About the challenge

BigThink × World Labs is a one-night hackathon at the University of Maryland's Iribe Center bringing together students to build with spatial AI. Using World Labs' Marble API, you'll prototype ideas at the intersection of computer vision, 3D environments, simulation, and generative worlds — then demo what you built by the end of the night.

Whether you're building a game, a scientific tool, an educational experience, or something entirely new — if it understands space, it belongs here.

Tracks: General · Best World · Best Game · Best Scientific & Engineering Application · Education · Best Video · Best Consumer Product

Team size: 1–4 people

Get started

  • Form a team of 1–4 at the event (or come with one already)
  • Get access to the World Labs Marble API and starter resources

Requirements

What to Build

Build any project that engages with spatial AI, 3D environments, computer vision, simulation, or generative worlds — using the World Labs Marble API. Your project should fit into at least one of the event tracks:

 

  • General — anything that doesn't fit neatly elsewhere
  • Best World — generative or interactive 3D environments
  • Best Game — playable experiences with spatial mechanics
  • Best Scientific & Engineering Application — tools for research, simulation, or engineering
  • Education — spatial or AI-powered learning experiences
  • Best Video — generated or AI-assisted video content
  • Best Consumer Product — something real people would actually use

What to Submit

  • Project name and description — what you built and why
  • Track — which category you're competing in
  • Demo link or video — a live link, screen recording, or short demo video
  • GitHub repo — your code (can be private if needed)

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$1,050 in prizes
General
$150 in cash
1 winner

This track is open-ended and welcomes any type of project, allowing participants to explore ideas freely without constraints. It encourages creativity, experimentation, and unique concepts that may not fit into a specific category while still demonstrating strong execution.

Best World
$150 in cash
1 winner

This track focuses on building immersive and visually compelling environments that feel cohesive and engaging. Projects should emphasize spatial consistency, atmosphere, and design, creating worlds that users can explore and experience in a meaningful way.

Best Game
$150 in cash
1 winner

This track highlights interactive experiences that incorporate gameplay mechanics, objectives, or challenges. Projects should prioritize user engagement, responsiveness, and clarity, delivering a complete and enjoyable experience that users can actively participate in.

Best Scientific & Engineering Application
$150 in cash
1 winner

This track centers on practical applications that use spatial computing to model, simulate, or analyze real-world systems. Projects should demonstrate technical depth and relevance, showing how world-based approaches can support scientific discovery or engineering solutions.

Education
$150 in cash
1 winner

This track is dedicated to projects that enhance learning through interactive and spatial experiences. Submissions should focus on clarity, accessibility, and engagement, helping users better understand concepts by exploring them within a structured environment.

Best Video
$150 in cash
1 winner

This track emphasizes presentation and storytelling through video, showcasing a project’s idea, design, and experience. Projects should focus on clarity, creativity, and visual impact, effectively communicating the value of the work in a compelling format.

Best Consumer Product
$150 in cash
1 winner

This track highlights projects with real-world usability and product potential, focusing on intuitive design and clear value. Submissions should demonstrate how the idea could translate into a practical tool or experience that users would adopt in everyday contexts.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Anusha Sharma

Anusha Sharma
BigThink AI

Saksham Kapoor

Saksham Kapoor
BigThink AI

Ian Curtis

Ian Curtis
World Labs

Judging Criteria

  • Spatial Impact
    Does this project fundamentally rely on 3D spatial understanding? - Feel native to 3D or world models - Solve a real or compelling problem - Demonstrate clear spatial reasoning or interaction
  • Innovation & Marble Usage
    How creatively and effectively is Marble used? - Thoughtful integration of Marble - Strong demonstration of spatial coherence or world modeling - Novel or differentiated use of generative 3D capabilities
  • Execution & Demo Quality
    How well was the idea brought to life? - A functional or clearly working prototype - A coherent and understandable demo - A polished presentation

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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