FirstYearHack 2025: Hackathon Details

Dates:
  • Hackathon Event: February 26th, 2025, 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Submission Deadline: February 26th, 2025, 7:00 PM (Specific submission instructions will be provided)
Eligibility:
  • This hackathon is exclusively open to first-year students at King's College London.

What to Build:

Technical Route (Code-based Projects):
  • A functional Windows-compatible desktop application (.exe or Java, runnable via IntelliJ/BlueJ) OR a web application (runnable on Chrome).
  • Your application must incorporate at least two gamification elements (e.g., leaderboards, badges, progress tracking).
Non-Technical Route (Design-based Projects):
  • A well-defined gamified concept for enhancing student life at KCL.
  • Your concept must include at least two gamification elements.
  • Visual representations of your concept, such as mockups, wireframes, or other design assets.
! IMPORTANT !
  • Your project must be original and be developed/created on the day of the hackathon (e.g. you can't submit a project you've already worked on but you can use a project idea).
  • You are not allowed to use any paid resources or trials of resources (e.g. you're not allowed to use the OpenAI API but you can use a free huggingface LLM model).
  • Use of AI Chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Deepseek, Copilot) are allowed! (We wouldn't be able to tell anyway)
  • Other than that, you can use anything that is free.

What to Submit:

Technical Route (Code-based Projects):
  • Project Code: A public GitHub repository containing all project code.
  • Installation Guide: A clear installation guide within the README.md file of your repository.
  • Demo Video: A 4-minute video demonstrating your application's functionality and gamification elements.
Non-Technical Route (Design-based Projects):
  • Concept Presentation: A PDF, presentation (PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.), or Figma file detailing your gamified concept.
  • Pitch Video: A 4-minute video pitching your gamified concept and showcasing its potential impact.
General Submission Requirements (Both Routes):
  • Original Work: All submissions must be original work created by the team for this hackathon.

Prizes:

[Insert Prize Information Here]

Judging Criteria and Winner Selection:

Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Creativity & Innovation: How original and inventive is the idea?
  • Gamification Elements: How effectively are gamification principles integrated into the solution?
  • Usability (Technical) / Design Quality (Non-Technical): How user-friendly and well-designed is the solution? How polished are the mockups and wireframes?
  • Feasibility: How realistic and achievable is the proposed solution?
  • Team Collaboration: Evidence of effective teamwork (e.g., Git history for technical projects).
  • Demo/Pitch Quality: Clarity and effectiveness of the 4-minute video presentation.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and the judging process will consist of reviewing submissions. The decisions of the judges are final.