Rules
1.Eligibility
● AGE: Students must be in middle school or high school at Early College HS 6-12
● LOCATION: Event will be virtual on zoom.
● TEAMS: Students can compete as individuals, or in teams of up to four (4) students.
○ Any team with more than four (4) students is not eligible to compete.
● ONE ENTRY PER PERSON : Students may only submit ONE app or design idea. Multiple entries
across multiple teams is not allowed.
2. Online Resources
Trinket.io
Web based IDE for coding on the web
https://repl.it
Web based IDE for coding on the web in any language
https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/
Python IDE for professional developers
Scratch.mit.edu
Block based coding platform create by MIT
Https://appinventer.mit.edu
Block based coding platform created by MIT
Https://brython.info
A platform for making python web apps for your browser
HackMIT Hackathon Tools
A list of awesome open-source tools for hackathon coordinators and attendees.
Github Student Pack
If you're a student, you should already have this free resource pack from GitHub.
ngrok
A reverse tunnel. Run a server locally in any language and give it a public domain. Good for testing and demoing.
Fenix Web Server
A simple local webserver. Work on multiple sites simultaneously and serve any number of HTTP projects side by side with a simple GUI.
Caffeine (mac)
Make sure your display doesn't turn off or go to sleep during your presentation (we've seen this happen).
F.lux
Save your eyes from blue light eye strain. F.lux makes the color of your computer's display adapt to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day.
Vagrant
Create and configure lightweight, reproducible, and portable development environments. Don't mess up your dev box by installing all kinds of stuff that might conflict with your existing dev setup. Instead use dev environments using Vagrant or even Docker.
Atom
An open source and customizable programming IDE for just about anything.
Sublime Text
A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose.
Homebrew (mac)
Homebrew is the missing package manager for OSX, it installs the stuff you need that Apple didn't.
BrowserSync
Like livereload but better, time synced browser testing. Useful when sharing a design to teammates and on multiple devices. Usually used with gulp or grunt watch tasks.
Origami (mac)
Origami is a free tool for designing modern user interfaces and interactions. Created by Facebook.
Google Drive
We use Google Drive as a communication and organizational tool to keep the team on the same page. Don't bother emailing or dropboxing. We recommend to use 1 thing that does it all, from projection ideation(docs) to file uploading.
Pitcherific
Pitcherific helps with preparing and rehearsing your pitches, so you don't have to be all shaky on stage.
Alexa Skills Kit
Voice enable any app or service with Amazon Alexa
Studio 3T
A GUI that will make navigating MongoDB much quicker and easier.
Design & Inspiration:
Pattern Tap
Can't figure out how to lay out your navigation or show thumbnails? Pattern Tap has a collection of awesome examples for almost every control and web design pattern.
Pttrns
Same as Pattern Tap but for mobile design patterns. (iOS and Android)
UX Archive
One of the best Mobile UX websites. Can't figure out a certain User Flow for your mobile hack? UX Archive lists just about every flow or user task from the best apps out.
Stock Photos That Don't Suck
Finding great stock photos is a pain. You're left with either low-res amateur photos, people wearing cheesy headsets, or photos that are out of budget for the project you're working on. This is an ongoing list of the best stock photo sites.
100 Days of Fonts
A great place to find beautiful combinations and usages of Google Fonts and color schemes.
User Inter Faces
A database of profile pictures for mockups and demoes (many can be used on live websites as well)!
Graphic Burger
An array of design resources such as: Mock-ups, UI Kits, Icons, Backgrounds, etc.
Icons:
The Noun Project
Thousands of amazing icons useful for your hacks.
Icon Monstr
Great icon sets for just about anything.
Icon Moon
High-quality and varied icon fonts and icon packs.
Code:
Code Pen
An HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code editor in your browser with instant previews and tons of snippets and inspiration.
Cody House
A free library of very useful HTML, CSS, and JS nuggets with comprehensive tutorials.
Hover
A CSS3 Animation hover effects library. A quick and useful way to add a layer of polish to your interactions.
Start Bootstrap
Free Bootstrap starter templates for different types of sites. A good place to start and build upon.
Boot Snipp
Free Bootstrap code snippets for design elements. Similar to Pattern Tap but with provided code.
