Table of Contents
ℹ️ HackKU25 Information
Welcome to HackKU25! Below you’ll find info on Wi-Fi, Discord, schedule, venue details, and more.
📶 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
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
View Slides from Presentation
- 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! View Slides from Presentation
Go to Patient Safety Tech to learn more about this track!
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!
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!
Friday
Dinner: Globe Indian
- Veggie Pakora
- Channa Masala
- Chicken 65
- Naan pieces
- Tikka Masala
- Rice
Late Night Snack: Eileens Colossal Cookies
- Cookies
- “Gluten free” cookie cake
- Thai milk with crystal bubbles
Saturday
Breakfast: Wheatfields Bakery
- Empanada trays (burgundy mushroom/swiss and chicken fajita)
- Quiche trays (ham/onion/gouda and tomato/basil/mozzarella)
- Breads and spreads:
- Hummus (vegan)
- Roasted red pepper
- Whipped chev and blueberry compote
- Dill and chive compound butter
- Croissants (plain / chocolate)
- Danish trays (cherry almond)
- Scone trays (apple cinnamon / cherry chocolate)
Lunch: Red Pepper
- Egg Rolls
- Crab Rangoons
- Vegetable Lo Mein
- Vegetable Fried Rice
- Sesame Chicken
- Beef Broccoli
- Cold Noodles
- Vegetable
Dinner: La Estrella
- Tacos: steak, carnitas, pollo, birria
- Rice
- Beans
Late Night Snack: Bubble Box
- Mango with crystal bubbles (vegan)
- Thai milk with oatmilk (no bubbles) (vegan / DF)
- Thai milk with crystal bubbles
Sunday
Breakfast: McClains
- Pastry Box
- Very Berry Sunflower Toast
- Market Bowl (halal chicken, sausage, other options)
- Coffee Carafe
🗺️ 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...)
Learned Hall Maps
Learned First Floor
Learned Second Floor
Learned Third Floor
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.