CS50 Hackathon

The CS50 Hackathon is an epic night at Harvard, 2025-11-20T18:00:00-05:00/2025-11-21T02:00:00-05:00, in the Science & Engineering Complex (SEC) at 150 Western Ave, Allston MA 02134 during which you can dive into your final project’s implementation alongside classmates and staff. If you choose to partake, you’ll be asked to propose three milestones for yourself that evening: a “good” one that you intend to achieve no matter what; a “better” one that you think you can achieve; and a “best” one that you hope to achieve. Domino’s pizza will be served around 7am and those still awake at 12am will be treated to late night IHOP. Snacks and drinks will be served throughout the evening. Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options will also be available.

During the Hackathon, CS50 staff will also be available to help you with your project at the Help Desk, and various workshops to help you with your project will be held during the Hackathon as well!

Workshop Schedule

During the Hackathon, CS50’s own staff will run workshops on various topics that may be helpful for your final project or to learn for future projects! Workshops will take place in Room 1.321, The Winokur Family Hall, on the following schedule:

Time Leader Topic Description
7:30–8:10pm Natalia Siwek Git & GitHub In this workshop, you’ll learn some of the most popular tools for collaboration and version control used in software engineering. We’ll spend the first 25 minutes covering essential Git commands and setup, followed by 15 minutes of troubleshooting and hands-on help to get your environment ready!
8:30–9:15pm Katherine Byunn-Rieder React React is a modern, popular web app framework that allows you to build beautiful websites simply! In this workshop we’ll walk through the basics of React — from components to state — while building a simple dynamic web app together! You will also learn the basics of Javascript.
9:30–10:15pm Yaying Liang Li Pygame With the Pygame library, you can create pretty hefty and cool games. In this workshop, we’ll go over the basics of Pygame, including the game loop, player movement, classes, drawing to the screen, and animations, if we have time! Try to come with Python and VS Code already installed!
10:30–11:15pm Mohamed Cassim & Sein Yun How to use AI How LLMs work, auto-coding tools, which models to use, OpenAI API demo, and how to work with it (structured and unstructured IO).

Memories from Last Year

How to get there

  • If walking from, say, the Coop, follow this route. Odds are the walk will take 20+ minutes.
  • If taking the shuttle, take the Allston Loop to the SEC. Those are regularly scheduled shuttles, not CS50 Shuttles, so space will be limited.
    • SEC - Harvard Square - Law School - Memorial Hall - Lamont Library
    • Departing every ~ 20 minutes
  • If driving, drive to 150 Western Avenue in Allston (aka Boston). Metered parking is available along Western Avenue, in front of the SEC.

If you find yourself lost, email heads@cs50.harvard.edu and tell us what you see around you!

What to bring

You must bring…

  • Harvard ID
  • Laptop with charger

You might also want to bring…

  • Headphones
  • Phone with charger
  • Water bottle

You may not bring…

  • Alcohol, etc.

Ed

To see announcements and chat with classmates during the Hackathon, visit Ed and keep an eye on the CS50 Hackathon category.

FAQs

Can I arrive late?

Yes, you may! If arriving particularly late, be sure to walk with multiple friends, or call the Evening Van Service at 617-495-0400 before 2:30am, or use Lyft or Uber.

Can I leave early?

Yes, you may! Call the Evening Van Service at 617-495-0400 to arrange for pick-up. If leaving on foot, be sure to walk with a few friends.

How do I check in upon arrival?

First visit the check-in tables in the ground-floor lobby. Then complete your check-in at cs50.ly/checkin.

What if I can’t attend after all?

If the CS50 Bot confirmed your spot but you can no longer attend, please email heads@cs50.harvard.edu.

What music was played?

Coming soon!

When does it start?

Around 6pm!

When does it end?

By 12am for folks who’re sleepy and by 2am for folks who’re awake (and hungry!) for IHOP!

Will there be food and drinks?

Yes! With so many folks in attendance, though, do try to be gentle with quantities.

Will there be gluten-free food?

Some, yes. It’ll be set aside, so just check with the staff as to where it is.

Will there be shuttles?

Harvard Students

If, because of mobility impairment or medical condition, you find it difficult or impossible to use Harvard’s shuttles, do contact the Evening Van Service in advance of the Hackathon to make arrangements to and from the Hackathon. Just let heads@cs50.harvard.edu know if you need a hand.

To the Hackathon?

Yes, via regularly scheduled shuttles. Here’s how to get there. But space will be limited, so it’s probably best to walk (or bike or scoot) to the Hackathon instead with friends.

From the Hackathon?

Yes, via chartered CS50 Shuttles. Some of the shuttles will head to IHOP around 12am, depending on how many classmates are (still!) hungry, and some shuttles will head to the River houses, Yard, and Quad.

With that said, space will still be limited, even though we’ve literally reserved every shuttle that Harvard owns! So the shuttles destined for the River houses, Yard, and Quad might make multiple loops, in which case there might be a bit of a wait. But you’re welcome to walk home with friends if you’d rather not wait!

Please forgive, especially if weary or grumpy at that hour, if we can’t quite fit everyone into shuttles all at once!