This November 4th, join us and nearly 600 students from across the nation for 24 hours of creation, innovation, & fun. From seasoned coding veterans to first-time hackers from any major or field, all are welcome to join.
Discover your ability to create change by developing technology to solve real-world problems, get mentored by industry professionals, and enjoy tons of free food, swag, prizes, and much more!
Eligibility
- All projects must be built on site at HackPSU by registered participants
- Individuals over 18 years of age
- Teams can consist of up to 5 participants
Prizes
$5,804 in prizes
HackPSU - 1st Place Overall
Each member of the winning team receive a Drove, and Quadcoptor.
HackPSU - 2nd Place Overall
Each member of the winning team receive a JBL Flip 3
HackPSU - 3rd Place Overall
Each member of the winning team receive a Raspberry Pi Model 3
Best Hardware Workshop Integration
Each member of the winning team who completed the whole hardware workshop track in integrating what they learned from the hardware workshop receive an Arduino starter kit
Best Machine Learning Workshop Integration
Each member of the winning team who completed the whole machine learning workshop track in integrating what they learned from the hardware workshop receive an Amazon (AWS) gift card
Best Machine Learning Workshop Integration
Each member of the winning team who completed the whole web development workshop track in integrating what they learned from the hardware workshop receive an Amazon (AWS) gift card
EdTech Fisheye Challenge
Specifically for the EdTech Network, we will be running a social media contest. During the event, we will be giving away EdTech Network-branded fisheye lenses that can be attached to your smartphones. The contest will ask participants to post their best HackPSU photo (using the lens) to Twitter and tag the EdTech Network in the photo. Participants of the contest will have the opportunity to win one of four $25 gift cards.
BNY Mellon - Best FinTech Hack
Best FinTech Hack is given the opportunity to interview with BNY Mellon and an Amazon Echo or Amazon Taps
Blackboard Learn REST API Challenge
Best usage of the Blackboard Learn REST API to create something cool or to solve other HackPSU sponsors' challenge will receive a $300 Amazon gift card
IBM - Change the world with Watson
(3)
Best usage of IBM bluemix Watson API service in their project in order to solve other HackPSU sponsors' challenges will receive:
1st Place: $500 cash
2nd Place: $300 worth of IBM gift
3rd Place: $200 worth of IBM gift
GM - Next Generation Infotainment App Platform
We want to see a cool integration between a vehicle and other services (i.e. IBM bluemix Watson, Blackboard, etc).
Prizes are GM Swag Bag and Wireless Headphones
AccuWeather - Global Financial Hack
Build a unique user experience using AccuWeather APIs and win a $500 Amazon Gift Cards
Capital One - Best Financial Hack
Create the best and coolest financial project to win a $250 gift card
EdTech Network Challenge
Take any problem in higher education and use Artifical Intelligence to solve it and win a $99 Amazon gift card and meal from EdTech leadership from PSU and swag
Amazon Web Services - Best Use of AWS
$250 Amazon Web Services Credit
Best Domain Name from Domain.com
Raspberry Pi & PiHut Essential Kit
Virtual/Augmented Reality Category
If you are submitting a virtual or augmented reality hack, please select this category.
IoT Category
If you are submitting an IoT hack, please select this category.
Hobsons Starfish Challenge
Prize for Hobson's Starfish challenge.
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
How to enter
Register on Hackpsu.org to retrieve a QR code. Bring your QR code to check-in to this exciting hackathon. If you did not register beforehand, still come to check-in in person.
Judges

Mayank Makwana
Judging Criteria
-
Creativity and Originality
Our goal at HackPSU is to inspire hackers to be innovative with their hacks. Any hacks that approach problems in a new way will be given special consideration. -
Technical Difficulty
The harder the hack is to create, the more impressed we’ll be. We want to see the technologies used to bring hacks to life. Bonus points for using new, advanced technologies, or even technologies hackers created during the hackathon. -
Impact
Sometimes, hacks tend to be more than just cool projects as they tend to be capable of disruption in some field or space. We’ll be looking out for hacks that are specifically useful to certain groups of people or entire fields. -
Design
For the most part, one of the hardest parts in creating a hack is considering its aesthitics. We want to give credit to those hacks that are beautifully designed, bug-free, and easy to use.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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