DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore recently partnered with OceanX to launch the first OceanX Hackathon in Singapore, bringing together students from art, design, and computer science disciplines for a bold new initiative aimed at transforming ocean education for the digital age. This collaboration reflects a shared vision: protecting the ocean begins with understanding it, and the next generation has a vital role to play in building that understanding.
OceanX is a nonprofit organization that combines science, technology, media, and education to advance ocean understanding and bring the ocean closer to people around the world. Through OceanX Education, the organization is dedicated to inspiring, equipping, and empowering the next wave of ocean leaders through hands-on programs, storytelling, and global collaboration. OceanX Education believes that students, with their creativity, technical skills, and fresh perspectives, can play a powerful role in advancing ocean literacy and helping more people understand their connection to the ocean.
This belief served as the catalyst for the hackathon, where OceanX partnered with DigiPen (Singapore) to challenge students to translate complex ocean science into engaging digital experiences. Participants were tasked with creating an immersive experience around the theme of “extreme environments,” giving users a taste of what it means to survive in such circumstances while exploring the limits of life.
Brine pools, mysterious underwater lakes hidden deep within the ocean, were the focus of this hackathon. At three to eight times saltier than the surrounding seawater, brine pools are extremely dense, oxygen-deprived, and shrouded in complete darkness. They are among the most extreme environments on the planet and lethal to most organisms that wander in, yet certain specialized life forms are still able to thrive there.
Over the course of the two-day hackathon, participants used OceanX data and assets to develop a range of captivating projects around brine pools. The goal was to help users learn about these environments while sparking curiosity, connection, and a deeper sense of care for the ocean. Teams were encouraged to experiment with different technologies and formats, from virtual reality simulations to narrative-driven games. The result was a variety of prototypes, such as interactive games featuring deep-sea creatures and immersive ocean exhibits that highlight the richness and diversity of marine ecosystems.
With this inaugural hackathon, DigiPen (Singapore) and OceanX are helping to explore new pathways for ocean education through technology and creative storytelling. It has been an honor to be part of this initiative, and we look forward to more inspiring collaborations in the future.