Hackathon Summary
JAMHacks 8 was held at the University of Waterloo and brought together high school developers to create 40 projects over a 36-hour event from June 7 to 9. The hackathon aims to make the tech community more open to high school students, offering a variety of in-person workshops and activities in Building E 7. The hackathon showcased innovative projects in different categories, including Best Beginner Hack, Best Hardware Hack, and Best Blockchain Hack, promoting technical creativity and skill development.
Notable prizes included an Instax Mini film camera and a mini speaker for the first prize winner, while other prizes included an Arduino kit and a Keychron keyboard. Specialized tracks such as the Adobe Express Challenge inspired creative expansion, while workshops on tools such as MATLAB and TinyMCE promoted learning. The event recognized innovations in the blockchain space such as Starknet, as well as creative and technical excellence. The Hackathon effectively fostered new skills, ideas, and connections, ultimately resulting in diverse technological advances in different areas of interest.
Hackathon Winners
Overall Top Prize Winners
• TouchUp : Uses Holo-Touch technology and AI models to convert ordinary devices into touch screens based on gesture control. It leverages MediaPipe, OpenCV, and Pynput.
• Signematic : Provides instant sign language translation for media, improving accessibility through machine learning and gesture models, using Beautiful Soup, Three.js, and Node.js.
• FITRIS : Combining fitness with gaming, using OpenCV to translate workout moves into Tetris controls, built on a Flask backend and React JS frontend.
Hardware Track Prize Winner
• BioTron : An automated plant watering system that uses AI and TCP/IP protocol to achieve efficient plant maintenance, designed with self-watering pots and hot-swappable modules.
Beginner Track Prize Winner
• gnome biome : A wellness site that helps manage stress, with AI gnome advice, combined with TinyMCE for note-taking and mood calendar tracking.
Solo Developer Track Prize Winner
• Dreamweaver : A game that explores dream intervention, where players influence dream events through the insight function.
Marketing Track Prize Winner
• Geese SHEET : Detect goose droppings through an IP camera attached to a shirt, using Python scripts with Roboflow and Fusion for model training.
Game Development Track Prize Winner
• Mind-Mart : An educational game that promotes mental health awareness through engaging game mechanics, showcasing scenarios relevant to the condition.
Blockchain Track Prize Winner
• Doctors On Dial : Blockchain-based platform for secure and efficient transfer of medical data using MatLabs, NEAR, and JavaScript, including AI analytics for cancer detection.
Best Use of Near Protocol Prize Winner
• YapChain : A decentralized social media platform based on NEAR, designed for secure, anonymous data management, offering a unique user experience and blockchain integration.
Best Warp/Dev Tool Prize Winner
• GripGuardian : An ergonomic mouse that provides hand health analysis via sensors, with real-time posture feedback provided via a comprehensive web application.
Best Use of TinyMCE Prize Winner
• MemorEase : Enhancing social connectivity in people with dementia through digital visualization of memory diaries, using OpenAI API and vis.js for visual charting.
Best Use of Adobe API Prize Winner
Best Use of Starknet Prize Winner
• UNiDLoan : is a blockchain application that connects students and investors for study loans, using Next.js, MongoDB, and NEAR tokens for secure transactions.
Best Use of MATLAB Prize Winner
• AnyJAMS : A real-time tool for performance evaluation of karaoke, using Flask and MATLAB, providing performance feedback through advanced algorithms such as xcorr.
To view all the innovative projects of JAMHacks 8, visit the official website .
About the Organizer
JAMHacks
JAMHacks is a proactive organization dedicated to fostering innovation among high school students through hands-on technology projects. With a commitment to inclusivity and skill development, JAMHacks hosts events where more than 200 students collaborate on creative technology solutions. By providing workshops and mentorship, the organization helps participants focus on project development, emphasizing learning, connection, and innovation. JAMHacks continues to nurture young talent and prepare them for future success in tech. For more information, visit its website at jamhacks.ca .
