From Big Idea to Prototype: A Challenge-Based Learning Framework for Hackathons in Higher Education

Efraín Ortíz-Pabón, Lady Fernández-Mora, Nestor Armando Nova-Arévalo, Juan E. Gómez-Morantes

2025

Abstract

This paper introduces the Hack4CBL framework, which integrates Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) principles into hackathon design to enhance multidisciplinary education in higher education settings. By aligning the stages of a hackathon—pre-hackathon, hackathon, and post-hackathon—with the CBL domains of engage, investigate, act, and transfer, the framework fosters meaningful collaboration among students pursuing diverse learning outcomes within the same project. We illustrate the effectiveness of Hack4CBL through a binational hackathon centered on Tourism 4.0, involving over 200 undergraduate students from Colombia and Costa Rica across disciplines like systems engineering, computer engineering, business administration, tourism management, and data science. Students formed interdisciplinary teams to tackle real-world challenges provided by industry professionals, leading to the development of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) over two months. Results indicate that integrating CBL into hackathons enhances collaboration, deepens domain-specific knowledge, and accelerates professional skill development. The Hack4CBL framework offers a replicable model for leveraging hackathons as powerful educational platforms closely aligned with professional realities.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Ortíz-Pabón E., Fernández-Mora L., Nova-Arévalo N. and Gómez-Morantes J. (2025). From Big Idea to Prototype: A Challenge-Based Learning Framework for Hackathons in Higher Education. In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU; ISBN 978-989-758-746-7, SciTePress, pages 670-677. DOI: 10.5220/0013233400003932

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu25,
author={Efraín Ortíz-Pabón and Lady Fernández-Mora and Nestor Nova-Arévalo and Juan Gómez-Morantes},
title={From Big Idea to Prototype: A Challenge-Based Learning Framework for Hackathons in Higher Education},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU},
year={2025},
pages={670-677},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013233400003932},
isbn={978-989-758-746-7},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU
TI - From Big Idea to Prototype: A Challenge-Based Learning Framework for Hackathons in Higher Education
SN - 978-989-758-746-7
AU - Ortíz-Pabón E.
AU - Fernández-Mora L.
AU - Nova-Arévalo N.
AU - Gómez-Morantes J.
PY - 2025
SP - 670
EP - 677
DO - 10.5220/0013233400003932
PB - SciTePress