Hack For the World is a 12-hour hackathon for high-schoolers. Students from across the Chicagoland area will come for the weekend, teaming up (or going solo) to build an app, game, or website. We’ll provide free meals & drinks. In the evening, judges will pick the best projects to demo for everyone and win prizes. There'll be raffles and giveaways throughout the event as well! You’ll meet people, create amazing new things, & most importantly, have fun.

This year's theme is based on the UN global goals. Students will pick a goal and build their project around that specific goal. We want to encourage students to make a difference in the world. The UN global goals are a set of 17 goals established by world leaders for a better world by 2030. These goals have the power to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change. Guided by the goals, it is now up to all of us: governments, businesses, civil society and the general public to work together to build a better future for everyone.

Eligibility

Any current student grades 9–12 may participate. You must have registered prior to the event via our website in order to submit projects and be considered for prizes. 

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$3,000 in prizes

First Place

First choice of items from the prizes (Raspberry Pi, gaming mouse, power bank, wireless charger, mechanical keyboard, Google home mini, Bluetooth speaker, Raspberry 2GB Pi Model B, Amazong Echo Dot (3rd Gen), 10000mAh portable battery bank)

Second Place

Second choice of items from the prizes (Raspberry Pi, gaming mouse, power bank, wireless charger, mechanical keyboard, Google home mini, Bluetooth speaker, Raspberry 2GB Pi Model B, Amazong Echo Dot (3rd Gen), 10000mAh portable battery bank)

Third Place

Third choice of items from the prizes (Raspberry Pi, gaming mouse, power bank, wireless charger, mechanical keyboard, Google home mini, Bluetooth speaker, Raspberry 2GB Pi Model B, Amazong Echo Dot (3rd Gen), 10000mAh portable battery bank)

Best Design

Fourth choice of items from the prizes (Raspberry Pi, gaming mouse, power bank, wireless charger, mechanical keyboard, Google home mini, Bluetooth speaker, Raspberry 2GB Pi Model B, Amazong Echo Dot (3rd Gen), 10000mAh portable battery bank)

Beginner's Award

Fifth choice of items from the prizes (Raspberry Pi, gaming mouse, power bank, wireless charger, mechanical keyboard, Google home mini, Bluetooth speaker, Raspberry 2GB Pi Model B, Amazong Echo Dot (3rd Gen), 10000mAh portable battery bank)

Judges Award

Sixth choice of items from the prizes (Raspberry Pi, gaming mouse, power bank, wireless charger, mechanical keyboard, Google home mini, Bluetooth speaker, Raspberry 2GB Pi Model B, Amazong Echo Dot (3rd Gen), 10000mAh portable battery bank)

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Derek Miller

Derek Miller
Naperville North High School

Gracelyn Sizemore

Gracelyn Sizemore
Dealer Inspire

Stephanie Byrne

Stephanie Byrne
Dealer Inspire

Ben Myatt

Ben Myatt
Dealer Inspire

Julie Brown

Julie Brown
McDonald's Corporation

Phillip Skentelbery

Phillip Skentelbery

Gracelyn Sizemore

Gracelyn Sizemore
Dealer Inspire

Stephanie Byrne

Stephanie Byrne
Dealer Inspire

Ben Myatt

Ben Myatt
Dealer Inspire

Julie Brown

Julie Brown
McDonald's Corporation

Justin Montgomery

Justin Montgomery
NVISIA

Rob Miroballi

Rob Miroballi
NVISIA

Matt Mariutto

Matt Mariutto
NVISIA

Savina Imrhan

Savina Imrhan
NVISIA

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity
    Is this project unique in idea or approach to address a problem? Does the project use technology in an innovative way?
  • Impact
    Does the project effectively address a need from the Global Goals? Is this project adaptable for actual implementation/more users in the future?
  • Functionality
    Is the submitted project functional? How many of the functionalities work?
  • Design
    Is the user interface intuitive, user friendly, and engaging?
  • Complexity
    Is the implementation of the project more than just an API with a good UI? Does the technology used to code the project have a level of complexity?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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