Basic Training & HAcK 2025
An Accelerator program for incoming UCLA Engineering Transfer Students
Our program starts off with Basic Training skills-workshops where you will develop your ‘prototyping tool-belt’. Students will be expected to utitlize their Basic Training skills at HAcK, a 36 hour intense hardware and programming competition where teams will design, build, test, and iterate to prepare their prototype for a ‘real-world’ test and judging at the culminating HAcK Competition prototype performance test.
Following the performance test, students will be expected to record a design review presentation and submit it for review from a panel of judges who will score your presentations. Winners will be announced at the HAcK Awards Ceremony which will be hosted on Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 9 – 11 AM on Zoom.
Welcome to Basic Training & HAcK!
Basic Training skills-workshops are where you will develop your ‘prototyping tool-belt’. Sessions will be hosted virtually on Zoom.
Students are expected to attend all sessions. We need students to learn concepts from each session in order to create teams for HAcK. Please email Wes Uehara, wuehara@seas.ucla.edu if you need to miss a session due to an unexpected circumstance, have a conflict with an exam, or UCLA’s New Student Orientation.
Basic Training sessions, recordings, slides, and resources
Welcome & Orientation
Monday, June 23, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Coding Workshop 1: Intro to programming & Python
Instructor: Matthew Lee
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Coding Workshop 2: Introduction to software engineering
Instructor: Jason Wan
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Coding Workshop 3: Introduction to React
Instructor: Matthew Lee
Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Coding Wrap-up Workshop
Instructor: Jason Wan & Matthew Lee
Friday, June 27, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Computer Aided Design (CAD): Introduction to Computer Aided Design using SolidWorks & OnShape
Instructor: Andrew Lemus
Monday, June 30, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Computer Aided Design (CAD) workshop 2: Part modeling, assemblies, and 3D printing
Instructor: Kevin Brown
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Computer Aided Design (CAD) workshop 3: FEA, motion study, and other advanced features
Instructor: Andrew Lemus
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Engineering Design & Fabrication
Instructor: Kevin Brown
Monday, July 7, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Basic Training parts
Students will need parts for the circuits and microcontroller workshops. Domestic students will receive their parts via USPS to the address you provided through your registration form. International students will need to purchase their own supplies. Please see the parts list and schematic below:
Basic Training parts list for circuits & microcontroller workshops
Parts schematic
Circuits workshop 1: Introduction to circuits
Instructor: Jerard Agravante
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Circuits workshop 2: Transient circuits and analysis
Instructor: Kevin Brown
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Circuits workshop 3: Digital circuits
Instructor: Jerard Agravante
Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Microcontrollers workshop 1: Introduction to microcontrollers
Instructor: Brian Tan
Friday, July 11, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Microcontrollers workshop 2: Controlling circuits
Instructor: Brian Tan
Monday, July 14, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
Microcontroller Wrap-up Workshop
Instructor: Brian Tan
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (please check back after the session)
(Optional) Introduction to the UCLA Engineering Makerspace (in-person event)
Instructor: All instructors
Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 9 AM – 1 PM
UCLA Engineering Makerspace (Boelter Hall 1805) – hit the link for driving, parking, and walking directions
We highly-encourage students attending HAcK in-person to attend this training! Session will NOT be recorded.
HAcK is designed to provide incoming UCLA Engineering transfer students with an opportunity to ‘get their hands dirty’ on a technical engineering design project; to use their math, science, and engineering concepts; to gain some professional development; and to have some fun.
HAcKers will receive a crash course on engineering design tools that they will use during HAcK’s technical competition. Through this experience you will learn what it’s like to be an actual engineer, better understand the iterative design process, and develop your engineering mind-set!
How will you deal with hardware issues? How will you work with someone physically located in another city? How will you set benchmarks to ensure you complete a working prototype in time to test and prepare for the real-world prototype performance test? HAcK is designed to challenge you. You will bond with your teammates over these challenges and create some fun memories!
