all that apply.

• Minorities & Previously Excluded Populations

Upload your solution's Theory of Change or Logic Model.

Where would you place your solution on Nesta's Standards of Evidence?

To date, what research/studies has your organization conducted or commissioned that have helped demonstrate the effectiveness of your solution? [300-500 words recommended]

To date, Brocken Technologies has conducted both foundational and formative research to inform the development and continuous improvement of our hackathon platform. Our research efforts have focused on understanding the existing challenges faced by Tanzanian students in accessing tech events and educational opportunities, as well as evaluating the usability and effectiveness of our platform in addressing these challenges.

1. Foundational Research:

   • Literature Reviews: We have conducted comprehensive literature reviews on topics related to technology access, education equity, and youth empowerment. These reviews have helped us understand the broader context of educational disparities in Tanzania and identify potential strategies for addressing them.
   • Desktop Research: Our team regularly gathers information from online sources, including reports, articles, and case studies, to stay informed about developments in the field of educational technology and youth empowerment. This desk research helps us stay up-to-date with best practices and emerging trends.

2. Formative Research:

   • Usability Studies: We have conducted usability studies to evaluate the user interface and functionality of our hackathon platform. By observing how participants interact with the platform and collecting feedback through surveys and interviews, we have identified areas for improvement and made iterative changes to enhance the user experience.
   • Feasibility Studies: Before launching the platform, we conducted feasibility studies to assess the technical, logistical, and financial feasibility of our project. These studies helped us identify potential challenges and develop strategies to mitigate risks.
   • User Interviews and questionaires: We have conducted interviews with Tanzanian students and educators to gather insights into their experiences with tech events and their preferences for online learning platforms. These interviews have informed the design and features of our platform, ensuring that it meets the needs and preferences of our target audience.
   • Case Studies: We have collected case studies from past hackathon events organized by our team to evaluate the impact of our platform on student participation, learning outcomes, and networking opportunities. These case studies provide valuable evidence of the effectiveness of our platform in promoting student engagement and skill development.

Overall, our research efforts have helped us build a strong foundation of evidence to support the effectiveness of our hackathon platform in empowering Tanzanian students and promoting equitable access to tech events and educational resources. We continue to conduct research and evaluation activities to monitor the impact of our platform and identify areas for further improvement.

What has the data collected from the research/studies revealed about your solution and how did it inform your work moving forward? [300-500 words recommended]

The data collected from our research and studies have provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of our hackathon platform and have guided our work moving forward in several ways:

1. User Experience Enhancement: Through usability studies and user interviews, we gained a deep understanding of how participants interact with our platform and the challenges they encounter. This data revealed usability issues, such as navigation difficulties and unclear instructions, which informed our work to improve the user interface and enhance the overall user experience. We prioritized features that simplify the registration process, streamline project submission, and facilitate communication between participants and organizers.

2. Tailored Features: Our research highlighted the diverse needs and preferences of Tanzanian students and educators regarding tech events and online learning platforms. We used this information to tailor the features of our platform to better meet the needs of our target audience. For example, we added language support for Swahili, incorporated multimedia capabilities for project submissions, and integrated social networking features to facilitate collaboration and networking among participants.

3. Accessibility Improvements: Insights from our research underscored the importance of accessibility in ensuring equitable participation in tech events. We identified barriers faced by students from underserved regions, such as limited internet access and lack of technological devices. In response, we implemented strategies to improve accessibility, such as optimizing our platform for low-bandwidth connections, providing offline access options, and partnering with local organizations to distribute resources to students in need.

4. Inclusion Initiatives: Our research revealed disparities in participation rates among different demographic groups, particularly in terms of gender and socioeconomic status. To address these disparities, we launched targeted inclusion initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and representation in our hackathon events. For example, we implemented outreach programs to engage female students and students from marginalized communities, provided scholarships for participants facing financial barriers, and offered mentorship opportunities to support underrepresented groups throughout the event.

5. Continuous Iteration: The data collected from our research and studies serve as a feedback loop that informs our iterative development process. We regularly gather feedback from participants and organizers, analyze user metrics and engagement data, and conduct post-event evaluations to assess the impact of our platform. This continuous iteration allows us to identify areas for improvement, refine our strategies, and adapt to evolving needs and preferences.

Overall, the data collected from our research and studies have been instrumental in shaping the evolution of our hackathon platform. By listening to our users, understanding their needs, and responding proactively to feedback, we are able to create a more inclusive, accessible, and effective platform that empowers Tanzanian students and promotes equitable access to tech opportunities.

Describe your organization's need to strengthen the evidence base of your solution. [300-500 words recommended]

Our organization recognizes the critical importance of strengthening the evidence base of our solution to further validate its effectiveness, enhance its impact, and drive sustainable growth. While we have made significant strides in developing our hackathon platform and facilitating tech events for Tanzanian students, there are several key areas where we need to strengthen the evidence base:

1. Impact Assessment: While anecdotal feedback from participants and organizers has been overwhelmingly positive, we recognize the need for more rigorous impact assessment to quantify the tangible outcomes and benefits of our hackathon platform. Conducting formal impact evaluations, such as quasi-experimental studies or randomized control trials, will allow us to measure the short-term and long-term effects of our solution on participants' learning outcomes, skills development, and career pathways. By demonstrating the positive impact of our platform, we can attract more stakeholders, secure funding opportunities, and scale our initiatives more effectively.

