About HACKMESA
HACKMESA is the first-ever hackathon open to all students across the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), a district rich in diversity, talent, and untapped innovation. Organized by and for the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) community, this event aims to empower students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in STEM by providing a space where creativity, collaboration, and curiosity thrive.
Whether you're a first-time hacker or an experienced builder, HACKMESA welcomes you. Our mission is to break barriers, celebrate diverse perspectives, and ignite the next generation of engineers, designers, and problem-solvers from LACCD.
What makes HACKMESA special? It’s not just a hackathon, it’s a movement to spotlight student potential districtwide and create opportunities for growth, mentorship, and visibility within and beyond the MESA community.
Join us and help shape the future, one line of code, one idea, and one community at a time.
Requirements
A short, catchy title that reflects your project.
2. Reason for Making the Project (Inspiration/Problem Statement)-
What inspired your team to build this?
-
What problem are you trying to solve?
-
Who does it help and how?
-
What does your project do?
-
How do users interact with it?
-
Any special features, unique innovations, or standout aspects?
List of tools, languages, and frameworks used. Examples:
-
Frontend: React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS
-
Backend: Node.js, Express, Supabase, Firebase
-
Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB
-
Other Tools: Docker, OpenAI API, Figma
-
GitHub or GitLab repository (include frontend/backend links if separate)
-
Any deployment/hosted links (demo video, live site, etc.)
-
What were the biggest challenges your team faced?
-
What do you plan to improve if given more time?
Prizes
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
[MLH] Best Use of Gemini API || Google Swag
It’s time to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI using Google Gemini. Check out the Gemini API to build AI-powered apps that make your friends say WHOA. So, what can Gemini do for your hackathon project? Understand language like a human and build a chatbot that gives personalized advice Analyze info like a supercomputer and create an app that summarizes complex research papers Generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more Think of the possibilities… what will you build with the Google Gemini API this weekend?
[MLH] Best Use of MongoDB Atlas || M5GO IoT Starter Kit
MongoDB Atlas takes the leading modern database and makes it accessible in the cloud! Get started with a $50 credit for students or sign up for the Atlas free forever tier (no credit card required). Along with a suite of services and functionalities, you'll have everything you need to manage all of your data, and you can get a headstart with free resources from MongoDB University! Build a hack using MongoDB Atlas for a chance to win a M5GO IoT Starter Kit for you and each member of your team.
[MLH] Best .Tech Domain Name || Blue Snowball Microphone & a Free .Tech Domain Name for up to 10 years!
Make your Team's Achievements timeless: Win a .Tech Domain Name for up to 10 years to Showcase and Expand Your Project, plus Blue Snowball Mic for Effortless Collaboration on Zoom, empowering you to build even more cool things together!
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Simone
Hologram Labs
Judging Criteria
-
Technical Complexity
How technically challenging was the project? Did it involve advanced concepts or novel solutions?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
Tell your friends
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.