An "anti-hackathon"?
Beantown Bash is not your average hackathon. Here's a few things that make it special.
Make stuff, don't fake stuff
We don't care about buzzwords and flashy presentations.
Show us what you can create.
Speak for yourself
You're the judge.
You and your peers will vote for your favorite projects.
Free to create
Your project doesn't even have to be tech-related.
You can make anything, whether that's a website, an art project, or a new board game.
Why?
We've got a mission. We want to make hackathons truly fun and enjoyable. Hackathons are a way to show off your skills, whether that's coding, problem-solving, or project management. They're not just a way to build your resume.
Join us on April 1, 2023 in the Joyce Cummings Center at Tufts University, for a weekend of fun, hanging out with great people, and building something awesome.
Project Tracks
We've got a few project tracks to guide your ideas and help you make something awesome.
š³ Refry Rehash
Find ways to mix and match your favorite things, be it tech stacks, projects, or features!
Ex. Using ChatGPT to write a picture book, and then DALL-E to create illustrations.
ā”ļø New Connect
The landscape of social media is shifting; can you find a new way to meaningfully connect people together?
Ex. A platform that shares real, unfiltered, 10 sec clips. A new way to perform content moderation.
š Small Data, Big Ideas
Everyone is talking about big data, but can you find new ways to explore information on the community level?
Ex. Analyzing school student absences to get a read on flu spread in a city.
ā Other
Have an idea that doesn't fit into one of our categories? That's fine!
Sponsors
Beantown Bash is powered by the generous support of our sponsors. If you're interested in joining us, we'd love to talk.
Platinum Tier
Gold Tier
Silver Tier
Bronze Tier
Food Sponsors
Want to help us bring tech back to Boston?
Let's TalkFrequently Asked Questions
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is a 12-48 hour event where groups of people can get together and create! Don't worry, we're not doing any computer hacking.
What's special about Beantown Bash?
We think the current hackathon scene has deviated too much from its original goal. Projects now involve sticking together as many fancy-sounding words as possible, instead of making something real and great.
We made Beantown Bash to change that.
Who is judging our projects?
Weāre inviting the best judges around. People who know a great Taylor Swift song when they hear it, or an amazing app when they see it. Our judging squad is diverse, intelligent, and kick ass. You know who it is?
You! Yes, you. At Beantown Bash, our participants judge. Alongside other hackers, you will be rating projects from most exciting, to most mathy, to mostā¦ Bean.
Is there an age requirement?
Nope! Anyone in high school and middle school is welcome. However, since this is a high school hackathon, if youre in college or the industry, we'd love for you to join us as a mentor.
If you're interested, please fill out our registration form.
Who can attend?
All high schoolers and middle schoolers are welcome! If youāre in college or the industry, we'd love for you to sign up as one of our mentors/volunteers.
What if I canāt programā¦ yet?
Beantown Bash is open to any skill set and background. Canāt program? No problem! Are you a designer? Come sign up! Beantown Bash isnāt just about programming, itās about creating. As long as you want to make some cool stuff in a 12 hour period, come on over!
Also, we're offering free mentorship and coding seminars during the event, so you can learn something new or hone your coding chops.
When do applications close?
Applications close on Friday, March 24th, 2023. Please make sure to apply early so we can confirm your spot!
Does it cost money?
Nope! It's free! Completely free. All our finances are provided by our wonderful sponsors, so that you can focus on creating.
Can I be a mentor?
Yes, absolutely. If you're in college or university or beyond, we'd love to have you help out.
Also, mentors in high school can apply, provided they have enough experience.
Mentors will be responsible for helping participants and optionally running workshops.
Who's organizing this?
Weāre a tight-knit group of programmers, designers, and event hosters that have known each other since middle school.
Weāve run national hackathons amassing 780+ attendees, hosted panels with guests like Grant Sanderson (3Blue1Brown) and Bjarne Stroustrup (creator of C++), and organized the Eastern Massachusetts District Championship for FIRST Lego League.
Kevin
Davis
Vivian
Roshan
Leah
Where is it located?
We're planning to be at the brand new Joyce Cummings Center on the lovely Tufts University campus, right outside Boston.
Is it in-person?
Yes, Beantown Bash is an in-person hackathon.
Do I need a team?
We'd love for you to work as part of a team of up to 4. Obviously, though, you don't have to.
You can choose to sign up with a team you already have, or form a team at the event.
Is there a code of conduct?
Yes! It's important for all of our participants to be safe and supported. Beantown Bash is no place for hate or discrimination, and any incidents will be taken seriously.
Our written Code of Conduct can be found here.
Since you've gotten this far, we'd love to have you join us. Register as a participant or mentor, or support us as a sponsor.
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