305 HackShells Edition is a hackathon initiative organized by Swift Club at FIU, Google Developer Group at Florida International University (GDG at FIU), Code Crunch Worldwide, ColorStack at FIU, CAHSI at FIU, Raspberry Pi Code Crunch, Hack University Worldwide, and Upsilon Phi Epsilon. The event is open to students from all majors.
The hackathon provides participants with the opportunity to build real projects, transform ideas into working prototypes, collaborate with peers, develop technical and interdisciplinary skills, gain experience for portfolios and résumés, and present their work through a live demonstration. Food and refreshments will be provided during the event.
Event Details: - Date: Friday, September 18, 2026 - Location: Florida International University — MMC, PG6, Room 144
Participation Requirements: To qualify as a winner, participants must present a working prototype or completed project that demonstrates and validates their idea. A concept or presentation without a developed project is not sufficient. Projects may be submitted individually or as a team. All participants must complete a live demo on the event date to be eligible for prizes and winner recognition.
Submission Process: Every team or solo participant must submit their project to Devpost. This submission is required for every participant and team to be considered an official 305 HackShells submission. While MLH and Kaggle submissions are separate, they do not replace the required Devpost submission.
Prizes and Categories: Participants can compete in multiple categories: - Best Overall (Devpost): Winners receive an official 305 HackShells Winner Certificate. - Major League Hacking (MLH) Prize: Participants must complete applicable MLH challenge requirements. Winning teams receive a $50 gift card per member, up to four members (maximum $200 per winning team). - Optional / Opt-In Challenge (Kaggle): Participants must opt in and complete Kaggle submission requirements. Winners receive an official 305 HackShells Winner Certificate.
Each prize platform represents a separate competition category, and one winner may be selected for each eligible category. For complete information regarding tracks, judging criteria, schedules, and eligibility, participants should review the Preflight Tasks and Hack Agenda on the official website: 305hackshells.vercel.app.