Can’t find your answer here? Email kbauman@temple.edu.
Participating
Who can participate?
All Temple students, undergraduate and graduate, from every school and college. Faculty and staff are welcome to join student teams.
Do I need coding experience?
No. Today’s AI tools let you build working prototypes without writing code, and the kickoff tutorial shows you how. Teams mix people with different backgrounds, so your knowledge of a problem, design, research, or communication matters as much as technical skill.
How do I register, and what is the deadline?
Fill out the registration form by Monday, October 26.
How much time will it take?
The challenge runs for ten days, from October 28 to November 6. Teams work part-time around their classes and set their own schedules. Plan to attend the kickoff, send two short checkups, and present on demo day.
Can I participate remotely?
You can join the kickoff on Zoom. Demo day is in person in Alter Hall, and at least one member of each team must present there.
What if I can’t attend the kickoff?
Register anyway and select that option on the form. We will match you with a team the next day.
Teams
Do I need a team to sign up?
No. Register on your own, and we will match you into a team at the kickoff based on your skills and interests.
How big are teams?
Three to five members. We aim for teams that mix different schools, majors, and skills.
Projects
How do we choose a problem?
Pick one from the Problem Bank or propose your own. Either way, start with a real need and the people it affects. See the Guidelines & Judging page for the tracks.
Which AI tools can we use?
Any tools you like. Your final deck must list every AI tool you used, which version, and for what purpose. Our AI Tools and Resources page lists free options to get started.
Where can we work, and what support is available?
The Duckworth Scholars Studio in Charles Library is the work hub for the challenge, with workspace, study rooms, and a computing lab. See Temple Library Resources. Mentors also hold office hours throughout the build days.
Who owns our project after the challenge?
Your team owns its work. If your project is selected for continued development with IBIT or a Temple unit, we will agree on next steps together, consistent with Temple policy.
Submission and Judging
What do we need to submit, and when?
Two checkups during the build (October 31 and November 3), then your final slide deck by Friday, November 6, at 12:00 pm. No late submissions are accepted. The Guidelines & Judging page lists the required slides.
How long is the demo day presentation?
About 5 to 7 minutes, followed by questions from the judges. The exact length depends on the number of teams.
How are projects judged?
A panel of judges scores each presentation on seven criteria. The importance of the problem and the value to users carry the most weight. See the judging criteria.
Prizes
What can we win?
The top three teams win $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000, split evenly among team members. IBIT may also select promising projects, including ones outside the top three, for continued development on campus. See Prizes.
Logistics
Is food provided?
Yes, at the kickoff and on demo day. Let us know about dietary restrictions on the registration form.
I have accessibility needs. Who should I contact?
Note them on the registration form, or email kbauman@temple.edu. We will work with you to make sure you can take part fully.
How will we communicate during the challenge?
By email. We will send updates and reminders to the Temple email address you used to register, so check it regularly during the challenge.