Hacky Racers (Hackathon making RC Rovers and Puppets concluding in race)

Hacky Racers is a series of Hackathon-style events that blend puppetry, animatronics, and semi-autonomous rovers. Hacky Racers is for young people aged 12-18 years old.

The programme will consist of :

• One-day of intensive workshops,
• Three x 1.5-hour online evening sessions, exploring 3D model making and the design of semi-autonomous RC rovers.
• The initiative will culminate in a one-day public race event showcasing participants’ creations.

Hacky Racers was made possible by a third-round micro-commission.

Kick off the Hacky Racers challenge! Teams will form, race rules will be shared, and the building begins.

Across three immersive sessions, you’ll design, code, and create your own unique racing machine:

1️⃣ Build Your RC Car

Assemble your RC Car chassis and learn the basics of wiring (materials provided).

2️⃣ Level Up – Semi-Autonomous Rovers

Upgrade your RC with sensors and microcontrollers to enable self-driving capabilities and smart navigation (using Scratch or Python).

3️⃣ Create Interactive Puppets & Models

Bring creativity to life! Using cardboard, LEGO, or 3D printing, design and animate your model with servos and sensors to add personality and motion.

Join evening online meetups to collaborate with your team, refine your design, code your microcontrollers, troubleshoot sensor setups, and perfect your project before race day.

18:00 Monday 24th (1.5 hours ) :- Online RC Build

18:00 Wednesday 26th (1.5 hours) :- Automate builds

18:00 Friday 28th (1.5 hours) :- 3D modeling puppets

It’s showtime! Test your creation in front of a live audience and compete for prizes in three categories:

RC Race Winner – fastest car on the track

Semi-Autonomous Race Winner – smartest self-navigating rover

Best in Show – most creative or beautifully designed project

• Main Workshop: 22 November 2025 – London Design & Engineering UTC, 15 University Way, London E16 2RD
• Online Sessions: 24, 26 & 27 November 2025 (Evenings, 2 hours each) Links shared on at the event Kick Off.
• Final Race & Showcase: 29 November 2025 – London Design & Engineering UTC, 15 University Way, London E16 2RD

Open to young people aged 12–18 from Newham and Beckton. No prior experience needed — just bring your curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm for making things move!

Learn hands-on skills in electronics, robotics, coding, and 3D design

• Build teamwork, problem-solving, and creative confidence
• Showcase your creation in a live public event
• Meet inspiring mentors and innovators in STEM and the arts

A collaboration between Catch22 and CoCreate+, supported by University of the Arts London (UAL) & London Design & Engineering (LDE) UTC.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

London Design and Engineering UTC, 15 University Way, London, United Kingdom

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