I was at @MLHacks Rookie Hacks this weekend, a virtual hackathon for beginners.

Seeing people learn new skills together to build things that affect their communities made me feel hopeful at the end of this difficult week.

I wanted to share some projects I especially liked. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏼" title="Down pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">

1. ShareCare is an app that donates as you educate yourself.

It& #39;s focused on COVID awareness ($1 after each completed quiz to a hospital of your choice).

I imagine this being used to encourage people to educate themselves about other issues. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Eyes"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lemNhB6HhGo">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

2. Find A Safe Space is an app that helps you find all-gender restrooms on college campuses.

I take restrooms I can use in public spaces for granted. Locating a restroom that& #39;s not just M or W is hard and badly documented!

Grateful that this app exists. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCFqgatilw">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

3. TecConnect is an app that aims to redistribute tech resources from (currently closed) schools to students in low-income communities while we& #39;re in quarantine to make online learning more accessible. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💻" title="Personal computer" aria-label="Emoji: Personal computer">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👩🏼‍🎓" title="Woman student (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Woman student (medium light skin tone)"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eep9ySXg_vA">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

4. Recycle Bun is a game that teaches you about recycling.

The team learned @unity3d and C# this weekend to build an adorable bullet dodge where you play a bunny who has to put items in the correct recycling bin.

Did I mention that it& #39;s adorable? https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🐰" title="Rabbit face" aria-label="Emoji: Rabbit face">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☁" title="Cloud" aria-label="Emoji: Cloud">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="♻" title="Universal recycling symbol" aria-label="Emoji: Universal recycling symbol"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E97DHI-2Z8">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

5. This one is more funny than anything.

Guzzler is an app that educates you on how much detergent and gasoline is safe to drink.

Hint: the answer is zero! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚫" title="No entry sign" aria-label="Emoji: No entry sign">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⛽" title="Fuel pump" aria-label="Emoji: Fuel pump">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤯" title="Exploding head" aria-label="Emoji: Exploding head"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n62yBoo-X5Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch...