Registration is now open for the Eighth Annual H₂O Hackathon, a community-supported event that taps into the technological, multimedia, and problem-solving skills of local students to help find solutions to the state’s water issues. Teams compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes, including the CalWater Golden Spigot grand prize. A panel of water experts and community leaders will judge contestant entries. The competition receives support from business, regional water districts, and educational institutions.
The H₂O Hackathon is open to high school and college students competing in two separate divisions in a daylong competition on May 3, 2025, at the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). Individuals and teams can register at h2ohackathon.org. Students in both divisions may compete in either the app-building contest or the multimedia competition.
Water is a precious resource, especially in California, and water conservation is an important step in managing the state’s limited water supply. This year’s “Hack the Tap” theme calls on students to help water users conserve.
Coders in the app-building contest will use the Code.org App Lab or any other coding platform to solve the challenge outlined on the day of the event. In the multimedia challenge, students will develop a strategy to market the winning app or raise awareness to the challenge presented using a combination of digital media, such as videos, podcasts, graphic design, and social media, to create an engaging messaging campaign.
Students will not learn the exact challenge until the morning of the Hackathon and have five hours to complete their projects to meet the challenge.
Competitors have an opportunity to build new skills while applying what they have learned in class to real-world issues facing their communities. No coding experience is necessary to participate in the app competition. The H₂O Hackathon website offers a toolkit that shows how to use the coding platform and includes other information for teachers and students competing in both the app-building and multimedia categories.
Competitors may sign up as a team or as individuals. Individuals who sign up will be assigned to a team. High school teams and individuals must be from San Joaquin County. In the college division, individuals and teams must reside in San Joaquin County or attend San Joaquin Delta College, University of the Pacific, or CodeStack Academy.
The H₂O Hackathon has received financial support over the years from a broad range of partners. The event is organized by the SJCOE’s CodeStack department in partnership with Restore the Delta, A.G. Spanos Companies, iHub San Joaquin, the San Joaquin Partnership, Café Coop, San Joaquin Delta College, and Stockton Unified School District. Information about sponsors can be found at www.h2ohackathon.org/.
The competition is at 8 a.m. on May 3, at the SJCOE Wentworth Education Center, 2707 Transworld Drive, Stockton. Winners will be announced at a public awards ceremony following the competition.
The San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) provides educational leadership, resources, and services to support schools throughout the county. For more information, visit www.sjcoe.org.
The California Innovation Hub program was codified into law in 2013. It is comprised of 15 regional iHubs, including iHub San Joaquin. The mission of iHub San Joaquin is to help people grow ideas. It works to develop new partnerships, stimulate economic development, create new jobs, and nurture entrepreneurship and enterprises dedicated to innovative and emerging technologies. The iHub San Joaquin is dedicated to re-invigorating the region’s economy as a center for sustainable technologies in three areas: healthcare, agribusiness, and sustainable construction technology. For information, visit www.ihubsj.org.
