Eligibility

  • The hackathon is open to students only aged 12-19 years old.
  • For persons below the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must register on your behalf and provide consent for your participation in the hackathon via email (youngscholarsinc21@gmail.com )
  • Beginners and experienced coders are welcome.
  • Geographic Restriction: Participation is not limited to individuals residing in Kingston, Jamaica.
  • Company Requirement: Projects do not need to be submitted on behalf of a company or other professional organization.

Project and Submission Requirements

Teams will work on developing innovative solutions in response to their chosen energy challenge. The hacking time is pending

Project Output: The output can take various forms:

  • Digital Models
  • Coding Simulations
  • Physical Prototypes

Key Project Requirement:

  • A viable business model must be included as part of your solution.

Resource Tools Available:

  • Online Simulation Tools: Tinkercad (for Waste-to-Energy), Python, MATLAB, CAD software, Smart Draw (for Smart Energy Grid), and OpenSolar (for Solar Powered Solutions).
  • In-person Resources: For those attending physically, 3D printers, circuit kits, and solar panel prototypes will be available.

Teams will pitch their ideas and provide live demos of their prototypes.

Prizes

View Prize Section

Judging Criteria and Winner Selection

The judging criteria for the "Energize the Future: STEM Energy Hackathon" are divided into three main categories:

Core Judging Criteria:

  1. Novelty: Is there something unique or interesting about the solution?

  2. User Experience: How intuitive and accessible is the solution?

  3. Problem-Solution Fit: How well does it address the stated problem?

Impact-based Criteria:

  • Potential Impact: How significant could the solution's effect be?

  • Scalability: Can the solution grow to serve more users/markets?

  • Market Viability: Is there a clear path to adoption/commercialization?

  • Sustainability: Is the solution viable long-term?

Presentation Elements:

  • Pitch Quality: How well was the solution communicated?

  • Demo Effectiveness: How compelling was the demonstration?

  • Team Collaboration: How well did the team work together?

Teams will pitch their ideas and provide live demos. Following these presentations, scores will be finalized based on these criteria, and winners will be announced during the Prize Giving in November.