As a high school student, you could benefit from showing off your computer science skills in a competitive environment. Participating in a hackathon is a great place to start.

What is a hackathon? 

A hackathon is like a marathon, but for developing tech instead of running. It's intensive, usually lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. During the event, individuals or teams collaborate and often compete to create innovative solutions to specific technological challenges or problems. Participants are usually computer programmers, software developers, graphic designers, robotics experts, and other technology enthusiasts. You don't need to know how to code; beginner hackathons welcome complete beginners to technical experts.

Not only do hackathons provide an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical setting, but they also encourage teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking – all great skills to hone in high school. Winning a well known hackathon can bring prestige, but there's also some pretty sweet additional benefits. Many hackathons often involve mentors and industry experts who can offer guidance and support, exposing students to real-world professionals and networking opportunities. Hackathons also offer prizes varying from small gifts to thousands of dollars, as well as Hackathon-themed swag and sponsor perks. For example, you could win smartwatches, amazon gift cards, or Wolfram Alpha subscriptions! 

The pressure to perform within a limited timeframe and deliver a functional product can be both challenging. But with that being said, hackathons offer much more than a space to build and show off your technology-focused skills – they're also geared toward education. In addition to peer-to-peer learning, many beginner-focused hackathons provide workshops and offer seasoned mentors to guide you through the building process. These perks not only set you up for a successful hackathon, but also can meaningfully develop your tech skills. 

What should you look for in a hackathon? 

While trying to decide which hackathon to sign up for, you may want to consider the following: 

1. Should you apply to join an exclusive, curated group of hackers, or do you prefer to simply register and not worry about acceptance?

2. Do you prefer the intensified collaborative and competitive feel of an in-person event, where networking is also more widespread? Or are you more drawn towards a virtual event, where you can hack from the comfort of your own space.

3. Should you opt for an open-ended hackathon, allowing participants to choose their own problems, or a theme-centered one organized around a specific topic like social good or space science?

In choosing these hackathons listed below, we made sure to consider accessibility, both for varying skill-levels, financial feasibility, and geographic location. We also considered the range of themes, or lack thereof, that each hackathon offers. A great website to check out is hackclub.com and Major League Hacking for more hackathons open to high schoolers around the world. 

1. PennApps

PennApps is the oldest and one of the largest student-run hackathons in the world. It welcomes students aged 15 years or older from across the globe. This hackathon puts a strong focus on learning and promoting collaboration between novice and seasoned hackers. Participants work in teams between two-four people, pooling creativity to devise software and hardware solutions tackling real-world challenges across various platforms and applications, including web development, mobile apps, and drones. Whether you're a coding prodigy or just getting started, all programming languages are fair game. The top awards comprise thousands of dollars and fantastic perks from sponsors. (Last year they had over $40k worth of prizes available, including Nintendo Switches and Oculus Rifts.)

One potential drawback of PennApps is the application process. Because this hackathon is prestigious, they have many applicants each year. With limited resources, they have to turn some applicants away. But don't let that discourage you! Above all, they value passion for building and learning rather than experience developing tech. 

Cost: Nothing! They'll provide meals, drinks, snacks, swag, and sleep space. They'll even help cover travel! They also have a special diversity-focused scholarship

Time commitment: One and a half days

Location: University of Pennsylvania

Coding experience required: None

2. Hack3

Hack3 is the world's largest hackathon for high school students across the world. They also offer workshops and a pre-hackathon intro to computer science course for beginners, and boast an impressive set of sponsors, like Amazon and GitHub. You can work alone or as a team, to develop any sort of software project, fitting within flexible tracks or abstract themes (such as Sci-Fi or Water). They offer tens of thousands of dollars worth of prizes, and no specific coding languages are required. This hackathon is a great place to begin your hacking journey, especially if you don't feel ready yet to work among college students and more advanced hackers. 

Cost: Free! Need-based financial assistance is also available to low-income U.S. attendees for internet, living or equipment costs incurred while attending Hack3

Time commitment: 24 hours

Location: Fully online

Coding experience required: None

3. Nasa International Space Apps Challenge

Interested in Earth and space science and exploration? Every October, coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, and technologists worldwide unite in the NASA International Space Apps Challenge. They form in-person and virtual teams, utilizing open-source data from NASA and its Space Agency Partners to tackle challenges ranging in focus from space technology to the arts and humanities. This hackathon is team based, but you must register as an individual. (Team formation occurs after registration is complete.) 

Notably, this hackathon isn't geared towards students, although they are happy to welcome hackers of all ages and experience levels who are eager to engage creatively with our planet and outer space. Participants under 18 years of age must be registered and accompanied by a legal guardian.

