ECU Spark
Hackathon!
Get ready to fire up your creativity and unleash your innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills at ECU Spark! You’ll have the opportunity to put your technical skills to the test and tackle big challenges with your innovative solutions. You’ll be able to showcase your technical skills, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and present your winning idea to a panel of judges! Plus, did we mention there are prizes? Save the date and mark your calendars; this is an event you won’t want to miss!
INNOVATE
COLLABORATE
CELEBRATE
Registration Is Now Open!
Spark 2025 is here! Make sure to register your spot by clicking the link below:
More About Spark
From the initial spark of the idea to the final showcase in front of our panel of judges, ECU Spark is an all-day hackathon dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration. Participants, whether in teams or going solo, will use their technical skills to code the best winning project. This event is open to all!
This year, Spark will feature three tracks for participants to compete in to best match their experience and interests, each with their own eligibility and prizes.
- Beginner Track: Open to first and second years in the Computer Science or Software Engineering programs, as well as students in other majors.
Prizes: Cat tumbler and Raspberry Pi - General Track: Open to anyone who has not submitted to the Beginner track.
Prizes: Lego Gameboy set and Raspberry Pi - AWS Track: Teams may optionally submit to the AWS Track in addition to either the Beginner or General Track. Submissions must include an AWS technology, and teams should be prepared to explain how and why it was used.
Prizes: AWS swag for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus an Amazon Echo for 1st place
All students who check in at Spark will also automatically be entered into a participation raffle. At the end of the event, winners will be randomly selected from the list of checked-in students to receive raffle prizes, which include a $15 Cucinella’s gift card, Tech Summit 2026 T-shirts, and Spark 2025 T-shirts. However, students must be present at the end of the event to receive the prize.
Location: Ballard Sounds
Time: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Date: Friday, March 20th, 2026
Schedule
8:30 AM — Doors open/Check-in
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM — Opening Ceremony
9:15 AM — Hacking begins!
12:00 PM — Lunch
5:15 PM — Hacking ends!
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM — Judging & Dinner
6:30 PM – 6:45 PM — Judge Deliberation
6:45 PM – 7:00 PM — Winners announced! Prizes awarded
2026 Winners:
General
Beginner
AWS
Aws
2025 Winners:
1st
2nd
3rd
2024 Winners:
1st
2nd
3rd
2023 Winners:
overalL
Health
EDucation
Finance
FAQs
Hackathons are competitive events where programmers collaborate to create a product or solution to an existing problem, often chosen from a specified category. Requiring rapid development of a product and/or presentation, they often take place over a day or weekend. ECU Spark is a mini hackathon, allowing participants full creativity and only seven hours to code. Don’t worry, though; we don’t expect your project to be polished or complete. Judges are interested to see what you do get accomplished!
There are many benefits to participating in a hackathon! Hackathons offer the chance to earn hands-on problem-solving and coding experience. For beginners, hackathons are a platform to learn from and collaborate with more experienced programmers. Many hackathons even include workshops to help you learn new skills. For advanced students, hackathons are a way to apply what you know and showcase your technological genius. Plus, they look great on a resume!
While Spark is geared toward tech-based majors, all ECU students are welcome to join us! Whether you have years of experience or none, whether you are a Computer Science major or in the English department, we would love to have you! No matter who you are, you will be able to benefit from our challenging and collaborative environment.
We are so excited that you are interested in signing up for ECU Spark! To sign up, please click this link to register for the event in the Pirate Experience.
You can work with anyone who has RSVPed to Spark. Prizes will be awarded to up to four team members, so please cap your team at four. Feel free to make your teams beforehand; we don’t need to know your team until the day of the event. If you don’t have any partners in mind, try to come at 8:30, and we will match you with eligible teammates. You are also allowed to work solo if you feel up to the challenge!
Excellent question! We understand that many people have classes or other conflicts on Fridays. ECU Spark in an open event. While we want you in the room if you are working on your project, we understand if you must run out or come in late to go to class. Your teammates will still be able to work on your project while you are gone.
Please bring a charger and a laptop with any software you plan to use for your project. Lunch and snacks will provided, but feel free to bring your own as well.
Special Thanks to...
We would like to extend our gratitude to our esteemed judges for their contribution to ECU Spark 2026. Our appreciation also goes to Mrs. Mao, the advisor of ACM@ECU Student Chapter, for her guidance. Additionally, we are deeply thankful to the SGA, Dr. Ding, the Computer Science Department, and the College of Engineering and Technology for their unwavering support! We are also extremely thankful to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for their judging, mentorship, and prizes for the new AWS track! Additionally, huge thank you to Food Lion for donating snacks to keep everyone fueled throughout the event. And shoutout to our amazing local businesses, Cucinella’s and La Rancherita, for donating gift cards for prizes and supporting our students!