Date

April 5 & April 6 2025

Register

https://www.scarlethacks.com/

ELIGIBILITY

18+ years old
College Student
Have a team of no larger than 4 members
Need to register in order to participate

What to Build

The possibilities are endless! Participants are encouraged to think creatively and develop projects that drive sustainability and foster equity within communities. This year’s hackathon challenges teams to leverage technology to tackle pressing environmental and social challenges, creating solutions that promote long-term ecological balance and inclusivity.

Projects should be relevant to urban environments and community needs, considering factors like accessibility, climate resilience, and social justice. Whether it’s designing smart environmental monitoring systems, improving green infrastructure, advancing digital accessibility, or fostering economic inclusion, solutions should aim to create a tangible, positive impact.

From sustainable city innovations to equitable digital platforms, participants should focus on real-world impact, collaboration, and creative problem-solving to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.

What to Submit

Participants must submit a working prototype of their project, hosted on GitHub, demonstrating its functionality and impact. Additionally, teams will present their project to the judges during the evaluation rounds, showcasing their solution, technical implementation, and how it addresses the hackathon theme.

Judging Rounds

Round 1: Idea & Initial Progress Evaluation

Judges will review each team’s project idea, alignment with the hackathon theme, and initial progress. Teams will present their problem understanding, solution feasibility, and early implementation. Judges will provide feedback and challenge teams with inputs to refine their approach for the final round.

Round 2: Final Prototype Evaluation

Judges will assess the completed projects based on functionality, usability, technical execution, and impact. Emphasis will be placed on how well teams incorporated feedback from Round 1 to refine and enhance their solutions.

Judging Criteria and Winner Selection

Innovation & Creativity : How original is your idea? Teams will be scored on their solution's uniqueness and the creativity level applied to solve the problem. The most innovative and unconventional approaches will stand out.

Technical Implementation: The functionality, design, and complexity of the prototype will be assessed. Judges will look at how well the solution has been built, including the quality of code, user experience, and overall execution.

Adaptation to Feedback: Projects should demonstrate improvement based on feedback received during Round 1. Effective integration of suggestions and refinements will be considered.

Team Collaboration: Strong teamwork and coordination play a key role in successful projects. Judges will assess how well team members worked together to develop and present their solution.

Presentation & Demo: A clear, structured, and engaging presentation is essential. The ability to effectively communicate the problem, solution, and impact through a live demonstration will be evaluated.

Impact: Projects will be assessed based on their potential to address real-world challenges. Consideration will be given to the significance of the problem tackled, the positive outcomes for the community, and the scalability of the solution.

Hackathon Code of Conduct

At Scarlet Hacks, we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect, kindness, and empathy. To ensure that our hackathon is a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we ask all participants to adhere to the following code of conduct:

1. Respect: Treat all participants, organizers, sponsors, and volunteers with respect and consideration. Respect differences in opinions, beliefs, backgrounds, and identities.

2. Inclusivity: Welcome and support people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. Foster an environment where everyone feels valued, included, and empowered to participate.

3. Collaboration: Embrace collaboration and teamwork. Work together respectfully, communicate openly, and contribute positively to group dynamics.

4. Safety: Prioritize the safety and well-being of all participants. Report any concerns or incidents to the organizers immediately.

5. Harassment-Free Environment: Maintain a harassment-free environment. Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or any form of inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

6. Diversity and Inclusion: Celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity. Encourage participation from underrepresented groups and strive to create a diverse and inclusive community.

7. Professionalism: Conduct yourself professionally at all times. Behave in a manner that reflects positively on yourself and the hackathon community.

8. Compliance with Laws and Policies: Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including those related to intellectual property, data privacy, and code of conduct.

9. Responsible Use of Technology: Use technology responsibly and ethically. Respect intellectual property rights, privacy rights, and the rights of others.

10. Feedback and Improvement: Provide constructive feedback to help improve the hackathon experience. Be open to receiving feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Enforcement

Participants who violate the code of conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, including warnings, removal from the event, or banning from future events. The organizers reserve the right to enforce the code of conduct as they deem appropriate.

Reporting

If you experience or witness any violations of the code of conduct, or if you have any concerns or questions, please report them to the organizers immediately. You can reach out to an organizer or acm@iit.edu.