Frequently Asked Questions

LaserHacks is open to all currently enrolled students at Irvine Valley College. Students from partner community colleges may also participate — check the current rules for details.

Absolutely not! LaserHacks is designed to be beginner-friendly. We run introductory workshops at the start of the event, and mentors are available throughout to help teams of all skill levels.

No! LaserHacks is completely free to attend for registered students. We provide meals, snacks, and swag throughout the event.

No — all projects must be started from scratch at LaserHacks. You can brainstorm ideas in advance and bring design mockups or sketches, but no code or working prototypes before the event starts.

Industry mentors and upperclassmen volunteers are available throughout the event. You can approach any mentor directly or sign up for dedicated mentor sessions during the event.

Teams can be 1 to 4 people. You can form a team before the event or find teammates at our team-formation session at the start of LaserHacks. Solo participation is also welcome.

Your laptop and charger, any hardware you plan to use, and a valid student ID. We'll provide food, drinks, and a comfortable hacking environment.

LaserHacks typically spans a Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. The venue may close overnight depending on the year — check the current event details closer to the date.

Yes — all meals and snacks are provided throughout the event for registered participants. Please indicate any dietary restrictions during registration and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Anything! Web apps, mobile apps, hardware projects, games, design projects, social impact tools — as long as it's something you built at the event. Judges evaluate based on creativity, impact, execution, and presentation.

At the end of the hacking period, teams demo their projects to a panel of judges. Projects are evaluated on creativity, technical difficulty, practical impact, and presentation. Prizes are awarded across multiple categories.

Yes! We award prizes across multiple tracks including Best Overall, Best Beginner Project, Most Creative, Best Social Impact, and more. Prizes include tech gear, gift cards, and opportunities to connect with sponsors.