Learn, Connect, Innovate
In-Person, University of Waterloo E7, June 9th - 11th, 2023
Why get involved in JAMHacks 7?
Waterloo’s largest high school hackathon is back fully in-person! 200 high school students all over Ontario will gather for a weekend of learning and creating.
During this upcoming 36-hour innovation marathon, you’ll work in teams of up to 4 to create an app, game, website, robot, gadget, or whatever else your heart desires. At the end of the event, you can pitch your project to a panel of judges and win prizes!
- $15,000 in prizes
- Workshops, activities, games
- Meet other hackers, industry experts, and more!
Mentor upcoming talent
Are you in university, or do you have experience in the tech industry? Do you want to make an impact on our high school hackers? We're looking for mentors and judges to answer our hackers' questions, help bring their ideas into reality, and witness the products of their hard work.
Sponsor the next generation
Want to make a lasting impression on our future innovators, coders, and entrepreneurs? Consider sponsoring JAMHacks! By doing so, you can connect with our hackers, gain exposure among those interested in tech, and even seek out potential recruits!
View our prospectus Contact us! -->Our Commitment?
All Hackers Welcome
Hackers of all skill levels are welcome (even if you’ve never coded before)! JAMHacks is also a learnathon — there will be beginner-friendly workshops and mentors to guide you through brainstorming, coding, troubleshooting, and pitching for your project. We even have a Best Beginner Hack prize!
If you’re experienced, consider JAMHacks an opportunity to learn about advanced CompSci topics and start your next passion project, while competing for cool prizes!
Our Sponsors
Our Partners
Have a question?
Frequently Asked Questions
Check here for commonly asked questions!
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is an event where students gather to create a tech-based project. After the allocated “hacking time” is up, you’ll pitch your project to potentially win prizes. Along the way, you can participate in workshops with learning opportunities and fun activities! This is a great opportunity to learn more about cutting-edge tech and related industries.
Who can participate?
We welcome all high school students to sign up! If you are not in our target age range, we welcome you to participate as a mentor or a judge.
Is it free? Will food be provided?
Yes, there is no fee to attend JAMHacks. Food will be provided! Thanks to our sponsors, all your meals this weekend will be provided at no cost.
Can I sleep there?
Yes, you will be able to stay at the venue for the entire 36 hours. Make sure to bring all your necessities for the weekend and a sleeping bag!
What should my project be about?
Your project can be about anything you can dream of — as long as it involves technology in some manner.
How many people are in a team?
Teams of up to four are allowed to participate in the event. Teams will not be assigned and can be formed before the event or during it. You will have time to find teams at the venue or on the Discord at your own pace!
How will we communicate during the event?
Discord will be used for announcements, as well as to connect hackers with mentors and other hackers. A schedule will be posted and communicated closer to the date. Event and activity updates will be posted on our Instagram, so be sure to follow us on social media for updates!
How does judging work? Do I have to submit a project?
You will pitch your project for judges, do a live demo and answer questions. A recorded pitch video is required for your Devpost submission. Our judging criteria emphasizes creativity, and we highly recommend submitting a project for the hackathon experience. However, it is not mandatory; we value learning more than the result.
What if I don’t know how to code?
At JAMHacks, learning is just as important as building and creating. There are live workshops for new skills, and our mentors will be happy to help in any aspect. Hackathons also aren’t all about coding, so find a team and be in charge of business or design instead!
Have a question not listed here?
Feel free to email us at [email protected] or send us a direct message on Instagram @jamhacks.
Where is the event?
Venue
University of Waterloo
Engineering 7
200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G5
Keep up with us!
Latest Updates
Updated Schedule
Continue Reading --> Hacker Registration Open!
Apply! --> Mentor Registration Open!
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