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🚀 Moonshot FAQ

What is Moonshot? 🌙

Please note, day-of logistics, such as schedules or suggested packing lists, are subject to change. We will provide more specific instructions to participants closer to the event.

You and 100 Hack Clubbers will fly to Orlando, Florida, December 12–15.

Hack by day, then head out on unforgettable excursions:

  • A trip to Universal Studios
  • Visit Kennedy Space Center and Potentially watch a rocket launch

Channels 📢

#moonshot → just meet people and talk about everything!

#moonshot-help → if you have questions (please read the FAQ first!)

#moonshot-bulletin → for news and updates

💫 RULES 💫
📍 WHAT COUNTS AND TRACKING SYSTEM+
There is no specific theme required, just remember to follow the approval requirements. You can work with:

• Software → Track time with Hackatime (if you have problems setting it up, ask for help in the Slack channel #hackatime-v2)
• Hardware → Track time with journaling system
• Art → Track time with any method you prefer.
NOTE: You can work on art for up to 10% of your total hours (e.g., out of 75 project hours, only 7.5 can be labeled as art).
📍 JOURNALING SYSTEM+
(temporary method until the Launchpad release)

• Take photos/screenshots of your improvements
• Record quick update videos
• Write a brief description of the changes

Please do this for each new feature (ideally around every hour of work), put everything in your Github commits.
📍 APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS+
• 75+ hours correctly tracked
• Github opensource repository, with frequent and detailed commits (for each new feature, ideally around every 30min-1h of work)
• No fraud, double-dipping or other broken rules
📍 RULES+
✅ AI (only as support)
❌ Double-dipping with other programs
❌ FRAUD

Don't cheat the time tracking system. No bots, no fake key presses, no UI manipulation. If you do, you'll be banned from Hackatime and other participating YSWS / events / programs
❓ FAQ SECTION ❓
In person
Is airfare covered as part of the 75 hours I need to work to attend?+
No. Travel stipends will be available within the Moonshop at a minimum rate of $10/hr. Your airfare must be covered by yourself personally, or alternatively thru earning stipends.
Is the flight stipend covered?+
You can redeem your flight stipend in the Moonshop using your hours (coming soon...)
How do I get invited?+
Log your hours, work on your project for 75 hours and ship it on Launchpad
shop and hours
When will the shop close?+
December 12th at 11 PM
Can I work on multiple projects to earn stardust?+
Of course!
If I’m working on both software and hardware, do I need to submit two separate projects?+
No, just log your hours under the same project using the appropriate tool (software → Hackatime, hardware/art → journaling).
Can I collab with my friends and make a single project?+
Yes BUT:
1. You can work on the same repo but in different forks
2. your hours will be obv counted separately
Can I ship a private (or partially private) project?+
No, your project MUST be open source, otherwise hours will not be counted.
Can I work in already started projects?+
It's fine if you work on a project that has been associated w/ another program or already started - you can continue it - but we will only take hours from the beginning of the moonshot announcement. We HIGHLY suggest to create a new Github repository, it's not mandatory, but it will increase your chances of being approved, and will make the process much faster.
other
Who Can Participate?+
Anyone between the ages of 13 and 18 (included) can participate in Moonshot!
What if I complete Launchpad but can't attend Moonshot?+
You will be able to redeem the hours you spent making projects in a shop for fun, neat prizes!
Is Participation Free?+
Yes! Participation is entirely free, but only if you complete Launchpad. Without shipping your projects on Launchpad, you won't be able to join Moonshot.
How Do I Register?+
Signup here!
📍 STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?+
Ask directly in the HC Slack channel #moonshot-help or email [email protected]