About the challenge

Most hackathons give everyone the same prompt. This one doesn’t.

In the STEMinate Wildcard Hack, you’ll create your own challenge by choosing words from different categories in our Word Bank. Your combination becomes your unique prompt, so no two teams have to build the same thing.

The goal isn’t to make the most complicated project. We want to see creative thinking, good problem solving, and how well you transform your chosen words into one cohesive idea.

Whether you’re making a website, mobile app, game, CAD design, hardware prototype, or anything in between, we can’t wait to see what you create.

Your project should tell one complete story that naturally incorporates every word you choose. Think of your words as pieces of a puzzle. The best projects won't just mention the words; they'll weave them together into a solution that makes sense.

For example, if your words are:

Water + Rubik's Cube + Drone + Car

questions you can ask yourself:

• Is the Rubik's Cube literal or metaphorical?

• Does the drone solve a water problem?

• How do all four connect?

• Is the car autonomous? 

Here, your project could be a drone system that monitors flooded roads after heavy rainfall. The drone scans road conditions, the car represents emergency vehicles that need safe routes, and the Rubik's Cube inspires an algorithm that efficiently solves the best path through changing road closures, much like solving a puzzle.

You can create your own combination from the Word Bank or choose one of our recommended sets if you'd like a starting point.

Get started

Form your team or participate solo.

Choose 3 - 4 words from the Word Bank.

Your project should solve that problem while following your chosen constraint.

If you’re stuck, feel free to use one of our recommended challenge sets below.

Build your project.

Don’t forget to write down the words you selected, you’ll need to include them in your submission.

WORD BANK

Objects

• Rubik’s Cube
• Umbrella
• Bicycle
• Magnet
• Mirror
• Flashlight
• Dice
• Compass
• Backpack
• Telescope

Technology

• Drone
• Robot
• GPS
• QR Code
• Sensor
• Satellite
• 3D Printer
• Smartwatch
• Solar Panel
• Bluetooth

Nature

• Water
• Volcano
• Tree
• Lightning
• Ocean
• Desert
• Wind
• Glacier
• Moon
• Coral
• Reef

Transportation

• Car
• Train
• Submarine
• Skateboard
• Rocket
• Hot Air Balloon
• Elevator
• Bicycle
• Ferry
• Motorcycle

Random

• Music
• Chocolate
• Origami
• Chess
• Camping
• Carnival
• Coffee
• Treasure
• Time
• Shadow

Example Combinations

Shadow + Telescope + Robot + Volcano

Chess + GPS + Ocean + Skateboard

Coffee + Satellite + Desert + Umbrella

Treasure + Magnet + Rocket + Origami

• Creativity & Innovation (30%)
  How original is the idea? Does the project present a unique solution or an interesting way of approaching the challenge? We’re looking for projects that think outside the box.
• Wildcard Integration (30%)
  How well were the chosen words incorporated? Each selected word should play a meaningful role in the project’s story, purpose, or functionality. The strongest projects make every word feel naturally connected.
• Technical Execution (25%)
  How well was the project built? Consider functionality, design, usability, and the overall quality of the implementation. A polished prototype is perfectly acceptable.
• Presentation & Impact (15%)
  How effectively was the project communicated? Teams should clearly explain their idea, demonstrate their project, and show how it addresses a meaningful problem or creates value.