Hackathon: Coding for a Better CommunityShare this pageShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin
CODING FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY:
Work with a team to design an application that makes the world a little better!
Our next Hackathon is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Hackathon General Information
If you bring a laptop, an open mindset, creativity, and a lot of enthusiasm, then we'll provide the rest!
Specific topics will be presented by community members the day of the event. Working in a team you'll design, develop, and share your ideas. Professional mentors will be available onsite to help you, as needed. We'll have an exhibit at the end of the day where all teams will showcase their work.
Tentative Schedule for Tuesday, March 17, 2026
- 8:30 am – 9:30 am – Check-in (Main Lobby of TLC Building)
- 9:30 am – 10:15 am – Opening talks
- 10:15 am – 12:15 pm – Coding session
- 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm – Lunch (provided)
- 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Coding session
- 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm – Presentations by teams
- 4:00 pm – 4:20 pm – Quiz Bowl
- 4:20 pm – 4:30 pm – Recognition of outstanding teams
What You Need to Bring
It is recommended that you bring a laptop if you are able. We also recommend that you bring a mouse and a power cord for your laptop. We will have a limited amount of loaner laptops for participants who are not able to bring their own laptop.
Registration Details
Advanced Track
The Advanced Track is designed for high-school students who are confident in building applications independently. Participants must register as a team of 3–4 students before the event. In the Advanced Track, each team decides on the programming language, framework, or platform they want to use to create a software solution that addresses a problem in our community.
Novice Track
The Novice Track is designed for students who are just starting their coding journey, including those with little or no programming experience. In this track, participants will use Scratch, a beginner-friendly visual programming tool, to create a software solution that addresses a problem in our community. Mentors will be available to support students. Participants don’t need to form a team before the event.
Hackathon FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hackathon?
A Hackathon is an event where teams of students design and implement software within a very short time-frame.
The participants do not need to have mastered technical skills, like programming, before the hackathon. They can learn from each other and from mentors at the event.
Who Can Participate?
Teens, aged 13-18 who are currently in middle, junior high, and/or high school can participate.
Do I need to be part of a team?
If you participate in the advanced track, you should team up before the hackathon. A team should consist of 3-4 students. You do not need to team up before the hackathon if you participate in the novice track.
What if I can’t code?
That is not a problem. Register for the novice track and we will get you started. Throughout the entire event, there will be professional mentors to help you code. Every team needs more than programming expertise to excel. Teams must design applications around an issue or topic relevant to our communities (e.g., Poverty or Mental Health) as well as present their applications during the showcase at the end of the event.
How much does it cost to participate?
The registration fee is $10 per participant by check or cash at the event.
Can I implement any application?
At the beginning of the Hackathon, a community leader will introduce the theme for the event. The theme will be an issue in our community that can be tackled through the development of an application. Each team will work with the event mentors to identify an application that addresses some aspect of the theme for the event with the required programming platform.
2025 Hackathon Location TLC Building
2025 Winners Hackathon
Upper Division: Glenn Cavin, Jacob Dunlop, Alric Ivey
Lower Division: Devyn McQuate, Omarian Graham, Stephanie Ogbodo, Dara Bamgbola
Upper Division: Kourtney Wachiuri, Kennedy Nickles, Verity Steinbauer, Liam Jennings
Lower Division: Hailey Gray, Cordelia Garrett, Lilly Tucker
Upper Division: Peyton Lee, Olivia McCauley, Iniam Giwa
Lower Division: Bree Knight, Christina Jiang, Omar DeJesus, Simranjeet Kaur