AI Hackathon 2026
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Location: Fort Hays State University, Hammond Hall
About the Event
Join us for FHSU's first annual Hackathon! This one-day innovation challenge is open to everyone—university students of all majors, high schoolers, and community members. The best solutions come from diverse perspectives and a range of skillsets. A strong team will write code, sketch out user interfaces, think about how to model and present data, and more. All levels of experience are welcome and can expect to learn from the mentors that will be on site to help guide teams.
Over the course of 8 hours, you will work together to conceptualize and prototype an application in an atmosphere of friendly competition. The vibe should be energetic but not stressful. Food will be served and you can expect plenty of snacks. This is a space to learn, experiment, and build something fun.
AI use is not only allowed it's encouraged!
Team Dynamics
Team Size: 3 to 5 people
Bring a Team: Already have a team? Great! You can register together.
Fly Solo: diverse teams often build the best solutions. If you are registering as an individual, don't worry! We will help match you with other attendees based on complementary skills (e.g., pairing a developer with a subject matter expert).
Schedule
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08:00 AM - Check-in & Opening Ceremony: Listen to our Keynote, meet your team members, grab a badge, and enjoy breakfast.
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08:30 AM - Sprint Begins: Start brainstorming and prototyping. Mentors are available to help refine ideas.
- 12:00 PM - Working Lunch & Network: Enjoy lunch and see what other teams are working on.
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04:30 PM - Demos & Judging: Present your solutions to the judges.
- 05:00 PM - Award Ceremony: Cash prizes for winning teams.
Registration & Eligibility
Who Can Join: This event is open to everyone—students from other universities, high schools, and community members are encouraged to attend. No prior FHSU affiliation is required.
Age Requirements: Participants must be at least 18 years old, or 16 with an accompanying adult.
Register by March 31, 2026.
Judges
TBA
Contact Us
For more information about the AI Sprint or registration, please contact: ai@fhsu.edu