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Choose Your Constraints, Choose Your Prizes!

RSVP! :3

Constrained is a YSWS where teenagers 13-18 learn to build hardware projects (PCBs, breadboards, schematics) under a set of rotating design constraints (just like in real life!) and get cool prizes just for shipping their projects! There are two phases: four constraints in weeks 1-2, and four completely different ones in weeks 3-4. Each set has two beginner constraints, one intermediate, and one advanced. The higher-tier constraint you choose, the better the prize - and prizes are always themed around your chosen constraint. All you need is a free copy of KiCad and a willingness to learn! No prior experience needed :) Join #constrained on Slack for more info!

BONUS: if you complete at least four out of the eight total constraints, we'll ship you either a Pinecil or Pi Zero 2W with a SD card (your choice!), in addition to all of your other prizes! Also, if you ship all eight constraints , you'll get an Orpheus Plushie AND either 3 months of Discord Nitro or a $25 Steam Gift Card!! All 100% free!
Constraint Tiers
// beginner (2x)
~5 hrs
e.g. must be under 100x100mm and use a TTP223 touch sensor!
// intermediate
~10 hrs
e.g. must feature a lipo, tp4056, and a low battery indicator!
// advanced
20+ hrs
e.g. must be a pcb, use a rp2350 mcu and have debug pads!

FAQ

All this, for free?!

Yes! If it takes place, which we'll notify you of by March 24th, Constrained will be sponsored by Hack Club, so all prizes are sent to you in exchange for making high-quality projects! Beware: if your projects are consistently low-quality, or if you copy off of someone else, you may be banned from participating in Constrained and, possibly, all other YSWS programs!

How is time tracked?

Primarily, time will be tracked through Lapse, Hack Club's screen-recording software. Every minute you spend working on a schematic or looking at datasheets can be tracked and counts towards your project. If you spend at least five (beginner), ten (intermediate), or 20+ (advanced) hours on your project, you qualify for PRIZES!!! If possible, we'll try to use journals as much as we can.

Do I need to be a teenager to participate?

Yes. Hack Club was built so that teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18 can make projects and learn while contributing to society! If you're under 13, you sadly cannot participate in Hack Club programs, and if you're over 18, check out https://pyramid.hackclub.com/!

This is called Constrained. That means I can submit CAD, right?!

You CAN (clay reference?!) use CAD as part of your hardware projects, and at least one of the eight constraints will be revolved around CAD, but your projects MUST include hardware to some degree. This could range from a simple PCB to a complex breadboard project.

Can I submit software?

Similar to CAD, this is unfortunately not a software YSWS (check out Flavortown, though!) That means that you cannot submit software-only Hackatime projects, BUT if your hardware projects involve microcontrollers, you should absolutely spend time coding with them!

What if I've never done hardware before?!

That's perfectly fine. We have TONS of tutorials, and Google (almost) always has your back. You can also always feel free to DM me (@zsharpminor on slack), and I will happily help you with your project!

Can I submit multiple projects for the same constraint?

Yes, but you can only count different constraints towards the 4/8 and 8/8 prizes. You can submit as many projects as you want, but tutorial projects will be limited to one submission per and require you to change at least one thing about your project so that it's different from the tutorial.

I'm still not convinced. Who the heck is Hack Club?!

That's alright, I was too when I first got into Hack Club. Hack Club is the world's largest community of teenage makers, and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 81-2908499). Hack Club is supported by donations from tech companies like GitHub and individuals like Michael Dell, and has hosted some of the largest hackathons for teenagers in the world, ever!

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