HopperHacks Gives Students a First Step into Building Real-World Tech

Students spent a weekend designing and building technology projects during HopperHacks, the annual hackathon hosted by the Stony Brook University Women in Computer Science (WiCS) club. Now in its 11th year, the event brings undergraduate and graduate students together in the Student Activities Center to develop projects in a collaborative, beginner-friendly environment.

Teams built web applications, experimented with artificial intelligence tools, and prototyped new apps and digital tools during the 24-hour event, which featured a Harry Potter-inspired "Hackwarts" theme complete with house-style banners and themed signage throughout the space.

Despite a sudden blizzard that disrupted the weekend's plans, 245 participants took part in this year's hackathon and produced 49 final project submissions. The event is designed to help students - many attending their first hackathon - gain hands-on experience building projects while connecting with mentors and peers across the Stony Brook computing community.

In the days leading up to the hackathon, WiCS hosts Bootcamp Week, a series of workshops that introduces participants to technical concepts they can use in their projects. Sessions this year covered topics ranging from 3D web design and user authentication to tutorials on using artificial intelligence tools such as AlphaFold. During the hackathon, mentors circulated throughout the room, stopping by tables to answer questions and help teams work through technical challenges.

"For over a decade, HopperHacks has been the only hackathon on campus that has aimed to be specifically beginner-friendly," organizers said. "More than only projects, though, HopperHacks builds community."

The projects developed during HopperHacks reflected a wide range of ideas and real-world applications. Early concepts included mental health check-in tools, campus wellness platforms, accessibility interfaces and education-focused applications.

Winning projects included Sol Quest, which earned first place in the Beginner track, and Graceful, which won the Diversity and Inclusion track for its work on making documents easier to adapt for accessibility needs. Other top projects included ZeroCrumb, a health and accessibility tool focused on tracking food consumption, and EcoSnap, which encourages recycling through gamified interactions.

Although the blizzard forced organizers to move judging and the closing ceremony online, teams adapted quickly, submitting video presentations of their projects so judges could review them remotely.

As HopperHacks continues to evolve, WiCS organizers hope to expand the event while maintaining its welcoming spirit for newcomers. Plans for future years include hosting the hackathon entirely in person and opening participation to students from other universities, further expanding the collaborative community HopperHacks has built at Stony Brook.