UNPLUGGEDHackathon

Unplugged is a beginner-friendly hackathon hosted by NNHS Programming Club. Build anything you like with programming, including Scratch, and make something cool!

May 30, 2026

Newton Free Library

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Welcome

What is a hackathon? A hackathon is an event where people come together to build projects in a short amount of time. Unplugged is a beginner friendly hackathon for high school students of all experience levels, hosted by NNHS Programming Club. Whether you are a coding pro or just starting out, there is a place for you here. All you need to do to get started is apply using this Google form.

Schedule

Saturday, May 30th, 2026

Arrive at the Newton Free Library Druker Auditorium at 9:30 AM for the opening ceremony. The hackathon will begin at 10:00 AM. Events and times are subject to change. Plan for a full morning + afternoon of hacking, food, and project presentations.

Opening Ceremony

9:30 AM

Kickoff, welcome announcements, and event overview.

Hackathon Starts

10:00 AM

Teams begin building their projects.

Chess Tournament

11:00 AM

Join our friendly chess tournament on lichess.org!

Lunch

12:00 PM

Lunch and snacks.

SSBU Tournament

1:00 PM

Compete in a friendly Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament!

Hacking Ends

2:30 PM

Final submissions and project prep.

Project Judging

2:45 PM

Projects are reviewed on creativity, originality, and technical complexity.

Closing Ceremony

4:00 PM

Winners announced.

How We Judge

Judging Criteria

After hacking ends, all projects will be judged for these criteria:

Technical Execution

Does the project work? Is the code complex but well-structured? Teams must be able to explain all parts of their code.

Innovation & Creativity

How original is the idea? Was this something brand new and creative, or an existing concept?

Design

Is the project easy to use? Did the team put effort into the visual design and overall user experience?

Presentation

How well did the team communicate their idea? Was the demo clear, concise, and engaging?

Q&A

Judges will ask questions to better understand the project and clear up uncertainties. While not graded, this may impact the four criteria above.

Awards

Prizes

We have prizes for everyone! Thanks to our sponsors, all participants will receive .xyz website domains, Beast Academy playing cards, and one month free Wolfram subscriptions. The top 3 teams will receive special awards:

1st Place 🥇

AoPS Calculus Book ($59.99)
$15 Starbucks Gift Card
$25 Mochiko Hawaiian Gift Card

2nd Place 🥈

AoPS Precalculus Book ($62.00)
$10 Los Amigos Gift Card
$25 Mochiko Hawaiian Gift Card

3rd Place 🥉

AoPS Intermediate Algebra Book ($74)
$25 Mochiko Hawaiian Gift Card

FAQ

Questions Students Ask

Who can participate in the hackathon?

The hackathon is open to all high school and middle school students, regardless of experience level. Whether you are a coding pro or just starting out, we welcome you for a day of creativity and learning.

Do I need experience?

No. Before the hackathon, we will host workshops to help beginners get started in the Newton North Programming Club, which runs every Monday after-school 4:00-5:00 PM.

How much does it cost?

This hackathon is completely free to attend!!

What should I bring to the hackathon?

Bring your laptop, charger, and any materials you think will help you during the hackathon. We will provide food and other resources to support you throughout the day.

Will there be food provided?

Yes. We will provide snacks, pizza, and drinks throughout the day.

Will there be prizes?

Yes. Prizes will be given to the top 3 projects rated based on creativity, originality, and technical complexity.

Participation

Official rules & waiver

Please read both documents before the event. You will be asked to sign the waiver after applying to the hackathon using this Google form or by clicking the button below. If you have any questions, please contact alantaolr@outlook.com.

Team

Meet the Organizers

The people behind Unplugged who made this hackathon possible.

Alan Tao

Lead Organizer

Raymund

Website Developer, Helper

Heona Liu

Marketing, Graphics

Thank you to our sponsors!

If you would like to be a sponsor and support STEM education in our community, please contact alantaolr@outlook.com.