What to Build

  • Any software or hardware project built at PennApps no earlier than 9 PM on Friday, September 20th and no later than 9 AM on Sunday, September 22nd. 
    • Note that if your project utilizes code created outside of this window (with the exception of open source code / libraries that are available publicly online) will be disqualified and not considered for prizes. 
    • You may not submit another group or individual's work and may not misrepresent code as your own. You must disclose the tools you use on your ReadMe.  
    • Note that our team reserves the right to disqualify projects for any form of cheating. 
  • Must work in teams of 2-4
  • Only registered hackers at PennApps (high school or college students 14 years of age or older) can contribute to the project
  • Can only build one project during the weekend 
  • Can submit to at most one project track, but multiple prizes  
  • Only registered hackers at PennApps (high school or college students 14 years of age or older) can contribute to the project
  • Teams should be made up exclusively of students who are not organizers, volunteers, judges, sponsors, or in any other privileged position at the event.
  • All team members should be present at the event. Leaving the venue for some time to hack elsewhere is fine.
  • Teams can use libraries, frameworks, or open-source code in their projects. Working on a project before the event and open-sourcing it for the sole purpose of using the code during the event is against the spirit of the rules and is not allowed.
  • Projects that violate the Code of Conduct are not allowed.
  • Teams can be disqualified from the competition at the organizers' discretion. Reasons might include but are not limited to breaking the Competition Rules, breaking the Code of Conduct, or other unsporting behavior.

Prizes 

  • All prizes will be shipped to winners after the event. 
  • Prizes are subject to change given availability or logistical difficulties. 

Judging Criteria and Winner Selection

  • Judging will be expo style, commencing at 10 AM on Sunday 
  • Judging will be done using the PennApps rubric by a set of industry and academic judges  
  • Sponsor prize tracks have their own sponsor-determined criteria for judging; sponsor representatives will complete judging