Keystone Hack-a-thon Competition
What is the Keystone Competition?
PA Student Competitions are evolving to better inspire, engage, and impact students across Pennsylvania through the introduction of The Keystone Competition. This exciting, single-day event will replace the current Governor’s STEM Competition, making it more accessible and inclusive for all learners. The redesigned format invites students in three grade bands; 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12, to collaborate, innovate, and problem-solve in a dynamic, hands-on environment.
A Day of Innovation for All Students
The Keystone Competition will take place at each of Pennsylvania’s Intermediate Units (IUs), allowing students and advisors to attend locally. Each grade band could host up to 20 students or more per IU, with teams consisting of 4 to 5 students. This statewide effort has the potential to engage up to 1,740 students or more, far surpassing the impact of the previous competition model, which reached just over 250 students across the state.
The shift to a single-day competition lowers barriers to participation for both students and advisors by eliminating the extensive preparation previously required. This format welcomes a more diverse range of participants, encouraging students of all abilities and experiences to join in the excitement.
An Inspiring Kickoff and Challenge
The day will begin with a statewide virtual keynote address that connects all participants, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. At the conclusion of the presentation, the speaker will unveil the day’s challenge—a real-world problem requiring innovative solutions.
Teams will then embark on their design journey, imagining, creating, and prototyping solutions within the day. Whether their solution is a digital product, physical prototype, or conceptual model, students will have the freedom to think big, collaborate, and showcase their creativity.
A Launchpad for Future Innovation
The Keystone STEM-a-Thon is designed not only as a stand-alone event but also as a stepping stone to other innovation opportunities. The ideas and skills students cultivate during the STEM-a-Thon can inspire participation in additional challenges such as Invention Convention or MaDcom. By fostering creative confidence and problem-solving skills, the STEM-a-Thon empowers students to become active participants in the innovation pipeline.
A More Inclusive and Impactful Approach
The shift to the Keystone Competition marks a significant step toward equity, accessibility, and broad participation in STEM education across the Commonwealth. By streamlining the competition process, we are creating opportunities for more students to engage meaningfully with STEM, sparking their curiosity and unlocking their potential. This innovative format reflects our commitment to empowering students, supporting educators, and building a stronger, more innovative future for Pennsylvania.
General Design of the Day
| Time | Event/Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:10–9:30 | Keynote or Activity Kick-Off (recorded) | Virtual Broadcast |
| 9:30–9:45 | Challenge Announced (recorded) | Virtual Broadcast |
| 9:45–1:30 | Team Design & Collaboration IUs can schedule this block to meet their needs. Lunch should occur during this time—either as a rolling lunch or a formal lunch. |
Locally — in person |
| 1:45–3:00 | Shark Tank–Style Sharing Break out into 5 teams per location/room with judges present. Teams present to four other teams and to the judges. Option: Group judges by grade bands. If you have more than five teams per grade band, you may run a “design-off.”
|
Locally — in person |
| 3:30 | Winners Announced for each grade band (1st, 2nd, 3rd) | Locally — in person |
Hack-a-Thon Rubric
Max 14 total points
| Criterion | Max | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation & Creativity | 8 pts | |
| Is the solution original or a unique improvement of an existing idea? | 4 | |
| Does it creatively address the identified problem? | 4 | |
| Feasibility & Technical Viability | 6 pts | |
| Can the solution realistically be implemented with current technology/resources? | 4 | |
| Could the prototype or concept function as intended? | 2 | |
| Impact & Market Potential | 9 pts | |
| Who benefits from the solution (niche vs. broader appeal)? | 2 | |
| How effectively does it address a real-world need? | 4 | |
| Is there a clear path for scaling or implementation? | 3 | |
| Presentation & Communication | 7 pts | |
| Clarity, organization, and persuasiveness of the pitch; engagement (eye contact, tone, confidence) | 3 | |
| Effective use of visuals/prototype demonstration | 2 | |
| Adherence to time limit (e.g., under 3 minutes) | 2 | |
| Total Points | 30 | 0 |
