MIT BeaverWorks BWSI Hackathon

What this program actually is

MIT BeaverWorks BWSI Hackathon is a hackathon run by MIT Lincoln Lab. It's built for 10th–12th grade students who want to work in person alongside MIT Lincoln Lab on Engineering.

The program runs for varies, based out of Cambridge, MA. There's no cost to participate. That covers the program itself — check the official page separately for whether travel, housing, or meals are included.

Who it's for

Programs like this get the strongest applications from students who can point to a specific reason they want this one — not just "any research program" or "any internship."

• Students in 10th–12th grade — check the official page for exact grade cutoffs before applying.
• Priority or eligibility for students in: MA. Some programs still take out-of-state applicants; read the fine print.
• Strongest fit for students already curious about: Engineering. You don't need prior formal experience — curiosity beats credentials.

Typical day-to-day in programs like this

The following describes what participants generally do in hackathons of this shape — not a confirmed schedule for MIT BeaverWorks BWSI Hackathon. Always check the official program page for the actual activities.

• Ship something end-to-end in a very short window — usually 24 to 72 hours.
• Work in a team with people you often haven't met before. Comfort with ambiguity matters more than pre-existing skill.
• Present a working demo to judges. Even not winning is a resume line and a portfolio piece.

How to apply well

Selection is competitive but not unrealistic. A thoughtful application usually beats a decorated one.

• This program lists rolling admissions rather than a single deadline — but "rolling" usually means spots or funding fill over time, so applying earlier is still an advantage. Don't wait for a deadline that may never come.
• Read the official page twice before writing anything. Note the exact prompts and word counts.
• Answer the actual question. Reviewers read hundreds of essays; specificity beats polish.

Cost, funding & logistics

Cost and logistics kill more applications than eligibility does. Sort these out before you get emotionally invested.

• Format: In person in Cambridge, MA.
• Duration: Varies.
• There's no cost to participate. That covers the program itself — check the official page separately for whether travel, housing, or meals are included.
• If travel or housing is required and cost is a concern, email the program directly and ask what aid is available. Programs rarely publish everything they can offer.

After the program

The most valuable thing you leave MIT BeaverWorks BWSI Hackathon with is usually not the credential — it's the two or three people you met and the one concrete thing you made. Keep in touch with your mentors and peers; they're the beginning of a professional network in Engineering.

Add the program to your resume, but also write down (for yourself) what specifically you learned, what you'd do differently, and what question you now want to answer next. That reflection is what turns a summer into a direction.