🧠 Introduction

NeuroHack 2025 is a 24-hour student-run hackathon focused on Cognitive Wellness. Open to both technical and non-technical students at UIUC, the event challenges participants to develop innovative solutions for mental health and wellness through software, design, and research-based projects.

This year's prompts explore themes like recognizing burnout, mindful study breaks, and sleep monitoring. We aim to foster a collaborative environment that empowers students of all experience levels to explore real-world solutions to challenges that impact cognitive wellbeing.

 

🛠️ Tools and Technologies Suggestions 

Participants are welcome to use any tools or frameworks that best suit their solution. Common tools include:

  • Technical Projects:
    • Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Java

    • Frameworks: React, Flask, Node.js, Express, Next.js

    • Databases: Firebase, MongoDB, PostgreSQL

    • APIs: OpenAI, Google Fit, Spotify, etc.

    • Platforms: GitHub, Replit, Vercel, Netlify

  • Non-Technical Projects: 
    • Design Tools: Figma, Canva, Notion, Miro

    • Presentation: PowerPoint, Google Slides

    • Research: Google Scholar, JSTOR, UX Interviews, Surveys

 

💡 Inspiration

We believe that cognitive wellness is often overlooked in academic environments. Students struggle with burnout, lack of sleep, and unstructured breaks that negatively affect their focus and wellbeing.

NeuroHack was created to not only raise awareness of these challenges but to provide a space for creative solutions, whether through tech innovation or conceptual design. We’re inspired by the belief that mental health is a tech problem, a human problem, and a community problem—one we can all help solve.

 

📬 Contact Us & Support Channels

Need help or have questions during the event?

  • 💬 Discord Server: Main support hub – find mentors, submit questions, and connect with other teams. (Invite link provided to registered participants)

  • 📧 Email: neurohack.uiuc@gmail.com

  • 🙋 Mentors will be walking around throughout the event for idea review, feasibility advice, and technical or design feedback.

 

📚 Additional Resource

Helpful resource before submitting your project:

  • Submission Guidelines & Rubric (found in email)