What is ZotHacks?
ZotHacks is a beginner-friendly hackathon where students with minimal computer science experience will learn to build their first CS project. Through ZotHacks, we introduce these students to the world of hackathons and web development by providing technical workshops, strong mentorship, and free food!
Interested in becoming a mentor?
Have a knack for innovation? Interested in inspiring the next generation of developers? Mentor applications for ZotHacks 2023 have closed, but please keep an eye out for future events!
Have a knack for innovation? Interested in inspiring the next generation of developers? Mentor applications for ZotHacks 2023 have closed, but please keep an eye out for future events!
Applications have closed.
Sponsors
FAQ
ZotHacks is a hackathon event where the only thing limiting what you build is your own creativity – we'll provide the rest. We give you the resources, training, mentorship, and food you need in order for you to build a full web application with a team.
We will be finalizing our schedule soon. Expect to be available all day Saturday for hacking and Sunday morning for judging. We will also try to host optional workshops the week before the hackathon!
For this year's iteration, please bring a positive attitude, a device to connect and collaborate with your team, and a willingness to try new technologies! Additional recommended items are: your device’s charger, a refillable water bottle, earphones, any desired peripherals, and some scratch paper for whiteboarding.
Teams will be up to 4 people. Don’t worry if you do not have teammates going into ZotHacks because we will be helping with team formations prior to the event. If you are accepted, you will also have the chance to request team members, but they are not guaranteed.
We don’t expect hackers to have any prior experience. We will be providing starter packs, workshops, and mentors to help new hackers get started on projects and learn new technologies.
If you do not know much or anything about web development but are interested in learning how to build web apps, you are the ideal candidate for ZotHacks. This year, we would like only first and second years of UCI to be attendees; for those who are transfers or third years and up, consider applying to be a mentor!
You will apply as an individual. We will be personally reviewing each application and accepting on an individual basis.
There will be prizes for all winners at ZotHacks 2023.
You will be building projects from scratch, although we will be offering starter packs to help you get started. You are encouraged to come with ideas of what you want to build. All pre-built projects will be disqualified.
Currently, ZotHacks will be using Slack as our main source of communication. Expect announcements, mentor support, and memes to be discussed here!