Cost: Free

Time commitment: Two days

Location: Online and in-person at various locations all around the world

Coding experience required: None

4. MHacks

MHacks is run by University of Michigan students and is open to all high school students. The hackathon boasts great sponsors, like Google, and is well known for its top tier networking opportunities. You can work alone or in a team to develop a project that usually fits under seven cortices: Web Development, Android, iOS, AI/ML, AR/VR, Game Development, and Hardware. In addition to potentially landing a paid internship, there are myriad awards, like a $400 Amazon gift card, and other cash and physical prizes, worth tens of thousands of dollars.  

Cost: Free

Time commitment: 36 hours

Location: Online

Coding experience required: None! They offer resources including workshops and mentorship to coding beginners.

5. Epoch

Epoch is a hackathon sponsored by Hack Club, a worldwide network of high school hackers. It's located in Delhi, India, but has regional events across the globe. Last year, 175 high school hackers joined in on the fun. During the event, you can make anything from apps, art, website, and hardware projects (although you'll have to bring your own hardware). There will be workshops for beginners both before and during the event. Epoch provides a general air of support and collaboration, offering fun mini-events, cool prizes, and swag! 

Cost: Free, and travel stipends are available to hackers in India and across the world!

Time commitment: 42 hours

Location: In person. Main event in Gurugram, Delhi, India, with satellite events around the world

Coding experience required: None

6. TechXcelerate

If you are interested in creating technology to further the common good, consider taking part in this hackathon. Each year, TechXcelerate presents a theme centered around social good. Within these bounds, you will work in teams of one to four to craft innovative projects related to software and technology, using any coding language you deem necessary – from front-end HTML to back-end C++ and data processing Python. Hardware projects are not eligible for this particular challenge. There are also thousands of dollars worth of prizes and awesome sponsor perks! 

Cost: Free!

Time commitment: A bit longer than the usual hackathon. You have 15 days to complete your project

Location: Fully online

Coding experience required: None, although they don't advertise any courses to get true novices jump-started

7. Cloud Hacks

Looking for an in-person hackathon in Asia? Cloud Hacks could be a solid hackathon for you to participate in. For this hackathon, you'll work in a team or alone to build anything from an app, game, website, or any other tech-related product, using any coding language you want. You're not limited to software, but you'll have to bring your own hardware to the hackathon. You'll get to spend time networking with large tech companies, as they hold mentoring sessions and workshops during the hackathon. There will be prizes and the opportunity to spend half a day at Google's Singapore Headquarters!

Cost: Free! Although participants have to cover their own travel expenses

Time commitment: Two days

Location: In-person in Singapore

Coding experience required: None. Beginning workshops will be held at the event, and mentors will be there to help!

8. Hack the North 

Hack the North stands as Canada's largest hackathon, attracting 1,000+ high school and college students with diverse skills from across the globe. In just 36 hours, teams experiment and craft exceptional software or hardware projects from scratch, empowered by abundant resources, including workshops, world-class mentors, and available hardware. The hackathon also boasts a list of impressive sponsors, such as Jane Street and IBM. You will work in teams of up to four, without any bounds on coding languages. 

Cost: Free! They also have a fund to help cover travel expenses

Time commitment: 36 hours

Location: In-person at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada

Coding experience required: None 

9. Hack United 2023

United Hacks is the flagship hackathon by Hack United, a non-profit inspiring and educating the next generation of innovators. The goal of the hackathon is to provide a semi-competitive event, promoting inclusivity and creativity. Workshops will be offered for participants of all experience levels, whether newcomers or seasoned programmers. The hackathon's theme is Mental Health, but projects for a general track are also welcome. Any coding language is allowed,and you can work alone or in a team of up to four. Exciting prizes await, along with awesome networking opportunities with industry professionals. 

Cost: Completely free

Time commitment: Two days

Location: Fully online

Coding experience required: None

10. HackNYU

HackNYU is a 48-hour world-wide hackathon hosted by NYU students. Participants have the opportunity to build their dream projects, attend informative talks, receive guidance from mentors, and compete for prizes. The general theme of this hackathon is social good. This year, the event featured four tracks for hacking: Health & Well-Being, Sustainability, Education, and Financial Empowerment. High school students over 16 years of age and invited to apply with parent or guardian permission. 

Cost: Free! Although no travel reimbursement is possible

Time commitment: 48 Hours

Location: New York University's Brooklyn Campus in New York City

Coding experience required: None, a large number of hackers each year are first timers

If you are looking to get started on your computer science and artificial intelligence journey, consider applying to the Veritas AI programs. We have had over 1000 students learn AI with us in the past and worked on projects across areas! You can apply here!

If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn data science and AI with us. You can apply here!