2. Inclusive Participation: Despite our efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in tech events, we acknowledge the need to further strengthen our evidence base around inclusive participation. By conducting formative research, such as user interviews and surveys, we aim to better understand the barriers faced by underrepresented groups, including women, students from rural areas, and individuals from low-income backgrounds. This research will inform targeted interventions and strategies to enhance inclusivity, improve access, and address systemic inequalities in the tech sector.

3. User Engagement and Retention: Ensuring sustained user engagement and retention is essential for the long-term success and sustainability of our platform. By leveraging data analytics and user metrics, we seek to gain deeper insights into user behavior, preferences, and motivations. Understanding why users engage with our platform, what features they find most valuable, and what factors contribute to their continued participation will enable us to optimize our platform, tailor our offerings, and design more effective engagement strategies.

4. Scalability and Adaptability: As we aspire to expand our reach and impact beyond Tanzania, it is imperative to strengthen the evidence base around the scalability and adaptability of our solution to diverse contexts and settings. By conducting comparative studies and cross-cultural evaluations, we can assess the transferability of our platform to other regions, identify contextual factors that influence its effectiveness, and refine our approach to better meet the needs of diverse populations.

Now is the right time to engage in a LEAP Project because it offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with expert researchers and social entrepreneurs, access valuable resources and support, and embark on a structured process of evidence generation and capacity building. By participating in the LEAP Project, we aim to accelerate our organization's learning journey, deepen our impact, and contribute to the global knowledge base on effective education interventions. Moreover, the LEAP Project aligns with our strategic goals of fostering innovation, promoting evidence-based practices, and advancing equity and inclusion in education and technology.

What are 2-3 research questions that you would like your LEAP Project to help you answer? [100 words recommended]

1. How does participation in virtual and hybrid hackathons facilitated by our platform impact students' digital literacy skills, problem-solving abilities, and self-efficacy in technology?
2. What factors contribute to inclusive participation in tech events among underrepresented groups, and how can our platform be optimized to address barriers and promote diversity?
3. What strategies are most effective in promoting sustained user engagement and retention on our platform, and how can these insights inform the design of future tech initiatives?

What type of research methods do you think will help answer your stated questions? Select all that apply.

• Formative research (e.g. usability studies; feasibility studies; case studies; user interviews; implementation studies; process evaluations; pre-post or multi-measure research; correlational studies)

Please elaborate on your selection above by describing your desired outputs of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint. [300 - 500 words recommended]

For our 12-week LEAP Project sprint, we aim to achieve several key outputs that will significantly contribute to strengthening the evidence base of our solution:

1. Research Recommendations: We anticipate that the LEAP Fellows will produce research recommendations tailored to our specific needs and objectives. These recommendations may include various study designs, strategies, frameworks, and monitoring and evaluation tools that will inform our approach to enhancing the evidence base of our solution. For example, the Fellows may propose the implementation of longitudinal studies to track the long-term impact of our hackathon events on participants' skill development and career trajectories. They may also suggest innovative frameworks for evaluating the effectiveness of our online platform in facilitating collaborative learning and fostering innovation among participants.

2. Impact Assessment Tools: One of our primary goals is to develop robust impact assessment tools that allow us to measure the outcomes and impact of our hackathon events more effectively. These tools may include surveys, interviews, and assessment instruments designed to capture quantitative and qualitative data on participants' learning outcomes, skills development, and overall experience with the events. The LEAP Fellows will work closely with our team to design and pilot these assessment tools, ensuring they are user-friendly, culturally sensitive, and aligned with our research objectives.

3. Best Practices Guide: We envision the creation of a comprehensive best practices guide that synthesizes the insights and lessons learned from our previous hackathon events and incorporates evidence-based recommendations from the LEAP Project. This guide will serve as a valuable resource for organizers, educators, and policymakers interested in implementing similar initiatives in their communities. It will outline key principles for designing and delivering effective hackathon events, strategies for maximizing participant engagement and learning outcomes, and tips for overcoming common challenges encountered during event planning and execution.

4. Knowledge Sharing Platform: To facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders in the education and technology sectors, we plan to develop a dedicated online platform or resource hub. This platform will host a repository of research findings, case studies, and practical resources related to hackathon-based learning and innovation. The LEAP Fellows will contribute to the development of this platform by curating content, creating multimedia resources, and engaging with stakeholders to gather feedback and input.

Overall, our desired outputs from the 12-week LEAP Project sprint align with our organization's commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement. We believe that the insights and recommendations generated through this collaborative initiative will not only enhance the effectiveness of our solution but also contribute to the broader field of experiential learning and innovation in education.

