>> SIGN UP VIA THIS DEVPOST AS WELL AS THIS GOOGLE FORM <<
STEM Connect Hackathon is a hybrid hackathon that is open to undergraduate students only. Collaborate on creating innovative solutions for real-world challenges. The 2025 STEM Connect Hackathon is directly connected to SASE's STEM Connect national convention happening in the first week of October 2025 in Pittsburgh. The hackathon itself is entirely remote, while a small subsection of hacker groups will have the opportunity of presenting live at the 2025 STEM Connect convention in Pittsburgh.
This hackathon accepts teams of 1 to 4 members, but it is strongly encouraged to work on a team of 2+. All previous winners of SASEhack have been teams of 2 or more. If you'd like help finding a team, please denote that in the hackathon registration form.
First time entering a hackathon? Not a computer science-related major? No worries, we strongly encourage new and rookie hackers from any and all majors! Check out our previous winning teams with non-CS members here. Also, feel free to submit a hardware-based solution to our new Best Hardware Hack prize category!
>> Click to see prize eligibilities & 2025's Hackathon Theme: To You, 5 Years From Now <<
***SCHEDULE FOR HACKATHON. ALL TIMES ARE IN EST***
STEM Connect Hackathon Fall 2025 Schedule
Friday, September 19th:
|
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM |
[Zoom] Opening Ceremony: Welcome/STEM Connect Hackathon Launch/Registration/Check-in |
|
3:00 PM |
Hacking Starts |
|
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
[Zoom] Workshop: How to Make the Most of STEM Connect Hackathon |
|
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
[Zoom] Workshop: Intro to Web Dev w/ React
|
|
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Break: Dinner |
|
7:00 PM - 7:45 PM |
[Discord] Social: Yap + Games! |
|
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
[Zoom] Office Hours |
|
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM (onto Sep. 20th) |
[Discord] Hacker Lounge |
Saturday, September 20th:
|
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
[Zoom] Workshop: APIs for AAPIs |
|
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Break: Dinner |
|
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
[Discord] Social: Yap + Games |
|
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
[Zoom] Office Hours |
|
10:00 PM - 12:00 AM (onto Sep. 21st) |
[Discord] Hacker Lounge |
Sunday, September 21st:
|
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
[Zoom] Workshop: How to Prep Your Pitch |
|
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM |
[Zoom] Office Hours |
|
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM |
|
|
11:59 PM |
Project Submission Deadline |
Asynchronous Judging will occur between September 22nd - October 1st. Winners are announced on October 3rd.
Thursday, October 2nd:
|
3:00PM |
Convention Registration Opens |
|
4:30 PM - 5:45 PM |
Final Presentations |
Our Take on AI Solutions
We’ve all seen the flood of AI projects — MentalAI, FinanceAI, WhateverAI. Sure, the names sound cool, but too often they’re just surface-level. If your team uses generative AI, think about creative ways to incorporate it into your application rather than your entire backend simply being a ChatGPT-wrapped prompt. Let AI support your vision, not define it. Adding to this, we have a non-AI prize category for those who do not have any AI-powered features in their final submission.
Requirements
Although a starter kit is not provided in this year’s hackathon due to the virtual nature, hardware-based projects are encouraged and happily accepted for the STEM Connect Hackathon Fall 2025.
JUDGING
Virtual Submissions:
-
Teams will submit their project solutions through Devpost.
-
View the SASEhack Fall 2024 project gallery for submission examples.
-
Pre-recorded videos are REQUIRED and must be between 3 to 5 minutes.
HOW TO ENTER / CREATE SUBMISSION
-
Enter the name of your hack.
-
Add ALL your team members to your Devpost submission
-
Tell us about your hack! Be sure to include any relevant images, demos, and your presentation video in your description.
-
Include a link to your hack
- Include a link to your team's repository(s) - This should include all code/blueprints/schematics
- If you opted-in for the Best Pitch prize category: List off who in your team will be in Pittsburgh by 4:30PM EST October 2nd, Thursday.
-
Submit before the deadline!
Video
Pitch your project within 3-5 minutes! Devpost accepts links to YouTube, Vimeo, or Youku. Videos may be recorded through external platforms such as Zoom, MS Teams, or additional recording platforms that your team sees fit. Please take into consideration recording/edit time when allocating time to your project and submission.
GitHub Link
We are looking for a GitHub link to a public repository. If you are having any problems with this, you can just upload the file for submission, however, please let someone from our team know.
Presentation Slides
Please give us a link to your slides; Google Slides preferred
Prizes
Grand Prize
Best First-Hackathon Hack
Best Non-AI Hack
Best Pitch
Best Front-End Design
Best Hardware Hack
Track 1: Hillary the Hustler
Track 2: Relocation Rachel
Track 3: Family-Oriented Fred
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Judging Criteria
-
Creativity and Innovation
Originality of the idea, Use of new or emerging technologies -
Technical Design
Demonstration of thoughtful project design, Design and readability of the code, Integration of different technologies or platforms -
Relevance to Theme
Depth of exploration related to the theme, Contribution to the theme's objectives or goals -
>> Presentation <<
[Heavily weighted category] Efficacy in Delivering a Convincing Presentation, Structure and flow of the presentation, Effectiveness of visual aids (slides, demos, etc.) -
Impact & Scalability
Potential to make a positive change in the target domain, Feasibility of scaling the solution to a wider audience, Sustainability and long-term viability -
Design & User Experience
Aesthetics and visual appeal, Intuitiveness and ease of user understanding, User feedback mechanisms and responsiveness
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
Tell your friends
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.