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Hackathons - What are they?

Hackathons are events where people collaborate intensively to create innovative solutions to specific problems, usually through coding and programming.
They typically last between 24 and 72 hours and can focus on themes like web development, app creation, artificial intelligence, or social good
Short term hackathons also exist, ranging from a couple hours to the whole day.

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Different Parts

1. Introduction and Kickoff

Welcome Session: Organizers introduce the theme or problem statement, event rules, and schedule.

Icebreakers: Sometimes, there are activities to help participants network and form teams.

Sponsor Demos/Workshops: Sponsors or experts may present tools or APIs that participants can use during the hackathon.

2. Team Formation: Participants form teams based on shared interests or complementary skills. Some hackathons allow pre-formed teams, while others encourage networking to form new groups.

3. Ideation and Planning: Teams brainstorm and choose a project idea that aligns with the hackathons theme or problem statement.

4. Development and Prototyping

Coding: Teams write the code and develop the project.

Design: Focus on user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).

Testing: Check for bugs and ensure the project functions as intended.

Mentorship: Teams can seek advice from mentors or experts available during the event.

5. Submission

Teams submit their final project, which may include:

Source code.

A presentation or pitch deck..

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Hackathons - How do I participate?

Virtually: Virtual hackathons are highly accessible, allowing participants from around the globe to join without the need for travel or accommodations. These events rely on digital collaboration tools like Zoom, Slack, and GitHub, making it easy to work together remotely. They offer flexibility, enabling participants to work from the comfort of their own spaces, and often attract diverse teams. However, virtual events can sometimes lack the dynamic energy and spontaneity of in-person interactions, which may impact team bonding and brainstorming.

In-Person: In-person hackathons provide an immersive and engaging environment where participants can collaborate face-to-face, fostering stronger team connections. They often include hands-on resources like hardware, testing devices, and direct mentor support, which can enhance project development. While in-person events require travel and logistical planning, the personal interactions and networking opportunities can make the experience overall better.

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Major Hacking League

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Hackathons VS Competitions

Hackathons:

You can learn skill as you go, so everyone can know anything for their project
Larger time constraints
Bigger projects which typically require more skill
AI is often becoming more allowed
You can show off your projects in college applications
Significantly bigger prizes; multiple thousands of dollars

Competitions:

Typically always in-person
Requires more skill and problem-solving abilities
Teamwork is absolutely essential; a single lost teammate is the end
What skill you bring is what skill you get
AI isn’t allowed; your teams brains only
Less prizes, easier to typically win
Easiest to prepare in advance for

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