HackBAC 2026 Opportunities

Host School: The Nueva School

Dates: March 16 (virtual) / March 20-22 (in-person)

Location: San Mateo, CA

HackBAC does not provide shuttles or other forms of transportation to Nueva. The San Mateo campus is easily accessible by Caltrain and other public transportation systems. Please refer to Google Maps or the Caltrain website for details. Uber and Lyft are also widely available in the area.

If you will be joining us from out of town, we recommend considering the following hotels for your accommodations, all of which are within a 15-minute drive to and from campus. There are many other hotels in the area, and we encourage you to please do additional web research for other hotel options.

Suggested Lodging Options:

Embassy Suites by Hilton San Francisco Airport Waterfront

HackBAC (West Coast) Learn more

Host School: Montclair Kimberley Academy

Dates: April 6 (virtual) / April 10-12 (in-person)

Location: Montclair, NJ

HackBAC does not provide shuttles or other forms of transportation to MKA. The MKA Upper School Campus is easily accessible by Uber and Lyft.

If you will be joining us from out of town, we recommend considering the following hotels for your accommodations, all of which are within a 10-15 minute drive to and from campus. There are many other hotels in the area, and we encourage you to please do additional web research for other hotel options.

Suggested Lodging Options:

Cambria Hotel West Orange

HackBAC (East Coast) Learn more

Intended Audience:

In the wake of summer 2020’'s racial reckoning, HackBAC was intentionally created as an affinity space for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) 8th-12th grade highly motivated students. As society continues to evolve, it’s even more crucial that we include allies in this work.

HackBAC is open to students of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds who have demonstrated interest in advancing the work of social justice.

FAQ

The theme for HackBAC 2026 at the Nueva School is Visionaries: Forging Tomorrow's World Today. Participants will focus on the pursuit of positive social impact. Due to our interconnectedness and rapid change globally, the need for innovative and sustainable solutions to pressing societal issues is more imperative than ever. HackBAC (West Coast) will take place at Nueva School in San Mateo, CA, between March 20-22, 2026.

The theme for HackBAC 2026 at the The Montclair Kimberley Academy is Civic Catalysts: Cultivating Justice & Designing an Equitable Future for All. Participants will focus on the pursuit of positive social impact within the criminal justice system. Due to our interconnectedness and rapid change globally, the need for innovative and sustainable solutions to pressing societal issues is more imperative than ever. HackBAC (East Coast) will take place at Montclair Kimberley Academy in Montclair, NJ between April 10-12, 2026.

Consider the multifaceted challenges that persist in society—from environmental sustainability and technological ethics to diversity, equity, and mental well- being. If you had the resources, time, and support, how would you innovate for positive social change?

People of color experience a disproportionate share of exposure to environmental and societal issues. This year, participants are encouraged to think about their age-group peers and collaborate with other passionate students to develop innovative solutions that address critical social, political, or environmental challenges. Leverage technology and creativity to build a more equitable and sustainable future for all! Students will focus on issues involved with food security, health and wellness, access to education, climate and sustainability, gender equality and inclusion, as well as accessibility.

HackBAC 2026 offers students the chance to collectively think, solve, and propose solutions to environmental issues around living, energy, water, food, business, and well-being. HackBAC 2026 aims to help student teams create solutions and develop their ideas by providing extensive mentor support and advice in the areas of coding, CAD, robotics, and AI. Developers, designers, product experts, and those passionate about sustainability are also invited to participate in HackBAC 2026 as mentors. Student participants from grades 8-12 are invited to offer a fresh and creative perspective on societal issues and develop new responses through the lens of social justice to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for everyone.

Themes

Previous Tracks

Tracks are specific topic areas under the larger organizing themes of the event. Teams will focus on working together to narrow their problem statements and identify the specific populations who experience them, eventually leading to targeted solutions.

While participants sign up within a track, there is no intention that the tracks act as silos. Do not feel that the designation of a track is meant to constrain your creativity! You should use the track prompts and essential questions below to help guide and inspire your ideas.

- How might we use technology to create more inclusive learning experiences for students with diverse learning needs, such as visual or auditory impairments, dyslexia, or ADHD?
- How can we design learning environments that are both physically and sensory accessible to all students, including those with mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, or chronic illnesses?
- How can we empower students with disabilities to advocate for their own learning needs and access the accommodations and support they require to succeed?
- How do the youth partner with their school and community leaders to make their neighborhoods sustainable?
- How can we use technology to promote sustainable practices, reduce our carbon footprint, and conserve resources in our daily lives?
- What are the factors and consequences of climate change impact communities and their long-term effects?
- How can we design innovative and sustainable food-growing systems in urban spaces to make healthy food more accessible to underserved communities?
- What role can schools and youth leaders play in reducing food waste and ensuring that surplus food supports local families in need?
- How can we inspire students and families to make healthier eating choices through education, school programs, and community engagement?
- How can we create programs or tools that help students from all backgrounds feel included, learn healthy ways to handle stress, and find joy and support at school?
- What are some fun or creative ways to help teens build healthy habits, like eating better, staying active, sleeping well, or spending time with friends?
- Why do some people or communities have a harder time getting help for their health, and how can we make it easier for everyone to get the support they need?
- What can schools do to ensure equal access and elevation of BIPOC Girls high school sports equipment, facilities, and coaching for students?
- How do we empower women of color to work and grow in STEM fields?
- How can we incorporate diverse voices and perspectives from BIPOC LGBTQ+ in independent schools?
- How has your current educational experience, including the use of technology and Generative AI, empowered you to learn and succeed, and what aspects hinder your ability to reach your full potential?
- How can we create an ideal, meaningful, student-centered educational experience that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning while effectively combining technology and human creativity?
- How can we empower learners to take ownership of their education while ensuring teachers provide the right balance of guidance and support?

Genius Talk /Opening: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm (Virtual)
Virtual opening sessions allow for FAMily time (aka community building) and an opportunity to hear from a keynote speaker/content expert related to the theme.
Day 1: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (In-Person)
Day 1 focuses on what design thinking is, team building, and idea creation.
Day 2: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (In-Person)
Day 2 focuses on ideation, building a pitch presentation, delegation of tasks. Groups are often visited by past mentors and are given an opportunity to share their ideas to the directors and other constituents.
Day 3: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (In-Person)
Day 3 allows for final presentation edits and preparation for the pitch presentations.
• HackBAC SwagPAC
• Ability to win up to $1,000 in entrepreneurship credits — additional credits available to be used as seed money post-hackathon
• 6 total opportunities to engage with the HackBAC community throughout the school year!
• Assistance with prototyping your idea, no matter if your team placed or not; with 3 post hackathon gatherings to move idea from pitch to prototype
• Exposure and ability to network with high-level executives and experts
• Placement with a dynamic mentor that guides your team
• Meals each day (Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks)
• Opportunities to create national and international networks of like-minded students
General Admission: $599
Early Bird: $499
Chaperones: $249 each
Note: We are charging one flat fee for each participating school, plus the cost of chaperones. Due to the continued generosity of our donors, we are able to provide a few discretionary partial scholarships to reduce the cost of participation.
If the cost of the event prevents student participation, please have the Faculty Advisor contact the HackBAC planning team at hackbac@saes.org
Monetary prizes (entrepreneurship credits) will be awarded for ideas presented by groups and chosen by a panel of experts at the conclusion of the hackathon. Ultimately, teams will be competing to win up to $1,000 in entrepreneurship credits for their venture.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in the event year round:
• 2 meetings with mentors prior to the event
• The 3-day hackathon
• 3 follow-up meetings to help students move from pitch to prototype