Name: Cosmo Hacks
Start: 2026-12-18T16:00:00.000-05:00
End: 2026-12-21T13:00:00.000-05:00
Location: Cosmo Hacks

Main Description

Cosmo Hacks is a free four day online hackathon for high school students ages 13 to 18, taking place from December 18 to December 21, 2026.

This year's theme is Small Problem. Real Impact. The goal is to build something that solves one specific problem for one real group of people. Your project can be an app, website, game, tool, experiment, or something completely different.

Students can compete alone or in teams of up to four. Beginners are welcome, and participants will have access to workshops, mentors, sponsor resources, and support through Discord throughout the event.

Cosmo Hacks has more than $500 in cash prizes and over $150,000 in sponsor benefits, including software credits, API credits, cloud tools, domains, memberships, scholarships, workshops, and other resources.

All times are CST.

Day 1

3:00 PM
Cosmo Hacks officially opens

3:00 PM
Devpost submissions open

After 3:00 PM
Open building time

Day 2

10:00 AM
Opening Ceremony

12:00 PM
Momen Workshop

2:00 PM
Formaloo Workshop

6:00 PM
ProtoFlow Workshop

8:00 PM
Open Workshop

Day 3

10:30 AM
Open Workshop

2:00 PM
Mentor Support

4:00 PM
Open Workshop

6:00 PM
Open Workshop

Day 4

12:00 PM
Submissions close

1:00 PM
Official judging begins

4:00 PM
Closing Ceremony and winners announced

Workshops are expected to last around 30 to 45 minutes.

Requirements

Your project should solve one specific problem for one real group of people. You may build an app, website, game, tool, experiment, or another type of project.

All projects must be submitted through Devpost by 12:00 PM CST on December 21, 2026.

Each submission must include a public GitHub repository containing your project code.

Each submission must also include a two to three minute demo video. The video should explain your idea, how you built it, and how the project works.

Your Devpost submission should explain the problem you are solving, what your project does, the technologies and tools you used, and the members of your team.

AI tools are allowed, but your team must understand the project and be able to explain how AI was used.

Your project must be your team's own work completed during Cosmo Hacks.

Projects will be judged on creativity, functionality, presentation, effort, and workshop participation.