📶 Wi-Fi

KU students should be able to log in to the JAYHAWK Wi-Fi network as usual. Non-KU students may use the Wi-Fi network called KU GUEST, which should be available campus-wide. Please contact an organizer if you are having issues using the Wi-Fi.

🧳 What to Bring

Here’s a handy checklist to help you pack for HackKU25! Be prepared for comfort, productivity, and overnight hacking!

• Tech & Tools:
  • Laptop
  • Headphones/earbuds
  • Chargers & extension cords
  • Notebook and pens/pencils
  • Any specific hardware or devices (e.g., Raspberry Pi)
  • Mouse
• Comfort:
  • Comfortable clothing (layers are great!)
  • Pillows, blankets, or sleeping bag
  • Reusable water bottle
  • 18+ chaperone for minors
• Personal Care:
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Toiletries
  • Towel (if applicable)
  • Medications (if applicable)

👾 Discord

Join the HackKU 2025 Discord!

Discord will be the main form of communication during the event. There will be channels for announcements, meeting team members, and reaching out to sponsors, mentors, and organizers.

Helper Duck
This year we have created a Discord Bot, Helper Duck, to quickly and easily get help from mentors! For more information on how to use Helper Duck, see below: Helper Duck.

🧳 Travel

🌤️ Weather

The average April weather in Lawrence, Kansas can be anywhere between 40–80°F and is generally sunny, but be prepared for the possibility of rain as well!

🗺️ Venue Information

HackKU25 will take place throughout the University of Kansas School of Engineering, which includes LEEP2, Eaton, and Learned Halls. The Opening Ceremony will take place across campus in Budig Hall 120 Auditorium

Accommodations

HackKU will NOT be providing specific sleeping accommodations, however, all participants are welcome to sleep in the venue if they wish, and the room LEEP2 2420 will be a designated de-stressing room with movie screening and board games. There are several affordable hotels near KU’s campus as well.

✈️ For Flying Travelers

Airport

The closest airport is MCI (often colloquially called Kansas City International or KCI).

Airport to Lawrence, Kansas

MCI is about 50 miles northeast of Lawrence, Kansas. The best way to get from MCI to Lawrence is via Uber or Lyft.

Getting around Town

• Lawrence has a free bus system! The maps and schedules can be found here.
• Uber and Lyft are also reasonably priced.
• Much of Lawrence’s downtown is within a ~20–30 min walk from campus.

🌻 More Information

If you have any questions about KU, Lawrence, or Kansas, feel free to reach out to an organizer! We are happy to help and provide some recommendations.

🗓️ Schedule

Check-in Process

We will be checking in at the front doors on the ground floor of LEEP2 starting at 5PM on Friday, April 4. You must check-in to pick up your ID badge, which gets you access to food and swag. If you are unable to check-in during this time, stop by the Organizer’s HQ when you do arrive.

Schedule

The full schedule can be found in the Schedule tab. The schedule may be updated throughout the Hackathon, so be sure to check the Discord for any updates.

💻 Competition Details

Team Formation

• Your team may consist of up to four participants.
• All team members must be registered participants of HackKU25, check in, and be present at the event.
• Don’t worry if you don’t have a team yet! There will be a team formation event after the opening ceremony, and a teambuilding channel on Discord to find teammates.

Competition Rules

• All code for your project MUST be written during HackKU, between 8PM on April 4th and 8AM on April 6th.
• Your entire project must be created only by the participants on your team.
• Your code must be made public on GitHub for judging purposes.

🏆 Tracks, Challenges & Prizes

The official HackKU theme and track details will be announced during the Opening Ceremony. Track rules, guidelines, and judging criteria will be revealed afterwards.

Theme Track

Challenge Details: Health and Well-Being

• 1st Place: Nintendo Switch Lite (Turquoise)
• 2nd Place: Fujifilm Instax Mini 11
• 3rd Place: $50 Gift Cards

General Track

• 1st Place: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (2024)
• 2nd Place: Keychron K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard
• 3rd Place: $50 Gift Cards

Challenge Prizes

• Best High School Project: Anker PowerCore 10K
• Best Beginner Project (College/University): 3 Qt Air Fryer
• Best Hardware Project: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB)
• Most Creative UI/UX: Wacom “One” Drawing Tablet
• Hacker’s Choice Award: JBL Go 3 Bluetooth Speaker

🎯 Sponsor Tracks

Patient Safety Technology Challenge

Have you or someone you know experienced receiving incorrect medication, developed an infection within a healthcare facility, or faced a delay in treatment due to a new diagnosis not being communicated timely? These are exactly the types of patient safety issues we are challenging you to tackle this weekend. Your innovative hack could not only become a viable business but also significantly benefit humanity and save lives!
Go to Patient Safety Tech to learn more about this track!

