PiHacks 2026

Pioneer High School Hackathon

code • create • compete

Online · April 1 – May 1, 2026

About PiHacks

PiHacks 2026 is an online hackathon for Pioneer High School students only. The competition runs from April 1st through May 1st. Whether you have years of experience or have never written a line of code, you belong here—build at your own pace, learn as you go, and compete for cash prizes. Judging is online.

Register to secure your spot and help us plan. Teams can have up to four people; larger teams (3–4) are scored on a harsher scale.

Competition Tracks

We leave you to choose your own adventure. However, we have some tracks we recommend you consider.

🤖

AI / ML

Models, assistants, computer vision—if it learns or predicts, it fits here.

🎮

Gaming

Games of any kind: web, desktop, mobile, or experimental—make something fun to play.

🤝

Social Good

Projects that help your school, community, or a cause you care about.

🛠️

Developer Tool

CLIs, libraries, productivity apps, or anything that makes other developers’ lives easier.

Event Schedule

Apr 1

Competition opens

Start working on your project.

Apr 10

Competition check-in (required, in person)

Current participants must attend this check-in on campus.

Apr 15

Mystery track release

The mystery track prize category is announced—plan accordingly.

Apr 20

Last day for non-solo teams to join

Solo participants can still register after this date.

Apr 25

Project topic/track submissions due; last day for solos to join

All participants must submit their project topics, track selection, and name. Solo entrants: this is your last day to enter.

May 1

Final submissions · 8:00 PM EST

Submissions are due at 8:00 PM Eastern — no exceptions.

May 5

Public voting starts

Voting opens. Required for all participants to remain eligible for prizes.

May 10

Public voting ends

Voting closes.

May 20

Prizes released

Winners and payouts are announced.

Prizes

🏆 Best Overall Project

$100

🔧 Best Hardware Project

$50

❓ Mystery Track

$50 — Track revealed midway through the competition (April 15)

Important Information

🎓 Who can join

Open to Pioneer High School students only. Beginners and experienced coders are all welcome.

👥 Teams

Up to four people per team. Projects from 3–4 person teams are weighted on a harsher scale than smaller teams.

🌐 Format & judging

This is an online hackathon; judging is online. The April 10 check-in is the required in-person milestone for participants.

📋 Participation

Public voting (May 5–10) is required for prize eligibility. Final submission deadline: May 1 at 8:00 PM EST, no exceptions.