What is a hackathon? A hackathon is an event where students from all backgrounds — coders, designers, storytellers, analysts, and big thinkers — come together to solve real problems and build creative solutions. Teams collaborate intensely, then pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. It's one of the best ways to learn new skills, meet interesting people, and actually build something in a single day.
What is THIS hackathon? This is a day-long event for high school students interested in technology, design, and making a difference. This year's theme is Vibes — exploring how AI and emerging technology can help us build new things, connect communities, and address real problems in our world. Students will work in diverse teams, participate in workshops led by experts, and pitch their projects to judges at the end of the day. Meals, snacks, and materials are provided.
Who can participate? The event is open to all high school students in Santa Monica and Los Angeles. You don't need to be an expert in anything — curious minds of all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome. Tickets are available on the Tickets page; scholarship tickets are available for those who need them.
When and where is the event? Check the Event Schedule page for the date, times, and location. The event is hosted at Crossroads School's campus in Santa Monica.
But I don't know how to code! That's totally fine — in fact, that's kind of the point. Great teams need lots of different types of people:
Analysts who can identify interesting problems worth solving
Storytellers who can craft a compelling pitch or video
Designers who can imagine beautiful, usable experiences
Engineers who can prototype an idea in code
Workshops will be available throughout the day to help you build skills on the fly, and mentors will be there to support you. The AI tools available today also make it easier than ever to build something real, even without years of coding experience.
What's the deal with AI? Do I need to use it? AI is front and center this year — the theme is Vibes, and we're excited to explore how tools like generative AI, machine learning, and data science can help us create, design, and solve problems in new ways. You're encouraged to use AI tools as part of your project, but there's no single "right" way to do it. What matters is that your team has a clear idea, a working prototype or demo, and a story to tell.
What do I need to bring? Nothing is required. We'll provide meals, snacks, and some hardware/prototyping materials. We strongly recommend bringing a laptop — you'll want one to build and submit your project.
Is there parking? Some free parking is available near the venue. Carpooling, taking the Expo Line, or ride-sharing is always the cooler choice though.
What can I win? Winning is great, but this event is really about learning, building, and connecting with people who think differently than you. That said — yes, prizes! A panel of judges will award teams based on criteria like creativity, technical ambition, feasibility, and impact. Prizes go to each member of the winning teams.
What if I don't have a team? No team? No problem. You can register as an individual and we'll help you find teammates at the start of the event. Some of the best teams are ones that form on the day of.
Is the event free? Check the Tickets page for current pricing. Scholarship tickets are available — no one should be kept away because of cost.
What's the Code of Conduct? This is an inclusive, welcoming event. All participants are expected to treat each other with respect. See the Code of Conduct page for full details.