SVC Hackathon: Environmental Conservation

NoteThis is an in-person event. Those interested in serving as judges or mentors must be able to attend in person and remain for the duration of the event.OverviewTheSkagit Valley College 2026 Hackathonis a one-day innovation event focused on developing computer-based solutions that support local environmental conservation and sustainability. Coders and non-coders alike are invited to collaborate, brainstorm, and create ideas that address real-world challenges impacting our communities and our planet.Participants will work to develop solutions and supporting materials that demonstrate their impact and feasibility. For computer programmers, this may involve writing code for part of a functioning system. For others, it may include designing a concept, conducting research, or applying other skills to further develop and showcase the solution. The goal is to transform ideas into meaningful environmental impact. Interdisciplinary collaboration is highly encouraged.Throughout the event, students will work closely with their teams, receive mentorship, and present their projects to judges. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit the nearbyMount Vernon School District Tech Fest, gaining additional exposure to the tech industry and inspiration to further refine and expand their solutions.What's IncludedAll registered participants will receive aSWAG bagto kick off the day.Free meals and refreshmentswill be provided throughout the event, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as snacks and drinks available all day.Opportunity to visit theMVSD Tech Fest from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, offering additional exposure to industry professionals and technology.General InformationDate:Saturday, May 2nd, 2026Start Time:8:00 AM,End Time:TBD (Estimated 5-6PM)Location:Skagit Valley College, Lewis HallPriority Registration DeadlineApril 15th, 2026ThemeEnvironmental Conservation and SustainabilitySubcategories:To Be Determined (TBD)Projects should focus on protecting natural resources, addressing climate challenges, or promoting sustainable practices. All innovative, theme-aligned ideas are welcome with organizer approval.Judging OverviewWhile every project should propose a technology-based solution, teams are welcome to build using eithercode or no-code tools—whichever best aligns with their skills.Projects will be judged on overall idea strength, quality of execution, and real-world feasibility, with separate criteria and winner categories for each track.In evaluating these areas, judges will consider how clearly the project addresses theidentified problem, the potentialimpactof the solution, thepracticalityof implementing the idea beyond the competition setting, and the degree to which the solution engages or benefits its intended community. Technical depth (where applicable), thoughtful design choices, presentation quality, innovation, and originality may also factor into final evaluations.A detailed scoring rubric is currently in development and will be provided separately prior to final judging.