Please join: https://discord.gg/YHGW8HF89C
Event OverviewLute Hacks 2026 is an intense, multi-day competition where teams of students work to create functional software and hardware projects centered around defined thematic tracks.
🏆 Prize: Apple AirPods + One Month of Claude Pro
📍 Location: Morken 203 for Kickoff and/or Discord Channel “LuteHacks-2026”
| Day | Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 20th | 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM | Opening Ceremony & Kickoff | In-person (Morken) / Discord |
| Saturday 21st | Morning | Opt-in Check-in | Teams check in & get support (Discord) |
| Sunday 22nd | 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM | Project Submission Deadline | Submit to Devpost (Discord) |
| Sunday 22nd | Afternoon | Project Demos & Judging | 1-minute demos per team (Discord) |
| Sunday 22nd | 4:00 PM (approx) | Voting & Awards Ceremony | Peer voting & winners announced (Discord) |
Participants are encouraged to focus their projects within one of the following three tracks:
- Community: Develop a software solution, potentially leveraging AI, to solve a common or pressing issue faced by students or staff within the PLU community.
- Health & Wellness: Create a product (software or hardware) that empowers individuals to contribute positively to their own health and mental well-being.
- Entertainment: Build a product or system that is enjoyable, engaging, or provides novel entertainment value to students.
Requirements
All submissions must be uploaded to Devpost before the deadline on Sunday, March 22nd (12:00 PM to 1:15 OM).
Step 1: Create Your Devpost PageOnly one person per team needs to "Start a Project," but you must invite your teammates via email so they get credit and prizes.
Step 2: Required ContentYour submission must include the following fields to be eligible for judging:
- Project Overview: A clear explanation of the Problem you are solving and your Solution.
- Track Selection: Explicitly state which track you are entering (Community, Health & Wellness, or Entertainment).
- Technical Breakdown: List the languages, frameworks, and AI tools you used.
- Project Demo (Video): A 1-minute video showing the project in action. (YouTube or Vimeo links work best).
If you have users, upload screenshots or analytics to the "Image Gallery" section of your Devpost page to qualify for bonus points.
Need help? Reach out in the #LuteHacks-2026 Discord channel!
Prizes
Apple AirPods
You get free Apple AirPods for each person in your group!
Claude Premium One Month
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Gabe (Viewer)
Hans Stegemoeller
Nikhil Chandra
Nate Yocom
Judging Criteria
-
1. Main Criterion: Theme Alignment (1-5 Score)
Judges score how well your project addresses your chosen track (Community, Health, or Entertainment). The solution must be relevant and impactful for the target problem or the PLU community. -
2. Technical Execution & Innovation (1-5 Score)
Projects must be functional and demonstrate creative problem-solving. Judges look for original ideas, effective use of technical frameworks, and the clever integration of Generative AI tools. -
3. Bonus: User Traction (1-5 Score)
Earn extra credit by showing real-world use. Provide proof of individuals outside your team using the product via signup counts, live analytics, or user testimonials to break ties and boost your score. -
4. Final Selection
Judges’ scores determine the top 3 finalists per track. These teams move to a final "People’s Choice" vote, where all participants choose the single overall winner of Lute Hacks 2026.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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