About the event

Welcome to The Academy for Innovative Education's first Techathon, a challenge for our students of all skill levels. This event offers workshops to learn new skills or refine existing ones, events to have fun and network in, challenges to take on, and a program showcase from the middle school students. Whether you are a beginner with no experience, or one of our more advanced students, we hope you enjoy this exciting oppurtunity to create and innovate!

Students and their parents are welcome to attend workshops if interested. Submitting a project for the challenges is only available to students.

What do you do and what do you need to know?

A hackathon is a social coding event that brings computer programmers and other interested people together to improve upon or build a new software program. The word hackathon is a portmanteau of the words hacker, which means clever programmer, and marathon, an event marked by endurance. You will spend the duration of this event programming or using technical software to create something new based on the challenges you are presented with. If you don't know how to do any of that, that's okay. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of if you are a beginner or an advanced student. There will be workshops to learn from, activites to partcipate in, challenges to conquer, and prizes to earn! While there will be workshops to learn and mentors to help out, this event promotes self initiative and learning. If you have a great idea but don't know how to do it, open a new tab in your browser and get to searching! The resources tab on this site has a few great links to get started!

Get started

Be sure to attend the opening ceremony on Friday, May 17th, 2024 (3:00 PM Eastern Time). Take a moment to ensure you are familiar with the rules of the event.

Requirements

What to Build

This event has 5 challenges that the students can attempt to solve. If a submission can be applied to multiple categories, it will be eligible to receive judgement for each category it applies to. There is a team size maximum of three students. You may use any programming language or software, unless a challenge specifically instructs you on what to use. You may use any resources online, including AI, to help you make your project. Your project must be made within the span of the event. You can not submit work created prior to the event.

 

Challenge 1:

Challenge one is for lower school and is available on the Google Classroom.

 

Challenge 2: CAD Robotics

Design Brief:
You are tasked with creating a robot capable of navigating rough terrain and locating "survivors" in a simulated disaster scenario using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. The robot must be able to maneuver over various obstacles, including rubble, debris, climb, and uneven surfaces. It has to be able detect survivors and have a durable design to withstand harsh conditions.  

Key Requirements:
1. Design a rugged and durable robot chassis capable of traversing rough terrain.
2. Include a suspension system or appropriate wheel design for improved traction and stability.
3. Integrate sensors for detecting survivors, ensuring accurate and efficient location tracking.
4. Design a modular system for easy maintenance and potential future upgrades.
5. Ensure the robot is capable of remote control or autonomous operation.
6. Consider power source options, such as rechargeable batteries or solar panels for extended mission duration.
7. Include communication devices for transmitting survivor locations to a control center.

Deliverables:
1. Detailed CAD drawings of the robot, including dimensions, materials, and assembly instructions.
2. Rendered images or animations showcasing the robot's design from various angles.
3. An explanatory document detailing the robot's features, capabilities, and design rationale.
4. Optional: Simulation of the robot's performance in a disaster scenario using CAD software.

Evaluation Criteria:
1. Design creativity and innovation in addressing the challenge.
2. Practicality and efficiency of the robot's features for navigating rough terrain and locating survivors.
3. Attention to detail in the CAD drawings and documentation.
4. Feasibility and robustness of the robot's design for real-world disaster scenarios.
5. Overall presentation and clarity of the submission.

Challenge 3: Vending Machine

Design/program a touch screen UI for a vending machine to be run on the following hardware:

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B - 4GB RAM

Configuration of Debian with Raspberry Pi Desktop will be provided for participant laptops within VirualBox on Saturday.

Examples of similar projects:

https://www.instructables.com/Smart-Vendor/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz3uacgFcwo

https://www.instructables.com/MODERN-VENDING-MACHINE-GUIS-USING-RASPBERRY-PI-WIT/

https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/refurbished-vending-machine/

No need to design/program controls for any motors/dispensers.

Winning team will have the opportunity to request such hardware to complete a build next school year.

Follows default listed Judging Criteria.

 

Challenge 4: Code For good

Create a software that reinforces protecting the environment, spreading awareness, or promoting behaviors that benefit the environment

You must submit any files involved with your program and take a screen recording of your project in action.

Follows default listed Judging Criteria.

 

Challenge 5: Game Development

Create a game that has a central theme or mechanic involving colors.

You must submit any files involved with your program and take a screen recording of your game in action.

Follows default listed Judging Criteria.

 

What to Submit

Submission content is dependent on each challenge. Please look at the "What To Build" section for more information. Contestants will be emailed a guide on how to submit their projects.

Video demonstration

You must submit a video recording of your project in action. This can be a video recording of a real life component or a screen recording of a digital project. Be sure your video demonstrates any functionality/features you would like the judges to see.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$950 in prizes
Code For Good First Place
1 winner

$125 in gift cards

Code For Good Second Place
1 winner

$75 in gift cards

Code For Good Third Place
1 winner

$50 in gift cards

Game Development First Place
1 winner

$125 in gift cards + Gaming Headset

Game Development Second Place
1 winner

$75 in gift cards + Gaming Headset

Game Development Third Place
1 winner

$50 in gift cards + Gaming Headset

Robotics Third Place
1 winner

$50 in gift cards

Robotics Second Place
1 winner

$75 in gift cards

Robotics First Place
1 winner

$125 in gift cards

Vending Machine First Place
1 winner

$125 in gift cards

Vending Machine Second Place
1 winner

$75 in gift cards

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Jp Lacayo
Teacher

Anthony Arnold
Teacher

Ian Moore
Teacher

Pedro Curiel

Pedro Curiel
Teacher

Brandy Curiel
AP

Brian Regan
Tech Specialist

Azby Enriquez

Judging Criteria

  • Functionality (Code for good, Vending Machine)
    The project/solution runs and functions correctly. Bugs are few to nonexistent and do not hinder the user experience or the project goal.
  • Technical Innovation (Code for good, Vending Machine)
    The project/solution is unique and creative, as well as technically innovative. There is an easily identifiable potential impact on real-world problems.
  • Code Quality (Code for good, Vending Machine)
    The project/solution has code that is clean, effective, readable, and well documented.
  • Fun Factor (Game Development)
    The project is fun to play/experience and has a gameplay loop/story that is enjoyable to engage with.
  • Visuals (Game Development)
    The project is visually appealing and/or visually impressive.
  • Engagement/Fulfilling (Game Development)
    The project is engaging and keeps the user wanting to play more. Alternatively, an experience designed to be played once feels whole, complete, and worth the time.
  • Design (Robotics)
    A look at the project's details, dimensions and submitted materials revolving around the robot design and approach to the challenge.
  • Practicality (Robotics)
    How practical, efficient, feasible, and robust the robot's design is. A look at how the robot can be applied to real world scenarios.
  • Presentation (Robotics)
    Presentation of robot and clarity of submission materials.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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Hackathon sponsors

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