BoilerMake is a hackathon that brings over 500 hackers from across the country under one roof for one incredible weekend. Since 2013, our team's mission has been to drive a culture of dedication to creativity, achievement, and innovation. We seek to empower every hacker with the tools to build anything that they can imagine, and we find happiness in knowing that hackers will walk out of our doors with memories that will last a lifetime.

This year, 30 undergraduate students from Purdue University have come together to host an unforgettable hackathon. All the work that has gone into planning this event - setting up the venue, organizing activities and catering, sending annoying emails - was accomplished by somebody just like you.

If you love hackathons and are interested in getting involved, come talk to us at BoilerMake! We’ll be looking for new people to help us throw another successful hackathon in 2021.

If you have any questions, feel free to hit us up at [email protected].

As always, hack on.

History

Hackers around a table at BoilerMake I

BoilerMake I: February 8-10th, 2014

The first BoilerMake started as a group of students involved with Purdue Hackers created BoilerMake as an organization under the Undergraduate Student Board. The goal was to get students involved and throw a hackathon where everyone could come together and create. It was created to be a great way for students to interact informally with companies and proving their technical skills through development. There were around 400 attendees from 18 schools and about 30 companies all within the same space of Purdue’s gym.

BoilerMake II: Oct 17-19th, 2014

BM II was the year of the BoilerMake Badges - custom Arduino boards for hackers to have fun with. Our venue changed to the Lambert Fieldhouse to accommodate the 500 hackers. We kept this number as the maximum to ensure that all the hackers and sponsors could fit into the same large room to interact and develop in.

Hackers hard at work at BoilerMake II
The lambert field house as the hacking space for BoilerMake III

BoilerMake III: Oct 16-18th, 2015

BM III was once again located in Lambert Fieldhouse. This year, we provided arcade games, bean bags, and opportunities for hackers to enjoy their full hackathon experience. We also provided a diverse hardware lab for students to experiment and build with a variety of technologies.

BoilerMake IV: January 20-22nd, 2017

BM IV followed a space adventure theme as hackers became astronauts traveling through the stars. This event was once again held in the Cordova Recreational Sports Center among the basketball courts. 500 students came together once again to create under space themed decorations, arcade games, interactive lego boards.

The Co-Rec full of hackers during BoilerMake IV
The Co-Rec full of hackers during BoilerMake V

BoilerMake V: September 20-22nd, 2017

BM V came back to the Cordova Recreational Sports Center for another 36 hours of unadulterated hacking. With more yoga, coffee, and neon light than ever before, students put together projects with the help of mentors and friends alike to exhibit to everyone at BoilerMake.

BoilerMake VI: October 19-21nd, 2018

BM VI was held in Hicks Undergraduate Library, where hackers could set up camp in rooms for uninterrupted hacking or hang out at our sponsor lounges. Doughnut and shaved ice trucks, emotional support dogs, and tech talks from Facebook and Purdue entrepreneurs brought smiles to hackers' faces.

Hicks hackers during BoilerMake VI
The Co-Rec full of hackers during BoilerMake VII

BoilerMake VII: January 24-26th, 2020

BM VII was held once again in three gyms within Purdue’s Corec. Our hackathon this year divided up the hacking workspace into 6 separate zones, following our theme of Hack Your Own Adventure. We also provided air mattresses and lounge areas to maximize the comfort of our hackers throughout the 36 hours. Of course, BM VII wasn’t complete with out late night assorted cookies and boba!