View Slides from Presentation

Prizes:

• First Place: Beats Solo 4
• Second Place: Logitech G305 Wireless Mouse

Pella Sponsor Track

This award recognizes the team that develops the most groundbreaking solution in the realm of home innovation. The winning hack will showcase originality, creativity, and a forward-thinking approach.
Example ideas: Home automation, Recipe Finder and Meal Planner, Home Energy Efficiency Calculator, Apartment Finder.

Prizes:

• 1st Place: Keychron K3 Mechanical Keyboard and Logitech Bluetooth Computer Speakers with Subwoofer
• 2nd Place: Keychron K3 Mechanical Keyboard and Logitech Bluetooth Computer Speakers with Subwoofer

Ripple Sponsor Track

Use RLUSD on the XRP Ledger to build an innovative finance app. Explore applications such as DeFi, cross-border payments, micropayments, digital wallets, RWA Tokenization, InsurTech, RegTech, financial inclusion, crowdfunding, and more.

Requirements:

• Operations must run on XRPL testnet
• Transactions verifiable via explorer
• Public GitHub repo with MIT License
• 2-minute demo video
• Majority of project must be built during HackKU

Prizes:

• Winning Team: $1,000
• Runner-up: $500

Niantic Sponsor Track

Create a WebXR experience utilizing Niantic Studio’s beta visual editor to create an immersive experience that transforms the world around you.
Go to the Niantic workshop to learn more about this track!

View Slides from Presentation

Prize:

• Prize: $100 Amazon Gift Card per team member

Major League Hacking (MLH) Prizes

• Best Use of Gemini API: Assorted Prizes (Visit MLH Booth)
• Best Use of Midnight: JBL Tune 510BT Wireless Headphones
• Best Use of MongoDB Atlas: M5GO IoT Starter Kit
• Best Domain Name from GoDaddy Registry: Digital Gift Card

🧑‍💻 Workshops & Events

No hackathon experience would be complete without workshops and events! Learn new skills at workshops, and take a break from coding to meet other hackers at social events.

Bingo Card

Participate and complete the challenges on your HackKU25 Bingo Card to win awesome prizes! Each completed square brings you closer to victory. Prizes coming soon!

Event / Workshop Schedule

The full schedule of workshops and events will be available on the Schedule page. Be sure to check it out! All Workshops and Events will be posted here.

🍽️ Food

All meals are provided free of charge, and assorted snacks and drinks will be available throughout the weekend!

🗺️ Venue / Maps

HackKU will be hosted at the University of Kansas School of Engineering. The main building (Learned Engineering Expansion 2, LEEP2) is located at 1536 W 15th St, Lawrence, KS 66045. Rooms for hacking, workshops, and other events are listed below.

LEEP2 Maps

LEEP2 Ground Floor (LEEP2 G...)

LEEP2 First Floor (LEEP2 1...)

LEEP2 Second Floor (LEEP2 2...)

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Learned Hall Maps

Learned First Floor

Learned Second Floor

Learned Third Floor

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Map to Opening Ceremony (Budig Hall)

Map to Opening Ceremony (Budig Hall) from Engineering

Hacking Rooms

• Available for everyone: LEEP2: 2415, 2425; Learned: 1136, 2111, 2115, 2133, 3150, 3151, 3152, 3153, 3154
• Themed rooms (for registered): LEEP2: 2324, 2326, 2328
• Giveaway rooms: LEEP2: 2322 & 2320
• Rooms for high-schoolers & out-of-state: LEEP2: 1320, 1322, 1324, 1326, 1328

🚗 Parking

Participants should plan to arrive on the afternoon of Friday, April 4th to check in.

• If you arrive before 5:00 PM on Friday, park in the Allen Fieldhouse garage (first hour fee $1.75 + $1.50/hr until 5PM).
• If you arrive after 5:00 PM, we recommend parking in Lots 41, 54, 72, or 90. All lots are free to park in after 5:00 on Friday, shown below or on KU’s full parking map. Don't hesitate to reach out to an organizer if you have any questions about parking.

📚 Resources

📜 Code of Conduct

Please review the HackKU Code of Conduct here: Code of Conduct.