Students Pack Laptops—and Sleeping Bags—for DS+X Hackathon at BU
On October 25 & 26, students, mentors, and organizers from across Boston University and beyond are packed more than just laptops—they brought sleeping bags, pillows, and toothbrushes, ready for 30 hours of nonstop innovation.
The two-day, overnight DS+X Hackathon was hosted at the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences and organized by the Duan Family Spark! Initiative (Spark!) in collaboration with the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences (CDS), and BU IS&T. With 175 student hackers, two dozen industry mentors and judges, and over $5,000 in prizes and internship opportunities, the inaugural event brought together BU’s brightest minds to explore what happens when data science meets everything else—from health to climate, art, and public policy.
“The DS+X Hackathon is about allowing students to connect their passion for data science to their other passions while building skills in a fun and low-stress setting,” said Ziba Cranmer, Director of BU Spark! “By giving students the space, mentorship, and tools to explore the ‘X’—whether that’s BU data, art, or policy—we’re helping them build the creative and technical confidence to make meaningful change.”
Over 30 caffeine-fueled hours, student teams ideated, prototyped, and pitched innovative solutions that merge data-driven thinking with pressing global challenges. The hackathon’s format encouraged bold experimentation and fast collaboration, and yes, an overnight stay in BU’s iconic 19-story Duan Center for CDS building.
“There’s something special about spending the night in the CDS building,” said Cranmer. “You can feel the energy—students coding, sketching, debating ideas, watching the sunrise over the Charles. This will be a uniquely BU experience that captures what the Duan Center was built for: collaboration, creativity, and community.”
Leveling Up: Skills, Mentorship, and Real-World Insight
At DS+X, students honed both technical and professional skills—from coding and data visualization to teamwork and rapid problem-solving. Working alongside industry mentors, they gained hands-on experience and real-world insight that strengthen their resumes, build confidence, and prepare them for internships and data-driven careers.
Mentors not only guided technical development but also help students think strategically—offering career advice, shared insider perspectives from industry, and helped teams translate their creative ideas into viable, real-world solutions.
“Hackathons like DS+X embody the spirit of experiential learning,” said Azer Bestavros, Associate Provost for Computing & Data Sciences. “They bring together mentorship, creativity, and collaboration—giving students a chance to turn ideas into impact and to see what’s possible when data science meets imagination.”
Open to All Experience Levels
No coding experience? No problem. The DS+X Hackathon welcomed all experience levels, from first-time hackers to seasoned competitors. There was a dedicated beginner track for newcomers, complete with mentors and hands-on workshops to help students learn the ropes. Non-technical students—those with backgrounds in design, art, policy, or any of the X disciplines—were also encouraged to join and bring fresh perspectives to technical challenges.
Choose Your Track, Find Your Challenge
Participants selected from a range of DS+X options—such as Data Science, which includes AI, + Finance, + Health, + Art, + Public Policy, + Climate, and more—each offering unique challenges, mentorship, and prizes. Over two days, students “hacked” together creative solutions like apps, chatbots, interactive dashboards, IoT devices, games, ML models, AI agents, and other cutting-edge prototypes that push the boundaries of data science. This hackathon emphasized not just the technical side of hacking, but also the process, ethics, and responsibility—core principles for data scientists shaping the future.
Mentorship That Fuels Innovation
Mentorship is a defining feature of the DS+X experience. This year’s mentors hailed from leading organizations, including Red Hat, Microsoft, Fidelity, BU IS&T, BU Libraries, DataDog, Mass General Hospital, and others. They guided teams through the creative process, share industry insights, and help students turn ambitious ideas into polished projects ready for presentation.
“There’s something magical about what happens when students immerse themselves in this kind of creative intensity,” said Cranmer. “They’re not just building projects—they’re building confidence, connections, and the mindset to tackle complex problems through collaboration and experimentation.”
With collaboration spaces buzzing, whiteboards filled with code and sketches, the DS+X Hackathon was one of BU’s most exciting events of the year—proving that when you mix data science with creativity, the possibilities are endless.