STEMergent Hacks 2026

The STEMergent Ideathon & Hackathon challenges students to use technology to solve real problems in their schools, communities, and beyond.
Participants can choose between two pathways depending on their experience level:
Ideathon Pathway
- Design a creative, realistic technology solution without needing to fully build it. Focus on identifying an important problem, explaining your solution, and showing what it could look like through slides, mockups, or a prototype.
Hackathon Pathway
-Turn an idea into a functional project. Build a website, app, tool, or prototype that addresses a meaningful problem affecting students, schools, nonprofits, or communities.
Whether this is your first competition or you've participated in hackathons before, there's a pathway for you.

Requirements
What to Build
Build a project that uses
STEM and technology to address a meaningful real-world problem
affecting students, schools, nonprofits, communities, or another group with a clear need.
You may participate through either pathway:
Ideathon Pathway:
Develop an innovative idea, solution, or concept. A working prototype is not required.
Hackathon Pathway:
Build a working prototype, application, device, or other tangible solution that demonstrates your proposed solution.
Your project should demonstrate
creativity, thoughtful problem-solving, and potential impact
. Projects do not need to be highly technically complex to be competitive.
What to Submit
Submit your project through the designated competition platform before the announced deadline. Your submission should include:
Project Title
Project Description:
Explain the problem you are addressing, your solution, and how it works.
Pathway:
Indicate whether you are submitting under the Ideathon or Hackathon Pathway.
Team Details:
List all members of your team.
Screenshots, GIFs, or Other Visuals:
Show your project or proposed solution where applicable.
Demo Video:
Recommended for Hackathon submissions and may be required if specified by the organizers.
Code or Prototype Link:
Include a link to your code, live application, prototype, or other relevant materials where applicable.
AI & Third-Party Resources:
Disclose significant use of AI tools, APIs, datasets, libraries, or other third-party resources when requested.
All submissions must contain
meaningful work created by the participants for this competition
. Existing projects may be used as inspiration or a starting point, but simply submitting a previously completed project is not permitted.

Judging Criteria
Ideathon Pathway
Innovation & Originality
Technical Execution
Impact & Relevance
Functionality & User Experience
Presentation & Communication
Rubric Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cmRbWq3jlj3nLa2MTbhlozbeKXQLtuQI/view?usp=sharing
Hackathon Pathway
Innovation & Originality
Problem Definition
Impact & Relevance
Feasibility & Scalability
Presentation & Communication
Rubric Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10ENz08GsGkolkwP-DSQ9P3BU31lIW8H8/view?usp=sharing