Top Hat Hackers Hackathon

Top Hat Hackers Hackathon Recap

Thank you to all college students and recent graduates from the Illinois area who participated in our annual Top Hat Hackers hackathon on February 12th, 2025! The event brought together innovative minds to collaborate on real-life technical challenges, with participants bringing their ideas to life in an energizing environment. Our inclusive community welcomed coders of all skill levels, fostering breakthrough solutions and meaningful connections. We hope all participants found the experience rewarding and look forward to seeing how the projects developed during the hackathon continue to evolve.

Winners of the Hackathon

Team Sharks
Ballers
Enhance-able

Problem Statement:

“How can technology help create an inclusive workforce environment for neurodivergent individuals by addressing challenges in communication, collaboration, accessibility, or physical limitation?”

Example areas of focus:

Develop tech-driven solutions to improve workforce inclusion.
Raise awareness about neurodivergent needs in professional settings.
Empower students to innovate with accessibility and inclusion in mind.

Hackathon Objectives:

Develop tech-driven solutions to improve workforce inclusion.
Raise awareness about neurodivergent needs in professional settings.
Empower students to innovate with accessibility and inclusion in mind.

Event Location:

The University of Springfield is a premier public research institution known for its strong STEM programs and commitment to innovation, serving over 25,000 students in the heart of Springfield.

Krasan Consulting is a certified Woman-owned, minority and Small Business Enterprise committed to guiding our clients and solving their mission-critical challenges. We have served hundreds of state, local and federal government agencies, universities, school districts and regulated industries in our nearly 20-year history.

Our Partners:

We’re already looking forward to our next Top Hat Hackers hackathon and would love to have even more students join us! Whether you participated this year or are considering joining for the first time, mark your calendars for our upcoming event. Stay connected through our social channels and website for announcements about dates, registration, and exciting new challenges. Your creativity and technical skills could be the highlight of our next innovative gathering!

Eligibility and Team Formation

1. Participants must be currently enrolled students at an accredited college or university.

2. Teams should consist of 2-5 members.

3. Team members do not have to be from the same institution.

4. Registration and shortlisting of participants will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis

Project Requirements

1. All projects must address the provided challenge topic.

2. Participants must create new code for the hackathon. Pre-existing projects are not allowed.

3. Use of open-source libraries and APIs is permitted, but must be clearly documented.

Time Frame

1. The hackathon will last one day, February 12, 2024

2. All coding and project work must be completed within this time frame.

Intellectual Property

By participating, you grant the organizers the right to showcase your project for promotional purposes.

Code of Conduct

1. Participants must treat all team members, volunteers, judges, and organizers with respect.

2. Any form of harassment, discrimination, or unethical behavior will result in immediate disqualification.

Resources and Support

1. Participants may use online resources and documentation during the event.

2. Mentors will be available for guidance, but they cannot write code for the teams.

Submissions

1. All project submissions must be made through the designated platform by the deadline.

2. Submissions should include source code, documentation, and a brief project description.

Judging and Evaluation

1. Projects will be judged based on innovation, technical complexity, potential impact, and presentation.

2. The judging panel’s decisions are final.

Prizes and Awards

1. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams as determined by the judges.

2. Additional category-specific awards may be given at the discretion of the organizers.

Health and Safety

1. Participants are responsible for their own well-being during the event.

2. Regular breaks are encouraged, and a quiet rest area will be provided.

Technology and Equipment

1. Participants must bring their own laptops and any other necessary devices.

2. The organizers will provide power, Wi-Fi, and basic office supplies.

Photography and Media

1. By participating, you consent to be photographed and recorded during the event for promotional purposes.

Disqualification

1. Violation of any of these rules may result in disqualification at the organizers’ discretion.

2. The organizers reserve the right to modify these rules at any time. Any changes will be communicated to all participants.

Systems Integration

Digital Transformation