Frequently Asked Questions

A geoscience hackathon is a collaborative event where participants work in teams on creative projects involving software coding applied to solving geoscience problems.

The hackathon is open to graduate and undergraduate students of all levels interested in developing and applying their software coding skills to solve geoscience problems. This event is intended for Jackson School students, but if space permits, students from other departments interested in geoscience applications are welcome to participate.

Prior experience is helpful but not necessary. This hackathon encourages learning and team collaboration so anyone with or without experience can contribute to the project. Mentors will be available to help with coding and understanding geoscience concepts.

Bring an open mind and a laptop, including a charger cable.

The hackathon lasts three days, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with flexibility to stay longer if needed. On Friday, the teams are formed and start planning their activities. On Saturday, the teams work on the projects with regular check-ins. On Sunday morning, the teams complete the projects and prepare presentations. The teams present their results on Sunday afternoon, and the judges select the winners.

The hackathon starts with mentors presenting ideas for projects. Students can then select the project and the mentor to form teams. The organizers will help balance the composition of teams.

There are no restrictions on the languages and tools you can use. It is generally recommended to use open-source tools to improve the accessibility and adoption of your work.

The Scholars Lab at the Perry-Castañeda Library provides a shared computer room with 32 Mac computers and breakout rooms with screens and whiteboards for individual teams.

The projects are judged based on

• Clarity of the presentation
• Innovation and creativity
• Persistency in planning and execution
• Demonstrated teamwork
• Following best practices for open-source code

Yes! Monetary prizes are awarded to the top two teams, as selected by the judges, and to the team chosen by the audience.

Absolutely! The hackathon provides excellent opportunities to expand your professional network by interacting with fellow students, mentors, and judges.