About the Challenge

Fix Westside. Build something that matters.

The Westside Build Challenge is a month-long student hackathon where you’ll identify a real problem at Westside High School and build a technology-based solution that could actually make students’ or staff members’ lives better.

This isn’t about building the most complicated app or using the newest technology. It’s about noticing something that could be better at Westside, understanding the people affected, and turning that problem into a working solution.

You can build almost anything: a website, mobile app, tool, dashboard, automation, or another technology project. Your project can help students, teachers, staff, or the broader Westside community.

Think about the problems you encounter every day.

Could something make lunch easier? Help students discover clubs? Improve tutoring? Make campus operations smoother? Help people find lost items? Make school announcements easier to access?

If Westside has a problem, build the solution.

Get Started
  1. Find a problem. Look around Westside and identify something you could genuinely improve.
  2. Talk to people. Understand who experiences the problem and what they actually need.
  3. Design a solution. Sketch out how your project would work.
  4. Build it. Turn your idea into a functional prototype.
  5. Test and improve. Get feedback and improve your project.
  6. Submit and pitch. Show us what you built, why it matters, and how Westside could actually use it.

You don't need to be an expert programmer. Teams can be 1–4 students, and students of all skill levels are encouraged to participate.

Requirements

What to Build

Build a working technology-based solution to a real problem at Westside High School.

Your project should:

  • Address a specific problem or opportunity at Westside.
  • Have a clearly identifiable group of users.
  • Provide a meaningful solution to that problem.
  • Include enough functionality to demonstrate how the solution would work in practice.
  • Be something that could realistically be used or piloted by students, teachers, or staff.

Projects can be web apps, mobile apps, software tools, dashboards, automations, or other technology-based solutions.

Suggested Problem Areas

These aren't restrictions—you can tackle any legitimate Westside problem—but here are some places to start:

Student Life

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Events
  • Lunch
  • Lost and found
  • Student communication
  • Campus navigation
  • Getting help or finding resources

Learning

  • Tutoring
  • Studying
  • Course planning
  • Academic resources
  • Collaboration
  • Connecting students with opportunities

Campus Operations

  • Hall passes
  • Room usage
  • Announcements
  • Facilities
  • School events
  • Administrative workflows

Anything Else

If you see a problem that doesn't fit one of these categories, that's completely fine. The best idea might be something we haven't thought of yet.

What to Submit

Every team must submit the following:

1. Working Project

Provide a link to your deployed project or another way for judges to access a working demonstration.

2. Two-Minute Demo Video

Create a video of no more than two minutes showing your project and explaining:

  • What problem are you solving?
  • Who experiences the problem?
  • How does your solution work?
  • Why does it matter?
3. One-Page Writeup

Your writeup should explain:

  • The Problem — What problem did you identify?
  • Who It Helps — Who is affected by the problem?
  • The Solution — What did you build?
  • How It Works — What are the key features?
  • Westside Adoption — What would Westside need to do to actually use your project?
4. Source Code

Provide a link to your project's source code so judges can review the implementation.

Important: Do not use real student personal information or other sensitive school data in your project. Use fictional or sample data for demonstrations.

Prizes

4 non-cash prizes
3rd place
1 winner

The 3rd-place team receives a 3D-printed plaque recognizing their achievement.

2nd place
1 winner

The 2nd-place team receives a 3D-printed plaque recognizing their achievement.

1st place
1 winner

The 1st-place project will be considered for schoolwide use by Westside students and teachers (2,500+), along with a 3D-printed trophy.

Participant
999 winners

Participants earn a certificate signed by Westside administrators and Hack Club stickers.

Judges

Neha Chippagiri

Neha Chippagiri
Westside High School | Computer Science Teacher

Judging Criteria

  • Realistic to Adopt — 20 points
    Could we actually use this at Westside? Judges will consider: - What would implementation require? - Is the project affordable and practical? - Who would operate or maintain it? - Does it fit into the existing school environment?
  • Technical Execution — 25 points
    How well does the project work? Judges will consider: - Does the core functionality work? - Is the implementation thoughtful and appropriate? - Does the project demonstrate meaningful technical effort? - Can the team explain how their technology works?
  • Impact on Westside — 30 points
    How meaningful is the problem you're solving? Judges will consider: - Is this a real problem? - How many people could it help? - How significant is the problem? - Do you demonstrate that people actually experience it?
  • Design & Ease of Use — 15 points
    How easy is the project to understand and use? Judges will consider: - Is the interface intuitive? - Can a new user figure it out without extensive instruction? - Is the design appropriate for the intended users? - Does the experience feel polished?
  • Pitch — 10 points
    How effectively does the team communicate its idea? Judges will consider: - Is the problem clearly explained? - Is the solution easy to understand? - Does the demo show the project effectively? - Does the team communicate why the project matters?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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