By Amanda Maslin, 29 August, 2025 | 2025 Code Network Hackathon winners: Ruby Kim, Lucas Kim, In Hwa Na, and Seiji Sato.
Over three action-packed days, 85 students across 21 teams turned ideas into code, building digital solutions from scratch and pitching them to a panel of industry judges on the final night of the Code Network’s 2025 Winter Hackathon.
This year’s hackathon embraced a fun retro theme, 'Re-imagining the Future,' setting the stage for three days of creativity, collaboration, and rapid problem-solving.
The winning team created Future Scope, an AI-powered goal planner web app designed to guide users from idea to execution. By asking a few simple questions about a person’s goal, prior knowledge, and available time, Future Scope generates a personalised roadmap complete with estimated timelines, skill requirements, and learning tips.
‘Our motivation came from a common challenge we all face,’ said one of the winning members, In Hwa Na.
‘With so many online resources, people often feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Whether it’s learning AI, preparing for med school, or building a side project, there’s a gap between wanting to achieve something and knowing how to start. We wanted to close that gap by designing a tool that simplifies planning and keeps people motivated.’
‘What stood out to me about the winning team’s app was the way it seamlessly incorporated the Hackathon’s retro theme,’ said Dr Alan Woodley, senior lecturer in the School of Computer Science.
‘The technology revolution of the 1980s was not only driven by technical innovation but also by the rise of graphical user interfaces, which were far easier to use than the previous command-line interface. This shift enabled a broader range of people to engage with computers—a trend that continues today with PCs, tablets, and smartphones. The team Future Scope captured this spirit perfectly, showcasing how cutting-edge technology can be harnessed to help all of us to solve a complex need.’
Why should students join a hackathon
Joining a hackathon isn’t just about coding. It’s a chance to learn, connect, and show what you can do in the real world. Hackathons are a fantastic opportunity to:
- Work in a team and sharpen your problem-solving skills
- Boost your coding by building real projects under pressure
- Turn big ideas into working solutions you can be proud of
- Meet new people and grow your tech network
- Gain experience that makes you stand out to future employers
Preparing for a hackathon
QUT’s Bachelor of Information Technology sets students up perfectly for the challenge of a hackathon. From their very first semester, students focus on hands-on programming, and by the end of the degree, they’re applying their skills to real-world industry projects. This combination of coding and collaboration gives them the tools they need to create practical software solutions for real challenges.
When students step into a hackathon, they’re drawing directly on these experiences. The coding units provide a solid foundation in writing high-quality code, while exposure to a range of technologies means they can confidently design a solution architecture.
Just as importantly, group assignments teach the value of teamwork and communication. That experience pays off during the Hackathon, where setting clear expectations early and keeping the focus on enjoying the process are key to building something great together.
