What is a hackathon?
The methodology that transforms ideas into real solutions in record time.
A hackathon is an intensive collaborative innovation event, where people with different skills come together to solve a specific challenge in a limited time.
It’s not just a competition: it’s an accelerated learning and teamwork experience that combines creativity, technology and critical thinking.
At Mars Challenge, hackathons are at the heart of the program because they reproduce, in a concentrated format, the high-pressure, highly collaborative environments that the future demands… and that humanity is already experiencing.
Why a hackathon is the best methodology for our dual-planet goal
01.
Active learning
in action
- Participants do not learn passively: they apply knowledge and skills to create tangible solutions.
02.
Resolution of
real challenges
- The teams design solutions that can be implemented both on Earth and in extreme environments such as Mars.
03.
Development of
key competences
- Competencies that are not only valued in academia, but are highly demanded in the global labor market.
04
Environment
multidisciplinary
and multicultural
- This diversity of thinking increases the quality and feasibility of solutions.
05.
Immediate impact
and motivating
- The prototypes created can be further developed after the event, driven by the initial motivation.
Why it works for Mars Challenge
Meeting the challenge of designing solutions for Earth and Mars requires fast thinking, teamwork and agile prototyping.
The hackathon is the perfect tool for:
– Simulating working conditions in extreme environments.
– Testing ideas quickly and efficiently.
– Bringing diverse talent together around a common purpose.
That’s why every key phase of the Mars Challenge revolves around this methodology: it’s the most effective way to turn creativity into real impact.
At a hackathon, one day can change the way you see the world
… and the future.
