BAY HACKS 2026 & Q3 PITCH SHOWCASE

 BAY HACKS 2026

Bay Hacks is a 24-hour collegiate hackathon hosted by Tampa Bay Innovation, bringing students from across Florida to USF to build, compete for prizes, and pitch to a panel of judges. Every skill level is welcome, from first-time hackers to students who have shipped before. Teams can form at the event.

When: September 18 to 20, 2026
Where: USF Hall of Flags, Tampa
Cost: Free to attend
Who: Currently enrolled undergraduates, and high school students 16 and up with parental consent. Teams up to 4.

Tracks include Med Tech, Hardware, AI, a UX University data-mapping challenge, and sponsored API tracks from ElevenLabs and Render.

Register and submit on Devpost: https://bayhacks-2026.devpost.com/
RSVP on Luma: https://luma.com/91gmqv6q

A note for CISE students: this is a strong fit for anyone in the program looking to build something real over a weekend, add a project to their portfolio, and connect with local companies and other student developers.

ALSO: Q3 PITCH SHOWCASE (a couple of days before)

Separately, we're hosting our Q3 Pitch Showcase two days earlier, a live event for entrepreneurs, inventors, and startups. Founders pitch their ideas to judges and compete for a free provisional patent application from Menlo Park Patents. Students can attend to watch and network, or apply to pitch their own idea.

When: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Where: House of Members (HoM), 512 N Franklin St Ste 200, Tampa, FL 33602
Cost: Free
Details and registration: https://luma.com/45vficej

SASE GBM1 next Tuesday, September 1st at 6:30PM!

 

Success Drop workshop is next Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 4:05-4:55 pm (CSE365 & Zoom).

 

Prepare for that interview! UF Career Workshops Drop

 Virtual Resume Workshop  | (https://ufl.zoom.us/j/93519085266)

·                     Aug. 31 | 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

·                     This event is co-hosted by the Tau Sigma Honor Society- OPEN to ALL UF Students!

 

 

Virtual Technical Résumé Review Event

• September 1 | 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
• Virtual event featuring three employers providing technical résumé feedback

 

Electrical & Computer Engineer Career Readiness Kickoff

• September 2 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Malachowsky Hall

 

Engineering Résumé Workshops (Snacks Provided!)

• September 8 | 11:45 AM - 12:35 PM
• September 9 | 11:45 AM - 12:35 PM
• September 10 | 12:50 PM - 1:40 PM
• WERT Building Lobby

These workshops are co-hosted by the HWCOE Center for Experiential Learning, HWCOE First-Year Advising, and the Engineering Peer Advisors.

 

5-Minute STEM Speed Networking (All welcome to learn about STEM related careers)

·                     September 9

·                     Partnership with UFTeach Minor

 

How to Get a CS Internship Panel & CISE Résumé Review Workshop

• September 10 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
• Career Connections Center
• In collaboration with Computer Science student organizations

 

Prepare for Career Showcase Workshops (Virtual) ALL students/ ALL majors

• September 8 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• September 14 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

 

Additional Career Planning Opportunities (all majors welcome)

·                     September 9 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM – Drop-In Career Planning at the Reitz Union with employers present 

• September 10 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM – Virtual Drop-In Career Planning
• September 11 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM – Drop-In Career Planning at the Reitz Union with employers present

 

​​Additional STEM Events

·                     September 2 - FBK STEM Networking Night- Reitz Union 5-7 pm

·                     September 3 – CISE Fair Volunteer Meeting

• September 3 – Chemical Engineering Networking Night- Chem E Student Center 5:30-7:30 pm

• September 4 – Virtual Chemical Engineering Fair

·                     Sept 14 | 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM- CISE & AI Fair 

• Sept 16 | 9:00 - 11:30 - MSE & NE Fair

• Sept 16 | 12:30 - 3:00 PM - ABE Fair

Peer-led Study Groups and Volunteer Mentors Needed – Student-led Academic Peer Study (SLAPS)

My name is Laura Cumper, and I am the Outreach Director for the Student-Led Academic Peer Study (SLAPS) program here on campus. This is a community-driven resource that we provide to all students in STEM-related classes for extra support and guidance. Students can go to these sessions to complete targeted extra content that is curated by student mentors who have previously taken the class. Mentor-led study sessions can provide new perspectives and explanations to concepts that differ from professors’ explanations but may click with students, making this resource invaluable to student success. Below is the list of classes we are currently aiming to provide:

• Introduction to Chemistry
• Chemistry 1 and 2
• Organic Chemistry 1 and 2
• Calculus 1, 2, and 3
• Physics 1 and 2
• Biology 1 and 2
• Differential Equations
• Statistics
• Biochemistry
• Engineering Mechanics: Statics

SLAPS is currently recruiting students interested in leading study sessions in their chosen classes in an “Academic Mentor” position. Volunteering as an academic mentor for SLAPS is a great way to earn low-commitment service hours, leadership experience, and a resume-booster. Mentors are expected to lead study topics and answer mentee questions, while closely following class syllabi to review class content and help mentees succeed. The schedule follows 1-2 hour weekly study sessions that are flexibly scheduled around a mentor’s desired commitment and availability. The responsibilities of this role include planning, organizing, and executing activities with mentees. This role is a great opportunity to show employers organizational, communication, and academic skills that go beyond the classroom. The academic mentor application is due this Sunday, August 30th at 11:59 PM. 