How will your organization put these outputs into action? [300-500 words recommended]

Following the conclusion of the LEAP Project sprint and the generation of the desired outputs, our organization is committed to putting these outputs into action in several strategic ways:

1. Implementation of Research Recommendations: The research recommendations produced by the LEAP Fellows will serve as guiding principles for our future hackathon events and platform development efforts. We will carefully review and prioritize these recommendations, integrating them into our organizational strategies and operational plans. For example, if the research suggests the need for enhanced mentorship programs during hackathons, we will allocate resources to recruit experienced mentors and provide training opportunities for them. Similarly, if the recommendations emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion, we will take proactive measures to ensure our events are accessible and welcoming to participants from diverse backgrounds.

2. Refinement of Impact Assessment Tools: The impact assessment tools developed during the LEAP Project sprint will be refined and incorporated into our standard evaluation procedures for all future hackathon events. We will pilot-test these tools during upcoming events, collecting data from participants before, during, and after the events to measure changes in their knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The insights gathered from these assessments will inform ongoing improvements to our event design, content delivery, and participant support mechanisms. Additionally, we will use the data to generate evidence-based reports and case studies demonstrating the impact of our events on participants' learning outcomes and professional development.

3. Dissemination of Best Practices Guide: The best practices guide created as part of the LEAP Project will be disseminated widely to relevant stakeholders, including educators, event organizers, policymakers, and industry partners. We will distribute the guide through our website, social media channels, and professional networks, making it freely accessible to anyone interested in organizing or supporting hackathon-based learning initiatives. Additionally, we will leverage opportunities to present the findings and recommendations from the guide at conferences, workshops, and other professional events, reaching audiences across the education and technology sectors.

4. Launch of Knowledge Sharing Platform: The development of the knowledge sharing platform will be a priority for our organization following the LEAP Project sprint. We will allocate resources to design and launch the platform, ensuring it is user-friendly, interactive, and engaging. The platform will serve as a centralized hub for hosting research reports, articles, videos, and other resources related to hackathon-based learning and innovation. We will actively promote the platform to our network of stakeholders and encourage contributions from community members, fostering a collaborative and inclusive knowledge-sharing environment.

Overall, our organization is committed to leveraging the outputs of the LEAP Project to drive continuous improvement, innovation, and impact in our programs and initiatives. By integrating research findings, best practices, and stakeholder insights into our organizational practices, we aim to maximize the effectiveness and sustainability of our efforts to empower learners and foster technological innovation.

Describe your desired long-term outcomes of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint for both your organization and solution. [300-500 words recommended]

The desired long-term outcomes of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint for our organization and solution encompass both immediate changes and sustainable impacts that contribute to our overarching mission and vision. These outcomes are aimed at advancing our organizational effectiveness, enhancing the quality and reach of our solution, and ultimately driving positive change in the educational technology landscape.

For our organization:

1. Enhanced Organizational Capacity: One of the primary outcomes we aim to achieve is the strengthening of our organizational capacity to design, implement, and evaluate hackathon events and online learning platforms. Through the LEAP Project sprint, we expect to develop new skills, knowledge, and tools that enable us to operate more efficiently and effectively. This includes improvements in project management, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning. By enhancing our capacity, we can better fulfill our mission of promoting tech education and innovation in Tanzania and beyond.

2. Established Research Culture: Another key outcome is the establishment of a research culture within our organization, where evidence-based decision-making and continuous learning are prioritized. By engaging in rigorous research activities during the LEAP Project sprint, we seek to cultivate a mindset of curiosity, inquiry, and reflection among our team members. This includes fostering a collaborative environment where staff are empowered to contribute ideas, test assumptions, and critically evaluate outcomes. Over time, we envision our organization becoming a recognized leader in educational technology research and innovation, driving positive change in the sector.

For our solution:

1. Improved Solution Effectiveness: The LEAP Project sprint is expected to yield insights and recommendations that directly contribute to the improvement of our solution's effectiveness in achieving its intended outcomes. By implementing the research findings and best practices identified during the sprint, we anticipate enhancements in the design, delivery, and impact of our hackathon events and online learning platform. This may include refinements to event structures, curriculum content, participant support mechanisms, and evaluation frameworks. Ultimately, these improvements will result in a more engaging, accessible, and impactful learning experience for participants.

2. Expanded Reach and Impact: Another desired outcome is the expansion of our solution's reach and impact, both geographically and demographically. Through the implementation of evidence-based strategies identified during the LEAP Project sprint, we aim to reach a broader audience of learners, including those from underserved communities and marginalized groups. This may involve the development of targeted outreach initiatives, partnerships with local organizations, and the adaptation of our solution to diverse cultural contexts. By scaling our solution to new regions and populations, we can maximize its potential to empower learners, foster innovation, and drive social change.

Overall, the long-term outcomes of the LEAP Project sprint align with our organizational goals of continuous improvement, innovation, and impact. By leveraging the insights and recommendations generated through the sprint, we aim to strengthen our organization and solution, driving positive change in the educational technology landscape and empowering learners to thrive in the digital age.