Hackathon.
Short, intense build sessions — 24 hours to a weekend — usually free, beginner-friendly, and great for building a portfolio fast.
15 verified programs.
Blueprint by HackMIT
Annual learnathon and hackathon for HS students at MIT.
Hack Club
Free worldwide network of student-run high school coding clubs and hackathons. Travel grants for in-person events.
Hack Club Outernet & Events
Network of student-run coding clubs and hackathons.
HackHarvard
Harvard's flagship hackathon; high schoolers can apply.
HackMIT
Annual 24-hour student hackathon at MIT. Free for accepted students; travel reimbursement available.
HackMIT
Annual 24-hour student hackathon at MIT; many HS students attend HackMIT High School Hackathon (Blueprint).
HackMIT / Blueprint
HackMIT's flagship HS hackathon weekend at MIT.
Major League Hacking (MLH) Digital Events
MLH partners with dozens of online student-led hackathons throughout the year accessible to any student with an internet connection.
Major League Hacking High School Hackathons
Calendar of student hackathons; many high school-friendly.
Major League Hacking Local Hack Day
Free worldwide student hackathons run by MLH. Beginner-friendly tracks.
MIT BeaverWorks BWSI Hackathon
Free open hackathons run by MIT BeaverWorks alongside BWSI summer program.
MLH Local Hack Day
Series of one-day beginner-friendly hackathons run worldwide.
MLH Member Hackathons
A season of student-run hackathons across the world where students build software/hardware.
PennApps
One of the oldest college hackathons; HS-track sometimes available. Travel stipends offered.
PennApps
Premier student hackathon at UPenn; HS applicants accepted on case basis.