About the challenge

Welcome to the ACM Chico Chapter Fall 2025 Hackathon.

This semester, our theme is Music, where creativity meets code. Whether you are remixing data, generating beats with AI, designing a rhythm-based game, or building tools for musicians, this is your chance to create something that sounds amazing and feels unique.

You will have two weeks to hack, jam, and innovate, either solo or with a team. Beginners and experienced coders alike are welcome.

 

Event Schedule:

  • Opening Ceremony: October 24 at OCNL 241

  • Hackathon Duration: October 24-November 7

  • Closing Ceremony and Demos: November 8 (time TBA)

 
Prizes:

  • Bragging Rights

  • Chocolate

  • Trading Card Pack

  • Special Award

 
Award Categories:

  • Most Creative

  • Most Technically Impressive

  • Best Presentation

  • Most Innovative

  • Most Out-of-the-Box

Tune your creativity, drop the beat, and code something cool in two weeks.

Requirements

To qualify, your project must:

  1. Follow the Music theme.

  2. Be created during the hackathon period (October 24 – November 8).

  3. Include a Devpost submission with:

    • A short project description (what it does, how it works).

    • Screenshots or a demo video (1-3 minutes).

    • A brief explanation of your tech stack or tools used.

    • Team member names and roles.

  4. Be submitted before the deadline on Devpost.

Team size: Up to 4 members.
Solo submissions are welcome.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

6 non-cash prizes
Most Creative
1 winner

Awarded to the project that shows outstanding originality and imagination. Winner receives a chocolate bar and a trading card pack.

Most Technically Impressive
1 winner

Recognizes exceptional technical skill, functionality, and innovative use of technology.

Best Presentation
1 winner

Given to the team that delivers the clearest, most engaging, and well-organized project demo.

Most Innovative
1 winner

Celebrates projects that introduce new concepts or unique approaches to music and technology.

Most Out-of-the-Box
1 winner

Honors bold, unexpected, or unconventional ideas that push creative boundaries.

Judge’s Choice
1 winner

A special recognition chosen by the judges for overall spirit, teamwork, or impact.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Kevin J. Buffardi

Kevin J. Buffardi
Professor, Department of Computer Science, California State University, Chico

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity
    How original, artistic, or inventive the project idea is especially in how it connects to the music theme.
  • Technical Implementation
    How well the project was built, including code quality, functionality, and use of technology.
  • Presentation
    How clearly the project’s purpose and features are communicated through the demo, slides, or write-up.
  • Innovation
    How unique or forward-thinking the solution is compared to typical projects.
  • Overall Impact
    How meaningful, fun, or inspiring the project is for users, musicians, or the broader community.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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