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12 months ago

AND THE HACKATHON BEGINS NOW....

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Dear Participants,

 

The official prompt for the Code the Past Hackathon 2025 has been released.

 

This year’s challenge is inspired by the FIRST Tech Challenge 2025–2026 theme, “DECODE.” The theme encourages students to uncover lessons from the past and transform them into innovations for the future.

 

 

 

Official Prompt

 

 

Create a project that draws insight, data, or inspiration from history to address a challenge facing the world today or tomorrow.

 

Your goal is to explore how lessons, discoveries, and innovations from the past can guide us toward solving modern or future problems.

 

You may choose to:

 

  • Build an AI tool that uses historical data to predict or prevent future challenges.

  • Design a robotic or hardware prototype inspired by early engineering concepts.

  • Develop a software solution that reimagines a historical idea for a modern purpose.

  • Create a hybrid project that connects past knowledge with future innovation.

 

 

 

 

Event Details

 

 

  • Dates: November 8–9, 2025

  • Submission Deadline: Sunday, November 9 at 12:00 PM ET

  • Submission Format: 3–5 minute demo video and a short written overview submitted through the event portal

  • Location: Online

  • Mentorship: Available throughout the weekend on the official Discord server

 

 

 

 

Judging Criteria

 

 

Projects will be evaluated on the following:

 

  • Innovation – originality and creativity of the idea

  • Technical Quality – functionality, accuracy, and execution

  • Impact – real-world relevance and potential for positive change

  • Presentation – clarity, organization, and demonstration quality

 

 

 

 

Judges and Sponsors

 

 

We are honored to welcome our judges: Bill Zhang, Fanhao Yu, and Arvin KC, all distinguished leaders in FTC and technology.

 

We also extend our gratitude to our sponsors, Analog Devices and Amphenol, whose generous support has made this event possible.

 

 

 

Next Steps

 

 

  1. Review the prompt and begin brainstorming ideas with your team.

  2. Join the official Discord to connect with mentors and other participants.

  3. Begin developing your prototype or solution and prepare your demo video for submission by the deadline.

 

 

 

This weekend is your opportunity to decode the past and code the future.

We look forward to seeing your creativity, innovation, and impact.

 

Sincerely,

The Blue VIII Robotics Team

2024 New Hampshire FTC State Champions