About the Challenge

Dons DevFest is Purdue Fort Wayne’s premier university hackathon, bringing together students to collaborate, innovate, and build real-world solutions. Participants will form teams and compete in three key areas:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Machine Learning (ML)
  • Sustainability

This hackathon is open to all students, with a focus on Computer Science, Data Science, and Mathematics majors. Whether you're new to hackathons or an experienced developer, this event is an opportunity to learn, network, and create impactful projects.

Requirements

What to Submit:

  1. Project Overview:

    • Title: Clear and creative project name.
    • Tagline: Short description summarizing the project’s impact.
    • Track Selection: Indicate which track your project belongs to.

  2. Description:

    • Inspiration: What inspired your project?
    • How It Works: Describe the technical approach, key features, and how it addresses the challenge.
    • Challenges: Mention significant technical or conceptual challenges faced and how you overcame them.

  3. Demo Video (2-5 minutes):

    • A walkthrough of the project, explaining features and showcasing functionality.
    • Include live demos, screen recordings, or animations.

  4. Code Repository:

    • Link to a public GitHub repository containing the project source code. Ensure the code is well-documented.

  5. Supporting Materials:

    • Presentation slides or additional visuals (if applicable).
    • Any relevant data sources, models, or datasets used.

  6. Team Info:

    • If working as teams, list the team members and their roles in the project.

  7. Devpost Submission:

    • Submit your project on Devpost by the deadline. Ensure all required fields are completed, and the project is published as “Visible to Judges.”

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$1,460 in prizes
1st Place
$500 in cash
1 winner

$500 worth of Amazon Gift Cards for the team

2nd Place
$300 in cash
1 winner

$300 worth of Amazon Gift Cards for the team

3rd Place
$200 in cash
1 winner

$200 worth of Amazon Gift Cards for the team

4th Place
$200 in cash
1 winner

Honors Back Packs ($50 worth) for each team member

5th Place
$100 in cash
1 winner

Honors Mugs ($25 worth) for each team member

6th Place
$60 in cash
1 winner

Honors Power Bank ($15 worth) for each team member

Most Liked Project
$100 in cash
1 winner

$100 worth of Amazon Gift Cards for the team

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

PFW Computer Science Staff

PFW Computer Science Staff

PFW Data Science Staff

PFW Data Science Staff

PFW Computer Science Staff

PFW Computer Science Staff

PFW Data Science Staff

PFW Data Science Staff

Judging Criteria

  • Technical Implementation (30%)
    How well the project functions technically. Code quality, functionality, and proper use of tools, APIs, and frameworks. Efficiency, scalability, and correctness of the solution.
  • Creativity & Innovation (25%)
    Originality and uniqueness of the idea. Creative problem-solving and use of cutting-edge technologies.
  • Relevance to the Theme (25%)
    How well the project aligns with the hackathon tracks and mission goals. Impact potential on real-world space exploration challenges.
  • Presentation & Demo (20%)
    Clarity, organization, and professionalism of the project presentation. Quality of the demo video, including how effectively the solution is explained

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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