Hamp Hack is the first ever interdisciplinary hackathon in the Pioneer Valley.  While most hackathons involve techie people making more tech. At Hamp Hack, we are doing it different.   People from different fields involved in technology, design/fabrication and art collaborate intensively on developing working prototypes that attempt to solve problems resonating in the world around us. With this event, the aim is to provide students with a platform that gives their unique idea an escape velocity into reality. And build a better environment for interdisciplinary ideas and interdisciplinary thinking.

More information: http://hamphack.hampshire.edu

Hackathon Sponsors


$3,676 in prizes

Amazon Echo (Environmental Sustainability Prize) (4)

The prize for this category will be awarded to the best implemented project that can promote environmental sustainability at a personal or institutional level. The medium in which the project is implemented is completely open ended. It could include apps that can help an institution or an individual keep track of unsustainable resource use, make better informed choices or spread awareness in an interesting way. It could also include physical products that maximize resource use/cut down on energy being used: like maybe a product that reduces water/electricity usage, or a product that people would use in their day to day lives running completely on renewable energy.

4 Tiles (Brain and Development Prize) (4)

The prize for this category will be awarded to the project that best integrates the existing knowledge about the brain (either electrophysiological or anatomical) and technology to create an interesting product. Groups that want to create a project in this category are highly encouraged to use specialized hardware available like NeuroSky EEG systems, neuron spikers etc. However using this technology is not necessary - for example, a project that makes use of neuroscience literature on how to improve certain cognitive capabilities to create an app (or a physical product) that can actually improve these capabilities will also be a valid contender for this category.

Integrate your knowledge about brain and technology to create something interesting. We have EEG devices, muscle electrodes, neuron spikers and much more! No previous experience with technology required. Workshops will be offered.
This looks for projects that integrate knowledge about brain and technology.

BioLite PowerLight (Life Hacks Prize) (4)

The prize for this category will be awarded to the simplest and the most elegant product that makes the small things in everyday routine easier and/or more efficient in an innovative way. Some of the examples can include innovative coin holders, soap dispensers, cooking utensils, wire organizers, paper/file organizers, apps that wake you up after certain sleep cycles etc.

Leap Motion (Artificial Intelligence) (4)

The prize for this category will be awarded to the best implementation of an artificially intelligent system. This can include artificial intelligence in the domains including (but not limited to) natural language processing, genetic programming, artificial neural networks, robotics etc.

3D Doodler (Most Interdisciplinary Project) (4)

Given to a product that integrates the intersection of different versatile disciplines.

$1000 in Indico API Credits

Most creative use of Indico's Artificial Intelligence API

1TB Hard Drives (4)

Best use of Amazon Web Services

Swag bag and Sparkfun RedBoards (4)

Free domain names will be provided to all participants. The most creative domain name, gets the prize!

Octocat Statue (4)

Given to the best tool made for developers and can help others build something out of it.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:


Any student is welcome!


You don't need to know anything in advance. We also have workshops setup for beginners and curious explorers to get started!


Jonathan Pedigo

Jonathan Pedigo
Full Stack

Tracy Ann Essoglou

Tracy Ann Essoglou
Situation Design, Inc.

Leslie Dwight

Leslie Dwight
Galactic Smarties

Judging Criteria

  • Design
    Is the Design simple and effective? When relevant, is it aesthetically pleasing?
  • Usability
    How user friendly it is? How well did you research their users?
  • Originality
    Has the team solved a new problem or used new techniques to solve an old problem?
  • Feasibility
    Does it successfully and effectively do what it is supposed to be doing? Is it scalable? Is it the next Big Thing for the relevant theme?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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Hackathon sponsors

