CAEE Hackathon
Build. Code. Collaborate. Compete.
The CAEE Hackathon is a collaborative, hands-on experience where undergraduate students brainstorm ideas, develop prototypes and present their work. Join us to compete for prizes and recognition, connect with industry professionals and have fun!
What to Expect
Participants can expect a dynamic environment where they’ll be challenged to think critically and creatively. You will have the chance to:
- Collaborate with fellow students across disciplines to brainstorm and develop solutions.
- Learn from best in class researchers through training sessions, gaining insights into cutting-edge technologies and approaches in civil engineering.
- Innovate by applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges, potentially laying the groundwork for future research or startup ideas.
- Compete for prizes and recognition, showcasing your solutions to a panel of judges.
- Connect with industry professionals who will present real-world challenges and provide mentorship throughout the event, offering insights into current industry needs and career pathways.
All participants will receive a certificate recognizing their completion of the hackathon, perfect for adding to your resume or LinkedIn profile (don’t forget to tag us!). It’s a rewarding experience that showcases your skills and dedication.
For Graduate Students
Graduate students are encouraged to participate in the Hackathon as mentors, volunteers or logistical support. It’s a great opportunity to share your experience, support student teams and get involved in a high-energy, impactful event.
- What is a Hackathon?
A hackathon is a combination of “hack,” which means creative problem-solving or building something quickly, and “marathon,” which emphasizes the intense and extended duration of the event. It’s a collaborative, hands-on experience where participants brainstorm ideas, develop prototypes and present their work. However, don’t worry about being an expert—hackathons are a great opportunity to learn, innovate, and have fun with your friends! - Do I need to be good at programming?
Not at all! If you’ve taken CE311K (Introduction to Computer Methods) or CE377K (Data Science in CAEE), that’s great—it could give you a helpful foundation. But if you haven’t taken these courses or don’t have prior coding experience, no worries! We’ll provide basic Python programming training during the event. Plus, you’ll have support from our amazing graduate student coding mentors. They’ll be there as your hackathon pacemakers, ready to help you tackle challenges and keep your progress on track. - Do you offer any training?
Yes, we do! We will offer ad hoc training sessions to cover different topics, including data analytics, refresher to Python, AI/ML, web apps and visualization training during the hackathon. So, if you get stuck, help is just a training session or a mentor away.
For Industry Partners
Our Hackathon provides a unique opportunity to connect with talented students as they tackle real-world problems, often leading to surprising insights for your own work. Beyond talent scouting, you’ll be contributing to meaningful education while showcasing your company as an innovation leader.
CAEE Hackathon is also a great networking opportunity to connect with peers, students and UT Austin faculty. Many partners find these relationships extend well beyond the event itself.
Our Hackathon thrives on collaboration and mentorship. There are several ways to contribute—whether you’re bringing real-world challenges from your organization, offering guidance or simply connecting with students.
Ways for Industry Partners to Participate
- Bring a Problem
Industry partners are invited to submit real-world challenges for students to solve. These problems form the foundation of the Hackathon projects and give students exposure to relevant, impactful work. - Mentor
Graduate students, industry professionals or sponsors can serve as mentors, supporting student teams as they brainstorm, prototype and present. Mentors provide guidance, answer technical questions and help students stay on track. - Judge
Faculty, industry professionals, and sponsors are invited to evaluate student projects during the final showcase. Judges provide feedback, assess innovation and help select winning teams. - Join Us for Lunch
Everyone is welcome to attend our closing lunch and final presentations. It’s a great opportunity to meet students, hear about their work, and celebrate their accomplishments.
Questions about this event?
For questions about this event or to plan a future event, please reach out to our department.
