The American College of Sofia is Hosting the Third TOM Makeathon

The American College of Sofia is hosting the Third Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) Makeathon at its Student Computer Innovation & Fabrication Institute (SCIFI) from March 21 to March 24. The 72-hour challenge brings together need-knowers - people with special abilities - and makers – designers, engineers and handy people to come up with prototypes to technological solutions for problems that people with special needs meet every day.

Tikkun Olam stems from the Jewish value of fixing the world, while the TOM Challenges originate in Israel and are now being held in countries around the world, with Australia, Chile, Serbia, Canada, and the United States, to mention a few.

The Opening Ceremony of the Third TOM Bulgaria Makeathon, took place in Whitaker Auditorium at the American College of Sofia and was attended by Dr. Richard Tucker Ewing Jr., President of the American College of Sofia, H. E. Irit Lillian, Ambassador of the State of Israel and H.E. Eric Rubin, Ambassador of the United States of America, the TOM Bulgaria team of volunteers, participants and members of the ACS community.

Immediately following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a panel on “Communicating with people with special needs.” The lecture presented the viewpoint of people with special needs on the appropriate ways to approach and communicate most effectively with them. This event, together with the wider spectrum of TOM activities, is designed to bring communities and individuals closer to one another, make the world more inclusive and break down barriers.

Other events surrounding the makeathon include meet-and-greet with two guide dogs employed at Four Paws Foundation on Friday, virtual reality (VR) drawing for need-knowers, Robotic Adventures Program for kids, featuring Technokrati and other surprises for the participants on Saturday.

The culmination is expected to take place at 1 PM on Sunday when the 5 teams will be submitting and presenting their blueprints, drawings, and prototypes. While the distinguished jury evaluates the projects, participants, guests, and friends are invited to enjoy a fair in the lobby of Ostrander Hall, featuring inspiriting and groundbreaking technologies in help of people with special needs. The Closing and Awarding Ceremony will start at 3 PM, again at the Whitaker Auditorium. All activities on Sunday between 1 PM and 3 PM are open to the public; we’ll be glad to welcome you there.