Frequently Asked Questions
A hackathon is a competition where participants collaborate to build a technology project from scratch. Challenges are open-ended, giving hackers a wide variety of projects to create. Expand your imagination.
Sorry to disappoint you but we are NOT actually hacking into any government websites. In the context of Hack the Ram, “hacking” refers to working with technology in a new and innovative way to solve real-world problems.
Did I forget to mention that the entire event is completely, 100% FREE? Participants pay nothing and receive two free meals, snacks, t-shirts, and the potential for some awesome prizes. The event is fully funded by our amazing sponsors. Go check them out below!
Do I need to know how to code?
Not at all. Whether you have never written a line of code or consider yourself an expert, we will have seminars throughout both days to guide you through the entire process. There will also be code volunteers ready to walk alongside you if you get stuck or just need some inspiration.
What good is a hackathon without free food? Our amazing sponsors will provide dinner on Friday and lunch on Saturday, free of charge. There will also be snacks and drinks available whenever your brain needs to recharge.
Do I need to bring my own computer?
Students are encouraged to bring their own technology if they have it, but we will have several chromebooks on site.
How many people make up a team?
Teams can contain up to 4 members. If you don’t have a team, don’t worry. We will have a team building ceremony directly after the opening ceremony. Working with new people is the best way to expose yourself to new styles of programming. If you have more than 4 people that you really want to work with, that's okay but you will not be able to win any of the prizes.
Just for showing up, everyone at the event will get a one-of-a-kind Hack the Ram t-shirt, a bunch of new friends, and enough fun memories to last a lifetime. Now if you're thinking, "that's adorable...but really," we've got you covered too. After judging on Saturday, prizes will be given out to some of the best and most creative projects. We will be handing out some sweet tech items like portable chargers, Echo Dots, even smartwatches for each member of your team! Don't worry, there is also a category just for beginners.
There will be a general theme for projects given to participants on-site, but it will be very open and give teams a lot of room to go in any direction they want.
What if I get tired of working?
We kind of expected you to say that. On Saturday, we are planning a bunch of fun games and tournaments to give our participants a break.
What if I have more questions?
Feel free to shoot us an email at contact@hacktheram.com with any additional questions you might have!