WHAT is Bloom Institute?

Bloom Institute has a mission to foster student development with different approaches. We provide a range of initiatives for elementary and middle school students, from free courses in traditionally underfunded subjects, engaging student-led project mentorship, and short-term events, like this very hackathon event. See our services in action at bloominst.org!

About the challenge

This year's prompt: Identify a societal issue you are passionate about and design a technology-based service to address it.

Students are encouraged to build a range of products, as long as their creation addresses a real-world problem that they demonstrate compassion for. For example, students can build an AI-powered chatbot that converses with lonely senior citizens, an interactive educational website on a social issue, or a short film production that conveys a message to the world. 

We prefer live products to be submitted, but product plans and prototypes are also accepted.

 

How Can I join?

  1. Fill out bit.ly/bloomathon25 to officially register. The links for Google Classroom, Devpost, and Discord are all at the bottom of this form.

  2. Middle Schoolers: join the Google Classroom via the code on the form above.
    High Schoolers: Register via Devpost and join the Bloom Institute Discord server.

Requirements

SubMission Components:

A basic 1-2 page report on a social issue of choice, double-spaced. Can include images.
A 2-3 minute expository video sharing the student’s chosen social issue, showcasing the product’s functionality, and explaining the student’s vision for the product in addressing the issue. The video requires the contestant's voice, an organized display of the product (live demonstration or prepared presentation with relevant information and images), and preferably, the student should be in-frame as they give their presentation.
Student’s live service and/or product plan, if shareable

  Where should I submit what? About the project You can use this space to directly share your research if you have no graphics or photos you would like to share. You can also use this space to share any information about your project, like your inspiration or biggest takeaway. If your research includes special formatting or graphics that cannot be included in this space, feel free to utilize the “Try it out’ links section to add a link to your research. Built with List the platforms you utilized for this project. "Try it out" links Add link to your research (shared google doc or similar) if you did not choose the "About this project" section Add a link to your actual service or your service plan/proposal Image gallery Not required Video demo link Submit an unlisted or public 2-3 minute YouTube video. This is your expository video, “sharing the student’s chosen social issue, showcasing the product’s functionality, and explaining the student’s vision for the product in addressing the issue”. Refer to “Submission Components” on the Devpost page.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$2,234 in prizes
First Place
$160 in cash
1 winner

$50 scholarship from Bloom Institute
Gold Certificate from Bloom Institute
Chance to be featured on the Bloom Institute website
$25 AOPS coupon, 1 per team
Free 1-year .xyz domains for all competitors in the team
1-year Taskade Pro plan upgrade for all competitors in the team
Chance to be featured on Taskade socials

Second Place
$140 in cash
1 winner

$25 scholarship from Bloom Institute
Silver Certificate from Bloom Institute
Chance to be featured on the Bloom Institute website
$25 AOPS coupon, 1 per team
Free 1-year .xyz domains for all competitors in the team
1-year Taskade Pro plan upgrade
Chance to be featured on Taskade socials

Third Place
$125 in cash
1 winner

$10 scholarship from Bloom Institute
Silver Certificate from Bloom Institute
Chance to be featured on the Bloom Institute website
$25 AOPS coupon, 1 per team
Free 1-year .xyz domains for all competitors in the team
1-year Taskade Pro plan upgrade
Chance to be featured on Taskade socials

Public's Choice Award
$89 in cash
1 winner

$10 scholarship from Bloom Institute
Chance to be featured on the Bloom Institute website
$25 AOPS coupon, 1 per team
Free 1-year .xyz domains for all competitors in the team
Chance to be featured on Taskade socials

All Participants
$20 in cash
86 winners

20% off code for Taskade products

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Bloom Institute Leaders

Bloom Institute Leaders
Bloom Institute

Jane

Pranav

Serena

Claire

Claire

Leah

Meredith

Meredith

Raghav

Nimai

Vedant

Vedant

Alessia

Alessia

Judging Criteria

  • 15% - Design
    How well is design utilized? Does the product look appealing? Is it well on its way to being marketed for a large audience?
  • 25% - Function
    Does your product work if developed, and if not developed, does the product seem like it could realistically work?
  • 25% - Presentation
    How professional is your video (smooth audio, clear video, transitions? Is your voice clear, do you use hand motions, and are you maintaining eye contact (not reading off a script)? Are your slides professional (color palette, images, text)?
  • 35% - Knowledge and Impact
    Did you demonstrate an understanding of the social problem you hoped to address? Do you describe how the product will help address the social problem?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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