At SEPR in Lyon, innovation has always been part of the school’s DNA. Over the past years, the institution has transformed the “Hackathon” concept—often associated with technology and competition—into a powerful pedagogical method to engage learners and teachers in creative, multidisciplinary, and international collaboration.
This methodology, now available as a teaching module on the MOSAIC Moodle, has been tested and refined through four editions of workshops at SEPR, culminating in the International Skills Performance (ISP) hackathon, “From Waste to Wow!”, held in Lyon in September 2024.
A Short History of SEPR’s Hackathon Journey
The story began in 2019, alongside the opening of SEPR’s DN MADE (National Diploma in Design, Arts and Crafts – EQF 6). The goal was simple yet ambitious:
“We wanted to bring internationalisation home,” recalls SEPR’s international relations coordinator.
“With Erasmus+ opening new types of activities such as ‘teaching missions,’ we saw an opportunity to create a space where our students could experience international cooperation without having to go abroad.”
The first workshops invited designers from Finland, Spain, Ireland, and beyond, mixing them with SEPR students from jewellery, furniture design, digital creation, and graphic design. What started as a pedagogical experiment soon became a flagship experience for first-year DN MADE students—and an integral part of SEPR’s training strategy.
“It’s not an extra,” one of the pedagogical coordinators explains. “It’s fully embedded in the progression of the training. It’s part of how we teach.”
More Than a Workshop: A Pedagogical Component in Its Own Right
At SEPR, the hackathon is not treated as a bonus or a side project. It has become a structured part of the learning path, aligned with the référentiel of the DN MADE diploma. Although not explicitly listed as a separate unit, it fulfills several of the référentiel’s core objectives—particularly in creative research, experimentation, teamwork, and project-based learning.
“The hackathon is a condensed version of what design education is about,” explains a teacher. “Students are asked to research, to conceptualize, to test, and to produce—exactly as described in their curriculum framework.”
Because the DN MADE programme encourages inquiry-driven learning and collaborative design thinking, the hackathon naturally fits into the progression of the training. It acts as both a pedagogical accelerator and a real-world simulation, helping students connect theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.
“It’s a short, intense project—four and a half days—that pushes everyone to be effective and reactive,” adds the coordinator. “For the teachers too, it’s a way to rethink their pedagogy, to work differently, and to experiment together.”
Why a Hackathon?
Unlike traditional workshops, SEPR’s hackathons are short, intense, and collaborative. Over four to five days, students are grouped in multidisciplinary teams, guided by teachers and expert designers. They are challenged to co-create an innovative object or prototype responding to a real-world theme—often linked to sustainability, equality, or social responsibility.
For the 2024 International Skills Performance, the theme “From Waste to Wow!” invited participants to transform recycled materials from SEPR’s own workshops into desirable design objects.
“It’s intense,” says one of the experts. “The format forces everyone—students and teachers—to be effective, reactive, and inventive. You have to prepare well in advance, and during those four and a half days, you must think fast and work together efficiently.”
A Learning Experience for Students
For the students, the benefits go far beyond technical skills. Hackathons immerse them in real-life creative processes—from research and brainstorming to prototyping and presentation—all within tight deadlines.
“They learn to collaborate with people from different disciplines, to communicate in English, to compromise, and to value collective achievement over individual success,” explains one of SEPR’s teachers.
Students often start the week anxious—worried about speaking English or not being “good enough.” But by the final day, presenting their work at public venues like the WorldSkills Villa in Lyon, they describe the experience as transformative.
A post-event survey confirmed remarkable growth in soft skills: communication, teamwork, creativity, and emotional resilience.
“It’s a powerful exercise in equality,” one participant wrote. “Everyone’s voice counts.”
Some students have even gone on to secure international internships with the designers they met during the hackathon—proof of the networking power of such collaborative experiences.
A Transformation for Teachers
Hackathons also redefine teaching dynamics. Teachers no longer stand in front of the class—they become facilitators, co-learners, and collaborators.
“For teachers, it’s very formative,” says a SEPR coordinator. “They work with colleagues from other disciplines and foreign designers. They have to rethink their pedagogy, adapt their methods, and even practice their English.”
This exposure often sparks new professional mobility: some teachers later pursue job-shadowing experiences abroad or develop international joint projects inspired by their hackathon collaboration.
“It gives both teachers and students the courage to step out of their comfort zones,” one staff member shared. “And that’s when real learning happens.”
Why It Works
SEPR’s success with hackathons lies in three key principles:
- Interdisciplinarity – Mixing jewellery, furniture, graphic, and digital design students creates unexpected synergies.
- International collaboration – Designers from across Europe bring fresh perspectives and cultural exchange.
- Time pressure and creativity – The short, intensive format boosts focus, adaptability, and problem-solving.
The result? A pedagogical environment that mirrors the reality of creative industries—fast, collaborative, and innovation-driven.
“At midweek, some teams collapse,” laughs one organizer, “but they rise again stronger. We call it the Wednesday collapse—it’s part of the process!”
From Practice to Pedagogical Module
The success of these experiences inspired the MOSAIC partners to transform the Hackathon concept into a dedicated training module for VET teachers. The goal: to equip educators with the tools, steps, and mindset to replicate the methodology in their own institutions.
This module is now available as part of the “Teaching for Tomorrow” series on the MOSAIC Moodle platform, providing practical guidance, examples, and resources to help VET centers launch their own hackathon experiences.
A Final Word
At SEPR, the hackathon is no longer an event—it’s a pedagogical philosophy. It fosters creativity, international collaboration, and adaptability—skills essential for today’s learners and tomorrow’s professionals.
“It changes how students see themselves,” says one teacher. “They realise they can create, lead, and collaborate on a European stage.”
For VET centers looking to energize their training and bring innovation to their classrooms, SEPR’s experience proves that the Hackathon Methodology is much more than a trend—it’s a transformative learning tool.
👉 Explore the MOSAIC Hackathon Module on MOSAIC Moodle and learn how to bring this engaging approach to your own school.
