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What is this?
A gathering of teen makers building cool hardware projects. Attendees will be put into teams of two or three. Each team will get a set of electronics supplies including a programmable microcontroller and components.
Who is it open to?
The event is open to all makers aged 13-18 at all skill levels
No experience required!
When is it?
Saturday, April 18,
10:45 am to 1:00 pm
Where is it?
At the Berkeley Public Library West Branch, Community Meeting Room
1125 University Ave. (at San Pablo), Berkeley, CA 94702
Is there a code of conduct?
Yes. Everyone is expected to be respectful, inclusive, and supportive. This event follows the Hack Club Code of Conduct and Hack Club Safeguarding Policy to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.
What happens if there’s a problem or someone feels uncomfortable?
Please let an organizer know immediately. We take safety and well-being seriously and will address any concerns promptly. Please use the attendee dashboard to submit any concerns to the organizers.
Schedule
Doors open at 10:40 am.
Everyone must be out of the room by 1:00 pm.
|
Time |
Event |
|
10:45 - 11:00 |
Welcome and distribution of materials |
|
11:00 - 12:30 |
Project brainstorming and building time |
|
12:30 - 12:50 |
Optionally present your project |
|
12:50 - 1:00 |
Clean up |
Teams Structure
Each team is made up of 2-3 people. You may come with a friend or find teammates at the event. Teams are welcome to work together and share supplies.
Provided Materials
Each team will receive the following:
- 1 x Raspberry Pi Pico W with headers pre-soldered
- 1 x 400-Pin Breadboard
- 1 x Mini Speaker
- 1 x Mini OLED screen
There will also be jumper wires and a soldering iron for use.
FAQs
What should I bring?
At least one person from each team should bring:
- Laptop
- Laptop charger
Recommended for each attendee to bring:
- USB-A to Micro-USB cable if you have it
- Any additional electronics components that you want to use for your project
- Snacks in case you get hungry
Do I need to install anything on my laptop beforehand?
It’s recommended to have a modern web browser and the ability to connect to USB devices. In addition, depending on which programming language you’d like to use, you should download the following applications.
MicroPython (Recommended for beginners)
- Download Thonny IDE
- Install Micropython on Raspberry Pi Pico (Scroll down)
C++
If you’d like to use Microsoft Visual Studio Code:
If you’d like to use the Arduino IDE:
Will there be adult supervision?
There will be an adult present in the room and parents are welcome to sit in the main part of the library located just outside the room.
Do I need prior experience with electronics or programming?
No prior experience is required! This event is beginner-friendly, and you’ll learn as you go. There will be guidance available, and teaming up helps a lot.
Can I come alone?
Yes! You don’t need to come with a team. We’ll help match you with teammates at the event.
What kinds of projects can I build?
You can build anything you’d like using the provided materials—examples include simple games, sound devices, sensors, or creative interactive projects.
Will there be help available if we get stuck?
Yes. Organizers and experienced participants will be around to help guide you if you run into issues.
Can I take the materials home after the event?
Teams are welcome to keep the materials provided to them and split them up as they wish after the event. Just keep in mind that everyone on the team should be satisfied with the arrangement.
What if I arrive late?
You can still join, but arriving on time is strongly recommended so you don’t miss team formation and the introduction.
Are parents allowed to stay?
Yes. Parents are welcome to remain in the library area outside the room during the event.
Will there be food provided?
Food is not guaranteed, so it’s a good idea to bring your own snacks.
Do I have to present my project?
No—presenting is optional. You’re welcome to share what you built, but there’s no requirement.
Requirements
What to Build
Something that uses the materials provided in a creative way. Examples include games and useful applications. See the bottom of the home page on Devpost for judging criteria.
What to Submit
A GitHub repository containing all the code that you created and a link to a video showing how it works. Make sure anyone accessing the video has permission to view it.
Prizes
Most Creative Project
Awarded to the team that came up with the most original and unexpected idea. This project stood out for its creativity and showed a unique way of using the materials.
Best Technical Build
Given to the team with the most well-built and technically impressive project. From clean wiring to clever code, this build worked smoothly and demonstrated strong problem-solving.
“Why Does This Exist?” Award
Given to the most unusual or oddly fascinating project. It might not solve a real problem—but it made us curious and impressed us in its own unique way.
Most Ambitious
Awarded to the team that aimed high and took on a challenging idea. Even if it wasn’t fully finished, the effort and bold thinking stood out.
Crowd Favorite
Voted on by all participants, this award goes to the project that the community loved the most. A true fan favorite!
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Theo Moser
Judging Criteria
-
Creativity
How original is your idea? Did you try something unique or unexpected? -
Functionality
Does your project work? It doesn’t have to be perfect, but we’re looking for something that shows effort and progress. -
Engagement
Is your project fun, interactive, or interesting for others to try out? -
Design
How is the user interface? This includes both how it looks (digitally and physically) and how easy it is interact with.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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