Student software developers hacked their way to multiple accolades at Bitcamp XI, held this spring at the University of Maryland.
Twenty-five members of Knight Hacks took part in the hackathon, where more than 1,000 participants brought their ideas to fruition in a 36-hour development marathon fueled by creativity, very little sleep and sheer drive to see their projects through. They took home five awards, including one that came with an unexpected invitation from challenge sponsor Google to present their project.
Knight Hacks was recognized for the following projects:
Prettiest Hack and Best Use of Google Gemini: VisuWorld
Developed using Google Gemini’s text to speech application programming interface, VisuWorld creates computer graphics using artificial intelligence. The team was invited to share the technology behind the app to the Google DeepMind team.
Best App Dev: Riffs
This app helps guitar players learn to play by converting a melody into notes displayed on a piano roll timeline and fretboard.
Best Use of MongoDB: Tarrifix
Using the Mongo database platform, this app computes the tariffs on items ordered through Amazon and educates users on import tariffs.
Best Razzle Dazzle, first place: World Racing
Inspired by Mario Kart, this game allows users to design and drive on an interactive, 3D racecourse using Google Maps.
Best Razzle Dazzle, second place: BirdBox
BirdBox uses machine learning to identify up to 200 bird species photographed from a phone. Inspired by Pokemon Go, it includes a “BirdDex” and tracks bird sightings over time.
“Being surrounded by others within Knight Hacks was critical to all of our team’s success,” says Dylan Vidal, Knight Hacks president. “There is a sense of responsibility that comes from representing a community as well, as many of us are more motivated to represent Knight Hacks than our individual selves, truly inspiring feeling. We kept each other on track, communicated with each other, and kept each other sane.”
Vidal adds that being a part of the organization has fundamentally influenced his academic journey and future career.
“I will be going to NVIDIA this summer as a sophomore all because of the things I have built at Knight Hacks and similar hackathons, demonstrating a largely positive impact on the internship application cycle,” Vidal says. “I have also learned so many new technologies from workshops that also add to my CV, as most of the internships I have acquired use technologies I have learned outside of class and at Knight Hacks.”
Adrian Blanchard, Knight Hacks treasurer, says the organization provides valuable training their members will use in the field once they graduate, and that many members leverage their hackathon experiences to garner internships and begin their careers.
“Knight Hacks holds weekly workshops kept everyone fresh on hackathon techniques and industry‑relevant tools,” Blanchard says. “Being surrounded by passionate peers, it definitely helps bring our mission statement to life of bridging the gap from the classroom to the tech industry.”
He adds that Knight Hacks helps ensure members are competent coders, but their organization helps create well-rounded industry professionals by emphasizing the soft skills that will help them stand out to future employers.
“Beyond technical skills, our community focuses on teamwork, leadership and communication qualities that help students long after graduation,” he says.
Though the team returned home with a collection of awards under their belt, the highlight of the weekend was the renewed sense of collaboration and community that reflects the spirit of Knight Hacks.
“The standout highlight was community,” Blanchard says. “Even though hack teams cap at four and some of us had three, all 25 of us worked as one. We swapped ideas, debugged each other’s code at midnight, and celebrated every milestone together. That collaborative spirit made the weekend unforgettable.”
- Written by Bel Huston