Hex-a-Thon: A Collaborative and Creative Learning Experience for Interdisciplinary Students Through Hands-On Innovation

The Hex-a-Thon is an innovative educational exercise designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on technical skills through a high-pressure, real-world-inspired environment. It was conducted at IdeaSquare, CERN as part of Fusion Point courses a partnership between Esade Business School, Instituto Europeo du Design and Polytechnical University of Catalonia. The Hex-a-Thon challenges students from diverse backgrounds (business, design and engineering) to build functional rapid prototypes of particle detector using sensors and different components. By leveraging experiential learning and design thinking principles, the exercise enhances problem-solving abilities and technical fluency while cultivating resilience and adaptability. This practice paper presents the outcomes of three iterations of the Hex-a-Thon, conducted in April, May, and September 2024, with a total of 111 students from various challenge-based innovation programs. Using qualitative methods, including participant observation, debriefing sessions, and feedback forms, we analysed students' experiences, skill development, and collaborative dynamics. The findings demonstrate that the Hex-a-Thon effectively enhances technical confidence, teamwork, and innovation, while also exposing students to the realities of working under pressure and navigating failure. The Hex-a-Thon model has proven to be a replicable and adaptable format for engineering education, offering insights into how hands-on innovation can be integrated into curricula to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice. This paper discusses the pedagogical implications and potential for future adaptations, including incorporating sustainability and ethical considerations to further enhance its relevance.