In December 2018, members of FIRST Robotics Team 4939: Allspark9 hosted the first annual SPARK Hackathon at the McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton, Ontario. Planned in a record-breaking 3 months, the event engaged 150 hackers in a challenge to improve Space Exploration. The 24-hour event included keynote speakers, fun activities, and a night-long grind to create a pitch for a panel of experienced judges. Attendees also had the chance to win prizes forĀ “Best Hack” and “Best Pitch”! The success of the SPARK Hackathon was a key factor in Team 4939’s recognition at the FIRST Ontario Provincial Competition, where the team received the Engineering Inspiration Award!