Education:
Udacity
Free top-notch online courses in many STEM subjects
3. App Parameters
● TOPIC: The app/software can be about any topic related to health and wellness.
● PLATFORM: TechSmart, Apple, IPAD, Mac, IOS,Windows, Scratch, Repl.it, Github,,MIT App Inventor, Android
● PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE: You can choose any language of your choice. not limited to Xcode, Python, SwiftUi, JS, “block code”, Java, C# etc
● FUNCTIONALITY: The app can be just a design prototype in “Keynote only” or fully functional
● CONTENT SUITABILITY: The app cannot be indecent, defamatory, in obvious bad taste,
demonstrate a lack of respect for public morals or conduct, adversely affect our reputation or depict hatred, defame, or threaten a specific community in the society or incite violence. Contain pornography, obscenity or sexual activity are prohibited. The app must not violate the Intellectual Property, common law or privacy rights of other parties.
● ORIGINALITY: The app must be original and solely owned by the Contestant such that no other
party has any rights or interest, whether known or unknown.
4. Demonstration VIDEO or PRESENTATION (max 3 min) Students must create a demonstration
video or presentation with the following information:
● The name(s) of each participant
● The name of the app
● Clearly explain the purpose of the app (Students should do this in one, clear sentence)
● Explain the app’s target audience (who the app is intended for?)
● The tools and coding languages used to create the app
Show how the app works. The video or presentation should be 1-3 minutes long.
Video submissions which do not adhere to the time constraints may be penalized by the judges at their discretion. This is not a video-creation competition. However, the judges view the demonstration video to learn about the app. The video should be as clear and compelling as possible.
Upload the completed video to YouTube, Vimeo, or any other video-hosting site. The video must be set to “public”.
QUESTIONS In addition to the demonstration video or presentation, the team will need to answer a
series of questions similar to the following:
1. What is the title of your app?
2. Explain the app’s purpose in one sentence.
3. Short Description: What inspired you to create this app?
4. Short Description: What is your app trying to accomplish?
5. What technical/coding difficulty did you faced in programming or developing your app, and how did you address this technical challenge or special feature of this solution?
5. Deadline We will accept submissions from April 10, 2022 – April 29, 2022
● AGE: Students must be in middle school or high school at Early College HS 6-12
● LOCATION: Event will be virtual on zoom.
● TEAMS: Students can compete as individuals, or in teams of up to four (4) students.
○ Any team with more than four (4) students is not eligible to compete.
● ONE ENTRY PER PERSON : Students may only submit ONE app or design idea. Multiple entries
across multiple teams is not allowed.
2. Online Resources
Trinket.io
Web based IDE for coding on the web
https://repl.it
Web based IDE for coding on the web in any language
https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/
Python IDE for professional developers
Scratch.mit.edu
Block based coding platform create by MIT
Https://appinventer.mit.edu
Block based coding platform created by MIT
Https://brython.info
A platform for making python web apps for your browser
HackMIT Hackathon Tools
A list of awesome open-source tools for hackathon coordinators and attendees.
Github Student Pack
If you're a student, you should already have this free resource pack from GitHub.
ngrok
A reverse tunnel. Run a server locally in any language and give it a public domain. Good for testing and demoing.
Fenix Web Server
A simple local webserver. Work on multiple sites simultaneously and serve any number of HTTP projects side by side with a simple GUI.
Caffeine (mac)
Make sure your display doesn't turn off or go to sleep during your presentation (we've seen this happen).
F.lux
Save your eyes from blue light eye strain. F.lux makes the color of your computer's display adapt to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day.
Vagrant
Create and configure lightweight, reproducible, and portable development environments. Don't mess up your dev box by installing all kinds of stuff that might conflict with your existing dev setup. Instead use dev environments using Vagrant or even Docker.
Atom
An open source and customizable programming IDE for just about anything.
Sublime Text
A sophisticated text editor for code, markup and prose.
Homebrew (mac)
Homebrew is the missing package manager for OSX, it installs the stuff you need that Apple didn't.
BrowserSync
Like livereload but better, time synced browser testing. Useful when sharing a design to teammates and on multiple devices. Usually used with gulp or grunt watch tasks.
Origami (mac)
Origami is a free tool for designing modern user interfaces and interactions. Created by Facebook.
