About the challenge

Go from idea to launch in one week.

 

iSTEM@Stevens Hacks is a week-long, virtual sprint designed to empower the next generation of problem-solvers, builders, and creators. 

This event brings together high school students from diverse backgrounds to tackle real-world challenges using cutting-edge technology, creativity, and teamwork. Whether you're an experienced coder, a creative thinker, or just passionate about solving big problems, this hackathon is your platform to shine.

Over the course of a week, participants will ideate, build, and pitch solutions addressing impactful themes such as AI for good, sustainability, and the future of learning. With support from mentors, access to AI-powered tools, and workshops tailored for young innovators, this challenge offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop new skills, and connect with like-minded peers.

Event Timing

Day 1: Saturday, March 8, 2025 – Kickoff & Orientation

  • 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Welcome and event overview. Join our Discord server!
  • 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Introduction to themes and problem statements.
  • 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Team formation (random or interest-based breakout rooms).
  • 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Ideation workshop (brainstorming techniques and Q&A).

 

Day 2: Sunday, March 9, 2025 – Refining Ideas & User Research

  • 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Brief session on "How to validate ideas."
  • 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM: Open office hours: Mentors assist teams with idea refinement and user research strategies.
  • 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Submission of finalized project ideas (one-paragraph summary).

 

Day 3: Monday, March 10, 2025 – Prototyping Kickoff

  • 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Workshop: "Using AI Tools for Rapid Prototyping."
  • 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Open build session and office hours for hands-on assistance.

 

Day 4: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – Midpoint Check-In

  • 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Workshop: "Building an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)."
  • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Team progress updates (2-minute check-ins per team).
  • 8:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Open build session and troubleshooting.

 

Day 5: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – Troubleshooting & Advanced Support

  • 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Debugging session: Common challenges and solutions.
  • 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Open build session and office hours for troubleshooting and feedback.

 

Day 6: Thursday, March 13, 2025 – Storytelling & Presentation Skills

  • 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Workshop: "Crafting a Winning Pitch" (storytelling, design, and delivery tips).
  • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Mock pitches in breakout rooms with mentor feedback.
  • 8:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Wrap-up and Q&A on improving presentations.

 

Day 7: Friday, March 14, 2025 – Final Touches and Submission Deadline

  • 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Open office hours: Teams polish prototypes and finalize pitch decks.
  • 11:59 PM: Submission deadline for all projects (demo video, code repo, pitch deck, and documentation).

 

Day 8: Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Final Pitch Day

  • 2:00 PM – 2:15 PM: Opening remarks and review of judging criteria.
  • 2:15 PM – 4:15 PM: Final presentations (3-minute pitch + 2-minute Q&A per team).
  • 4:15 PM – 4:30 PM: Judges deliberate.
  • 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Awards ceremony and closing remarks.

Get started

Getting started is easy!

  1. Sign Up on Devpost: Pot invitation, sign-up or join a team and familiarize yourself with the hackathon's themes and schedule.
  2. Attend the Kickoff: Meet fellow participants, hear from inspiring speakers, and dive into the ideation process.
  3. Leverage Resources: Take advantage of AI tools, workshops, and daily office hours to turn your ideas into impactful solutions.
  4. Start Building: Collaborate with your team to design, prototype, and refine your project. Remember, creativity and problem-solving are key!
  5. Pitch Your Vision: End the week by presenting your solution to a panel of judges, showcasing your innovation and storytelling skills.

This is an increadible opportunity to learn, create, and lead. Ready to make an impact? Let’s get started!

Requirements

What to Build

Participants are encouraged to create innovative solutions aligned with the hackathon’s themes. Your project can take many forms, such as:

  • A web or mobile application.
  • A hardware prototype (if feasible virtually).
  • A creative visualization, dashboard, or interactive tool.
  • Any other tech-driven solution that solves a real-world problem within the theme.

Projects should demonstrate originality, functionality, and feasibility. Leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot is highly encouraged to accelerate development.

What to Submit

For your submission, please include the following:

  1. Project Name and Description: A concise summary of your solution, its purpose, and the problem it addresses.
  2. Demo Video: A 2–3 minute video showcasing your project, highlighting its functionality, features, and impact.
  3. Code Repository: A link to your publicly accessible GitHub repository with the project’s source code.
  4. Presentation Deck: A polished pitch deck (PDF or slides) used to explain your project during the final pitch.
  5. Documentation: Any relevant setup instructions or details for replicating and running your project.

Make your submission as clear and complete as possible to help the judges understand and evaluate your work.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$500 in prizes
First Place
1 winner

iSTEM@Stevens Hacks winner

Second Place
1 winner

Second place in iSTEM Hacks Hackathon March 2025

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Hack Experts & Founders

Hack Experts & Founders
iSTEM@Stevens

Judging Criteria

  • Idea to Launch
    Team solved an important problem, in a giant market, and built a compelling painkiller.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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Hackathon sponsors

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