Time Until HAcK 2025
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
HAcK schedule, recordings, slides, and resources
HAcK Orientation, Team Assignments & Training 1 (virtual)
Monday, July 21, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (check back after the session)
HAcK Specialized Training 2 (virtual)
Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (check back after the session)
HAcK Specialized Training 3 (virtual)
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (check back after the session)
HAcK Reveal & Final Training (virtual)
Thursday, July 24, 2025 | 6 – 9 PM
Session slides (check back after the session)
HAcK Day 1 (in-person or remote)
Friday, July 25, 2025
9 AM – 6 PM – Shannon Room
6 PM – 9 PM – UCLA Engineering Makerspace
HAcK Day 2 (in-person or remote)
Thursday, July 26, 2025
9 AM – 9 PM
HAcK Day 3 (in-person or remote)
Sunday, July 27, 2025
9 AM – 7 PM | HAcK Day 3
7 PM – 9 PM | Prototype Real-world Test & Judging
9 PM – 10 PM | Debrief & Clean-up
Design review presentation submission deadline (see guidelines for details)
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | 6PM
HAcK Awards Ceremony (virtual)
Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 9 – 11 AM
HAcK 2025 Theme
This year’s theme will be announced at the HAcK Reveal on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Technical Challenge
Details on the technical challenge will be announced at the HAcK Reveal on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Scoring & Judging
Details will be announced at the HAcK Reveal on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Prototype Performance Testing
Details will be announced at the HAcK Reveal on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Submission guidelines
Details will be announced at the HAcK Reveal on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Parts, supplies & materials
Details will be announced at the HAcK Reveal on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Team Registration & Photo-shoot
By 10 PM on Thursday, July 24, 2025, teams will need to register by submitting the following:
-
-
- Team name
- Team logo – your logo must be 2 x 2 inches max. Canva is a great resource to use. Have fun with this; but, keep in mind that it will be published and shared with judges and donors. Please save your file using your team name_logo. For example – BruinHackers_logo.jpg.
- Team photo – all members must be in the picture along with your team name in the image. Images should be high-resolution (300 dpi) and square (2 x 2 inches). Please save your file using your team name_photo. For example – BruinHackers_photo.jpg.
-
Please submit your team registration & files here.
On Sunday, July 27, 2025, prior to the start of the Prototype performance testing, teams will need have their team photographed with their prototype.
We encourage teams to dress-up as appropriate and to have their teammates who are participating remotely on Zoom (1 teammate per computer) so we can photograph all of you. Mentors will announce the timing and team order during HAcK.
HAcK Prizes
Awards will be made to the top 3 scoring teams at the HAcK Awards Ceremony (hosted on Zoom) on Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 9 – 11 AM. Prizes to be awarded:
1st place prize – HAcK portfolio, $100 UCLA Store gift card, bragging-rights, and an invitation to be a judge at HAcK 2026.
2nd place prize – HAcK portfolio, $75 UCLA Store gift card, and bragging-rights.
3rd place prize – HAcK portfolio, $50 UCLA Store gift card, and bragging-rights.
Prizes can be picked-up at the eTransfer Welcome on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 4 – 6 PM.
Meet your Basic Training & HAcK instructors
Andrew Lemus
Electrical Engineering
Meet Andrew...
Hello! I’m Andrew, and I’m a rising 3rd year Electrical Engineering major from East LA. My main interest lies in the intersection of robotics and healthcare (biomedical devices such as prosthetics). I’m passionate about applying engineering in any way that brings positive change. I’ve been involved with various clubs and projects, namely ASME and IEEE. Most recently, my projects have involved building a small arduino-based gaming device as well as designing and manufacturing a guitar pedal from scratch. Feel free to ask me about these clubs/projects and more. Outside of school, you’ll find me either munching on Bplate, trying to learn a new song on geetar, or riding the metro trying to explore the rest of LA.
I look forward to meeting you all and seeing your creativity in action!
Brian Tan
Electrical Engineering
Transferred from De Anza College
Meet Brian...
Hi! My name is Brian, and I transferred to UCLA in Fall 2024 from De Anza College. Currently, I’m a part of BruinSpace and 3D4E (3D printing). Outside of school, I’ve been really enjoying exploring around LA, especially finding photogenic places and eating delicious food. I’m excited to meet everyone!
Jason Wan
Computer Science
Meet Jason...
Hey everyone, I’m Jason Wan, a junior studying Computer Science at UCLA. My interests are pretty broad—machine learning, full-stack dev, and computer hardware. I’ve done research at UCLA Vision Lab working with models like Stable Diffusion and ControlNet, and built projects ranging from RISC-V CPU architectures to trading bots. I also interned at a venture firm doing web scraping and data analysis, and helped organize HackWithAPro, a hackathon for beginners. Outside of CS, I like fencing, golf, poker, and traveling. Looking forward to meeting everyone at HaCK.
Jerard Agravante
Electrical Engineering
Meet Jerard...
Hii! My name is Jerard Agravante, and I am a rising 4th year majoring in Electrical Engineering. I grew up nearish to UCLA in the Torrance area but currently live in San Diego. I am interested in circuits both digital and analog, signal processing, and communication systems.
