The STEMergent Ideathon & Hackathon challenges students to use technology to solve real problems in their schools, communities, and beyond.

Participants can choose between two pathways depending on their experience level:

Ideathon Pathway - Design a creative, realistic technology solution without needing to fully build it. Focus on identifying an important problem, explaining your solution, and showing what it could look like through slides, mockups, or a prototype.

Hackathon Pathway -Turn an idea into a functional project. Build a website, app, tool, or prototype that addresses a meaningful problem affecting students, schools, nonprofits, or communities.

Whether this is your first competition or you've participated in hackathons before, there's a pathway for you.

 

Requirements

What to Build

Build a project that uses STEM and technology to address a meaningful real-world problem affecting students, schools, nonprofits, communities, or another group with a clear need.

You may participate through either pathway:

  • Ideathon Pathway: Develop an innovative idea, solution, or concept. A working prototype is not required.
  • Hackathon Pathway: Build a working prototype, application, device, or other tangible solution that demonstrates your proposed solution.

Your project should demonstrate creativity, thoughtful problem-solving, and potential impact. Projects do not need to be highly technically complex to be competitive.

What to Submit

Submit your project through the designated competition platform before the announced deadline. Your submission should include:

  • Project Title
  • Project Description: Explain the problem you are addressing, your solution, and how it works.
  • Pathway: Indicate whether you are submitting under the Ideathon or Hackathon Pathway.
  • Team Details: List all members of your team.
  • Screenshots, GIFs, or Other Visuals: Show your project or proposed solution where applicable.
  • Demo Video: Recommended for Hackathon submissions and may be required if specified by the organizers.
  • Code or Prototype Link: Include a link to your code, live application, prototype, or other relevant materials where applicable.
  • AI & Third-Party Resources: Disclose significant use of AI tools, APIs, datasets, libraries, or other third-party resources when requested.

 

All submissions must contain meaningful work created by the participants for this competition. Existing projects may be used as inspiration or a starting point, but simply submitting a previously completed project is not permitted.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

2 non-cash prizes
STEMergent Developer Role/Intern
5 winners

The top 3 projects judged in the hackathon pathway will receive invitations from STEMergent to become a developing intern at the organization. In this role, you will be able to continue building real websites and tools that nonprofits, businesses, and communities will use, impacting lives and making a difference.

More Prizes TBA
1 winner

To be announced soon!

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Stemergent Founders
Stemergent

More judges TBA/Looking for more judges!
Please email Stemergent@gmail.com if interested

Judging Criteria

  • Impact & Potential
    How meaningful is the problem the project addresses? Does the solution have the potential to help a real group of people? Could the idea realistically be expanded, adopted, or developed further?
  • Innovation
    How creative, original, or thoughtful is the approach? Does the project offer a novel perspective or an effective new approach to the problem?
  • Execution & Feasibility
    How effectively did the team turn their idea into a compelling, realistic solution? Consider development and appropriateness. For Hackathons, consider functionality and technical execution; for Ideathons, consider the solution design and prototype.
  • Presentation
    How clearly and effectively does the team communicate the problem, solution, and project? Is the submission easy to understand, and does the team clearly demonstrate why their solution matters?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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