Overview
The STEM2Connect AI Hackathon 2026 is a global, multi-week program for students who want to learn AI by building something real. Organizers describe it as a learning-focused experience rather than a weekend sprint, placing mentorship, learning, and real-world impact ahead of high-pressure competition. The event runs on Devpost and is connected to the wider STEM2Connect community.
Who can participate
The hackathon is open to students aged 13 or older who are currently enrolled in middle school, high school, college, or university, including adult university students. Companies and professional organizations are excluded. Participation is open to all countries and territories, excluding standard exceptions. No coding experience is required.
Format and timeline
Participants work over several weeks, either alone or in teams of up to 6 members, to turn a focused idea into a working project. Live AI sessions cover problem validation, AI tools and APIs, design, and pitching, and every session is recorded. Mentors from industry, research, and engineering help participants scope their ideas, solve technical roadblocks, gather user feedback, and prepare for Demo Day.
The first live session took place on Sunday, October 11, 2026, which is also when eligible project work began. Devpost began accepting submissions on October 17, 2026. Submissions close on November 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST. Demo Day takes place on November 24, 2026, as either a live or prerecorded presentation.
Tracks
Each track is a starting point rather than a limit:
- Education: learning, accessibility, tutoring, and academic organization.
- Healthcare: health education, patient resources, public health, and access.
- Sustainability: climate, resource efficiency, environmental challenges, and living well.
- Scientific Research: tools for analysis, organization, collaboration, and communication.
- Community Impact: accessibility, inclusion, volunteering, and information sharing.
What to build
Participants build a simple, functional project that addresses a real problem in one of the five tracks. The project can be a website, an app, a chatbot, a data tool, or something else. It does not need to be complex, but it must work and solve the problem it sets out to address.
Using AI
AI coding assistants are allowed with disclosure and attribution. Teams should describe which tools they used and what those tools contributed in their README and Devpost description. An AI feature in the working project is strongly recommended but not mandatory for participants who lack API credits. Free options are listed on the Resources section of the event page.
Submission requirements
Submissions are due on November 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST and should include:
- A public GitHub repository with source code and a README that explains the project, how to run it, and which AI tools or APIs were used.
- A demo video of 6 minutes or less, uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo, showing the project in action.
- A Devpost project description covering the problem, the solution, AI use, lessons learned, and next steps.
- One primary track, chosen in the submission form or stated in the project description.
- Confirmation that every team member has joined the submission on Devpost.
Judging criteria
Projects are scored on Problem and Impact, Use of AI, Functionality, Learning and Growth, and Presentation. Each criterion is weighted at 20 percent. Presentation assesses how clearly the team explains its problem, solution, and next steps in the Demo Day presentation and demo video.
Prizes
The event offers three non-cash prizes: 1st Place (Gold), 2nd Place (Silver), and 3rd Place (Bronze). Each winner receives a STEM2Connect certificate of achievement, connections to other AI programs and mentorship opportunities, and a featured spotlight post on STEM2Connect social media. The Gold winner also receives a featured spotlight story. High-performing and committed teams may receive continued mentorship and support to grow their work into research, leadership, or community initiatives.
Getting started
- Register for the hackathon on Devpost. Completing the STEM2Connect registration form is optional but strongly recommended.
- Find teammates through the hackathon Discord server, or build independently.
- Choose a track and a focused problem you can finish.
- Join the live sessions. Discord posts workshop times, joining instructions, recordings, and slides.
- Request mentor support on Discord by sharing your project goal and the question you need help with.
Contact
Questions about registration, mentorship, workshops, recordings, or submissions can be sent to the organizers by email. Event announcements, mentor access, and the full Demo Day program are shared on the STEM2Connect AI Hackathon Discord server.