Additionally, I have explored machine learning and computer vision as the project lead of IEEE Pocket Racers and worked with FPGAs, digital signal processing, and game creation in IEEE DAV. I am also the President of the Engineering Society at UCLA where we help the School of Engineering as a whole. I am excited to work with all of you and do research this summer.
Outside of academics, I like staying active by running and playing basketball and tennis. Discovering viewing spots with my friends always leads to some fun adventures. I enjoy bingeing on food and a good anime as well. Looking forward to getting to know all of you!
Kevin Brown
Electrical Engineering
Transfer from Moorpark College
Meet Kevin...
Hello! My name is Kevin, and I am a rising 4th year Electrical Engineer at UCLA. I transferred from Moorpark College, CA in Ventura County with interests primarily in biomedical and renewable energy fields, to specialize in electronic circuits and systems designing. I am currently involved in IEEE Micromouse and as a PCB designer for a bionics lab at UCLA. I also eager to earn a lab position with I2BL at UCLA to operate on electrical design for chemical sensor testing of biomonitoring tools. For hobbies, I love to be outdoors such as hiking, gardening, and exploring new places to experience and eat good food. I also like to play guitar and play games. I am excited to be a part of the Basic Training and HAcK mentors team for the ’25 Accelerator Program. I look forward to meeting you all!
Matthew Lee
Computer Science
Transfer from Skyline College
Meet Matthew...
Hi! My name is Matthew, and I’m a first year transfer majoring in Computer Science. I grew up in Daly City, and transferred to UCLA from Skyline College in Fall 2024. Apart from HaCK, I’m participating in an IEEE project and I work as student staff at the Engineering Transfer Center. Some of my hobbies include watching movies, hanging out with friends, and playing pool.
I look forward to meeting you all!
Engineering 1TR – Basic Training & HAcK Registration
For students that received an invitation to participate-only.
To complete your registration, please review and complete the following by Friday, June 20, 2025.
- Fill out and sign your Accelerator Administrative forms (click this link) Your forms include:
- Activities Waiver for all Basic Training & HAcK activities
- Elective Voluntary Activities Waiver for all activities that you participate in connection to your formal Basic Training & HAcK activities
- Publicity Release
- SEASnet User Account Policy
- Save your signed forms, into one .pdf file, using your first name, last name, and the word forms. For example – JoeBruin_forms.pdf.
- Prepare a photo of yourself that is focused on your face. Please make sure the photo is print resolution and edit the photo to be a square 2″ by 2″ image. Save your photos with your FirstnameLastname_foto.jpg. For example – JoeBruin_foto.pdf.
- Complete your registration and upload your files through the Engineering 1 TR Basic Training & HAcK registration form – due asap and no later than Friday, June 20, 2025.
Basic Training & HAcK participants, you will also need to complete and submit the following as soon as possible and no later than Monday, July 7, 2025:
- Complete the UCLA Environment, Health, & Safety (EH&S) Lab Safety Fundamental Concepts online training. This course is required of all UCLA Engineering students who are working in a lab or the UCLA Makerspace. For instructions, please review the following:
- Click this link to access the UCLA EH&S training website, called WORKSAFE
- Log-on using your UCLA LogOn ID or follow the links to get help.
- In the search bar, located in the upper-right corner, type the code LSFC (Lab Safety Fundamental Concepts) and hit the search icon.
- Click the Lab Safety Fundamentals course on the screen and begin the training.
- Complete the course by taking the quiz and save your certificate of completion by hitting the icon to Print your Certificate.
- Complete the UCLA Environment, Health, & Safety (EH&S) Shop Safety online training.
- Click this link to access the UCLA EH&S training website, called WORKSAFE
- Log-on using your UCLA LogOn ID or follow the links to get help.
- In the search bar, located in the upper-right corner, type the words ‘Shop Safety’ and hit the search icon.
- Click the Shop Safety course on the screen and begin the training.
- Complete the course by taking the quiz and save your certificate of completion by hitting the icon to Print your Certificate
Save your files as follows:
- Lab Safety Fundamental Concepts completion certificate as a .pdf with your first name, last name, and the acronym ‘LSFC’. For example – JosieBruin_LSFC.pdf.
- Shop Safety completion certificate as a .pdf with your first name, last name, and the word ‘shop’. For example – JosieBruin_shop.pdf.
Upload your files to the 2025 Basic Training & HAcK – safety training certification submission form.
Please email the eTransfer Center for additional questions or concerns at etransfercenter@hsseas.ucla.edu.