Here is our linktree for anyone interested in attending, both as a student or a mentor. In addition, our posters for the program are attached to this email. Thank you!

https://linktr.ee/UFSLAPS

Florida Undergraduate Law Review Interest Meeting Opportunity

The Florida Undergraduate Law Review (FULR) is the nation’s leading undergraduate legal journal and the first to ever be featured on Amazon! We provide a platform for engineeringstudents across the country to explore the intersection of law, technology, and innovation, with members from Harvard, Brown, Georgetown, the University of Chicago, NYU, and more. 🎓

Our award-winning academic journal offers a distinct opportunity for undergrads to publish on topics ranging from cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to intellectual property, all while developing valuable research skills. 🤖 🔍

FULR also hosts exclusive guest speaker events. Our past speakers have included Billboard’s Top Music Lawyer James Sammataro 🎶, rapper Young Thug's lawyer Brian Steel 🌟, and Derek Bambauer, a leading scholar on AI regulation and internet law. 💻

Interested in joining? **[Stay tuned for more information about our interest meeting next week OR Come to our Interest Meeting on January 28th at 7:00 PM in Heavener 160]** to learn more about our organization and ways to get involved. 

For more updates and involvement opportunities, follow us on Instagram @floridaulr and join our GroupMe (https://groupme.com/join_group/98055581/AiJjI2bv) See you all soon!

SteeHacks hackathon happening September 19-20

My name is Denys, and I'm a Director for SteelHacks, the University of Pittsburgh's premier student-run hackathon happening September 19-20.  We'd love to have more University of Florida students
apply this year! The application takes less than 5 minutes, and we're
also offering travel compensation for students coming from out of
town.

Register: https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsteelhacks.org%2Fapply&data=05%7C02%7Cjessicamccarty%40ufl.edu%7C97875d6122984509928f08df016651d6%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C639231211258248562%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C20000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=SrYUIP1vGUVqhA4bToFA2MUb5rzcjLkA3PMOVDCQgmI%3D&reserved=0 - spots are limited, so apply soon!

ReliaQuest will be at the UF Career Showcase!

 

Welcome back students! Check out some new environmental opportunities.

 

Hello, 

My name is Elle Henson, and I am the coordinator for the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute's Environmental Leaders Network. This is a network for undergraduate and graduate students of all majors here at the University of Florida who have an interest in learning more about, and becoming involved in, environmental research, education, and civic engagement.    

This network provides students with access to a database of resources and opportunities to learn more about environmental topics and career paths. These opportunities can include seminars, workshops, research, internships, volunteering, scholarships, and more. By joining, network members will receive a twice-monthly email with upcoming opportunities and be invited to participate in Network events. 

Interested UF students are invited to fill out the sign up form. The most recent issue of our newsletter can be found below!  

Best,

Elle Henson

TESI Environmental Leaders Network Coordinator

UF WEC Undergraduate

UF Innovation Courses, Certificate, Minor & Industry Projects

Engineering Innovation (EGN 4643/6642) – Seats Available

We currently have seats available in Engineering Innovation (EGN 4643 – Undergraduate / EGN 6642 – Graduate), the required course for both the Engineering Innovation Certificate (undergraduate and graduate) and the Engineering Innovation Minor (undergraduate).

Many of our innovation courses also meet elective requirements for engineering majors, allowing students to make progress toward their degree while earning an additional credential that appears on their official UF transcript.

Students enrolled in UF's combined bachelor's/master's (4+1 or 5-year) programs may take the graduate section (EGN 6642). I can work with these students to ensure the course is appropriately applied toward the certificate or minor when applicable.

We are also happy to consider advanced freshmen and sophomores with a strong interest in innovation. These students may enroll with instructor permission. Advisors or students can simply contact Dr. Melissa White (mm.white@ufl.edu) for approval, and we can assist with the enrollment process.

---

Engineering Innovation Certificate & Minor

The Engineering Innovation Certificate (UG & Grad) requires 9 credit hours:

• Engineering Innovation (required)
• Plus two electives (Engineering Entrepreneurship, Divergent Thinking, Engineering Leadership, Innovating for Space, Innovating for Defense, and Engineering Project Management)

The Engineering Innovation Minor (UG only) requires 15 credit hours, including Engineering Innovation and approved innovation electives.

These programs are a great way for students to differentiate themselves with formal training in innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and leadership while earning an official credential on their UF transcript.

---

Innovating for Space (I4S) – Seats Available

We also have seats available in Innovating for Space:

• EGN 4647 – Undergraduate
• EGN 6665 – Graduate

I4S is open to students from all majors and gives students the opportunity to work on real industry-sponsored projects using design thinking, customer discovery, systems thinking, and innovation methods.

Rather than completing a case study, students work directly on challenges provided by industry partners, gaining valuable project experience that can strengthen internships, co-ops, graduate school applications, and full-time job searches.

Fall 2026 Industry Partners & Projects

• MOOG – Designing reliable mechanical systems capable of surviving the harsh lunar environment, including abrasive lunar dust and extreme temperature cycles.
• Collins Aerospace – Rethinking crew rest for next-generation aircraft by creating innovative solutions that improve crew accommodations without sacrificing valuable cabin space.
• Amazon Leo – Exploring how satellite communications are transforming business aviation and identifying the next generation of connected aircraft technologies.
• Aloft Biotechnologies – Investigating the future of biological research and biomanufacturing in space, including opportunities enabled by commercial space stations and microgravity.

These are real companies, real engineering challenges, and real opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience while building their innovation and problem-solving skills.

If you have students looking to:

• earn an Innovation Certificate or Minor,
• gain interdisciplinary project experience,
• work with industry partners, or
• explore innovation and entrepreneurship,