About the challenge

SparkHacks is UIC’s annual 24-hour hackathon, organized by students for students, designed to spark innovation and collaboration. This year, we’re rolling out the red carpet with our Lights, Camera, Hacktion theme—where bold ideas take center stage and creativity steals the spotlight. Don’t worry though—your projects don’t need to be film-focused. Any idea is ready for its close-up.

Check out our website for more details! 

https://www.sparkhacks.org/

Requirements

What to Submit

  • Project Name & Team Members
    • Include your project name and add ALL team members emails to your submission on Devpost.
  • Project Description
    • Finish all project related questions before submitting.
  • Project Repository
    • Code Tracks
      • Provide a public GitHub repository link.
      • Include a clear README with:
      • Instructions for running your project.
      • Overview of your code structure.
      • Video demo of your project (must be less than 2 mins).
  • No-Code Track
    • Submit an interactive public Figma prototype of your design.
  • If your Figma link or GitHub repo is not public, judges will not grade it!

Look at this notion page for more details: https://outgoing-bubble-324.notion.site/HackPack-2026-2bdb7981cdc38079bb9bea184a6b2f69

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

12 non-cash prizes
Creative Empowerment / Digital Storytelling - 1st Place
1 winner

Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet (8” Display 32 GB)

Creative Empowerment / Digital Storytelling - 2nd Place
1 winner

4K Digital Camera (64MP, Dual Lens, Anti-Shake)

Creative Empowerment / Digital Storytelling - 3rd Place
1 winner

Logitech Wave Keys Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard

Narrative Storytelling in an Interactive Application - 1st Place
1 winner

Toshiba 40” V35 Series FHD Smart Fire TV (2025)

Narrative Storytelling in an Interactive Application - 2nd Place
1 winner

Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones

Narrative Storytelling in an Interactive Application - 3rd Place
1 winner

Fitbit - Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker - Midnight Zen - (2022)

Shop Savvy with Grainger (Sponsored by Grainger) - 1st Place
1 winner

Insignia™ 32” F20 Series HD Smart Fire TV

Shop Savvy with Grainger (Sponsored by Grainger) - 2nd Place
1 winner

Amazon Echo Dot Max (Newest Model)

Shop Savvy with Grainger (Sponsored by Grainger) - 3rd Place
1 winner

LEMBERI Ergonomic Gaming Chair with Footrest

Cinema-Inspired Futuristic Technology - 1st Place
1 winner

Unique and fun LEGO Sets!!!

Grainger Challenge: Best User Experience Design
1 winner

JBL Tune 245NC Noise-Canceling Earbuds

Aedify Challenge: Best Deployed on Aedify
1 winner

Apple AirTag (4 Pack)

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Mark Hallenbeck

Mark Hallenbeck
UIC Professor

Paige Kinsley

Paige Kinsley
Argonne National Laboratory

Krish Bavana

Krish Bavana
Grainger

George Maratos

George Maratos
UIC Professor

Daniel Ayala

Daniel Ayala
UIC Professor

Sidharth Kumar

Sidharth Kumar
UIC Professor

Mike Papka
UIC Professor

Charlie Day

Charlie Day
84.51

Cody Cranch
UIC Professor

Chris Kanich

Chris Kanich
UIC Professor

Edwin Marples
Grainger

Xiaoguang Wang

Xiaoguang Wang
UIC Professor

Connor Bohannon

Connor Bohannon
Argonne National Laboratory

Gonzalo Bello
UIC Professor

Ram Sharan Chaulagain

Ram Sharan Chaulagain
Argonne National Laboratory

Zhaochen Gu

Zhaochen Gu
UIC Professor

Boris Glavic

Boris Glavic
UIC Professor

Jordan Carson
UIC Professor

Ahmedur Rahman Shovon

Ahmedur Rahman Shovon
Argonne National Laboratory

Zhuo Chen
Aedify AI

Adam Koehler

Adam Koehler
UIC Professor

Admin
UIC

Judging Criteria

  • No-Code/Code Tracks: Innovation & Impact
    Evaluates originality, creativity, and real-world relevance
  • No-Code/Code Tracks: Design & Usability
    Assesses user experience, aesthetic execution, and functionality
  • Code Tracks: Technical Implementation
    Evaluates code quality, reliability, and complexity
  • No-Code/Code Tracks: Presentation & Collaboration
    Assesses the team’s ability to clearly and effectively communicate their project and collaborate
  • No-Code Track: Idea & Originality
    Assesses the creativity, innovation, and relevance of the idea to the track.
  • No-Code Track: Feasibility & Execution
    Assesses the clarity of the solution, its strategic thought process, and the practicality of its implementation.
  • Code Track: Aedify Challenge
    Effective use of Aedify deployment tool
  • Code Track: Grainger Challenge
    Assesses user interface for being "clean" and easily navigable for all age groups

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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Hackathon sponsors

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