Google Drive
We use Google Drive as a communication and organizational tool to keep the team on the same page. Don't bother emailing or dropboxing. We recommend to use 1 thing that does it all, from projection ideation(docs) to file uploading.
Pitcherific
Pitcherific helps with preparing and rehearsing your pitches, so you don't have to be all shaky on stage.
Alexa Skills Kit
Voice enable any app or service with Amazon Alexa
Studio 3T
A GUI that will make navigating MongoDB much quicker and easier.
Design & Inspiration:
Pattern Tap
Can't figure out how to lay out your navigation or show thumbnails? Pattern Tap has a collection of awesome examples for almost every control and web design pattern.
Pttrns
Same as Pattern Tap but for mobile design patterns. (iOS and Android)
UX Archive
One of the best Mobile UX websites. Can't figure out a certain User Flow for your mobile hack? UX Archive lists just about every flow or user task from the best apps out.
Stock Photos That Don't Suck
Finding great stock photos is a pain. You're left with either low-res amateur photos, people wearing cheesy headsets, or photos that are out of budget for the project you're working on. This is an ongoing list of the best stock photo sites.
100 Days of Fonts
A great place to find beautiful combinations and usages of Google Fonts and color schemes.
User Inter Faces
A database of profile pictures for mockups and demoes (many can be used on live websites as well)!
Graphic Burger
An array of design resources such as: Mock-ups, UI Kits, Icons, Backgrounds, etc.
Icons:
The Noun Project
Thousands of amazing icons useful for your hacks.
Icon Monstr
Great icon sets for just about anything.
Icon Moon
High-quality and varied icon fonts and icon packs.
Code:
Code Pen
An HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code editor in your browser with instant previews and tons of snippets and inspiration.
Cody House
A free library of very useful HTML, CSS, and JS nuggets with comprehensive tutorials.
Hover
A CSS3 Animation hover effects library. A quick and useful way to add a layer of polish to your interactions.
Start Bootstrap
Free Bootstrap starter templates for different types of sites. A good place to start and build upon.
Boot Snipp
Free Bootstrap code snippets for design elements. Similar to Pattern Tap but with provided code.
Education:
Udacity
Free top-notch online courses in many STEM subjects
3. App Parameters
● TOPIC: The app/software can be about any topic related to health and wellness.
● PLATFORM: TechSmart, Apple, IPAD, Mac, IOS,Windows, Scratch, Repl.it, Github,,MIT App Inventor, Android
● PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE: You can choose any language of your choice. not limited to Xcode, Python, SwiftUi, JS, “block code”, Java, C# etc
● FUNCTIONALITY: The app can be just a design prototype in “Keynote only” or fully functional
● CONTENT SUITABILITY: The app cannot be indecent, defamatory, in obvious bad taste,
demonstrate a lack of respect for public morals or conduct, adversely affect our reputation or depict hatred, defame, or threaten a specific community in the society or incite violence. Contain pornography, obscenity or sexual activity are prohibited. The app must not violate the Intellectual Property, common law or privacy rights of other parties.
● ORIGINALITY: The app must be original and solely owned by the Contestant such that no other
party has any rights or interest, whether known or unknown.
4. Demonstration VIDEO or PRESENTATION (max 3 min) Students must create a demonstration
video or presentation with the following information:
● The name(s) of each participant
● The name of the app
● Clearly explain the purpose of the app (Students should do this in one, clear sentence)
● Explain the app’s target audience (who the app is intended for?)
● The tools and coding languages used to create the app
Show how the app works. The video or presentation should be 1-3 minutes long.
Video submissions which do not adhere to the time constraints may be penalized by the judges at their discretion. This is not a video-creation competition. However, the judges view the demonstration video to learn about the app. The video should be as clear and compelling as possible.
Upload the completed video to YouTube, Vimeo, or any other video-hosting site. The video must be set to “public”.
QUESTIONS In addition to the demonstration video or presentation, the team will need to answer a
series of questions similar to the following:
1. What is the title of your app?
2. Explain the app’s purpose in one sentence.
3. Short Description: What inspired you to create this app?
4. Short Description: What is your app trying to accomplish?
5. What technical/coding difficulty did you faced in programming or developing your app, and how did you address this technical challenge or special feature of this solution?
5. Deadline We will accept submissions from April 10, 2022 – April 29, 2022
