Hack Happy Valley
Hey! Hack Happy Valley is now Hack Pennsylvania—which happened in State College, January 2019. Below is our old site.
24 hours of coding, fun, free food, & prizes.
Hack Happy Valley is a hackathon, a 24-hour coding competition. 50 students from across Central PA will come for the day. You’ll work with a team (or by yourself) to build an app, game, or website. We’ll have free food & drinks, and you can sleep in the middle, or not. In the morning, a group of judges will pick the best projects to demo for everyone and win prizes. You’ll meet people, build something amazing, and have so much fun.
You are welcome here.
We’re open to all high schoolers, but aimed at girls and gender minorities who are new to coding. Organized by a diverse team, we’re serious about creating an all-inclusive space for attendees.
A hackathon for everyone.
Beginner-oriented
Most attendees will be new to coding, so we’ll have workshops and mentors to get you going.
A safe space for all
You’ll be in a friendly, safe environment, with diverse attendees, free of harassment.
Right photo taken by Janet Fang @ Los Altos Hacks
FAQ
Who can participate?
Any current high school student! If you’re under/over that age, send us an email (below) and we’ll see what we can do.
What if I’m new to coding?
Complete beginners are not only welcome, but expected! Learn as you go with our starting workshops and mentors.
How much does it cost?
Nothing, it’s totally free! Registration and attendance are 100% free, with meals and drinks included.
Do I need a team?
Nope! You’ll have an opportunity to meet fellow hackers, and make teams of up to 3—you’ll likely meet new friends! Or you can work alone (though discouraged).
What can I make?
Anything! A website, mobile app, game, hardware, you name it. Submissions will be judged for creativity, technical difficulty, polish, and utility by judges.
What should I bring?
Bring your student ID, a computer, chargers, anything you’ll need for your hack (like hardware), toiletries, and a sleeping bag (if you’ll sleep).
About
We’re driven by a mission.
Technology is by far the fastest growing industry in the U.S. with hundreds of thousands of unfilled jobs and employers desperate for talent—but nearly all of the opportunities are on the coasts. In 2017 alone, there were 30 hackathons for high schoolers in California with thousands of students in attendance. Pennsylvania had none.
Hack Happy Valley will be the first high school hackathon in Central Pennsylvania, bringing technology to the forefront of our community. 50 students of all skill levels will assemble for a weekend of collaboration and innovation, each building apps/websites/games in 24 hours. Then participants and judges will select the winning projects and teams.
Coding is a superpower.
Starting to code has a lasting impact. Once you begin coding, you switch from being a consumer to being a creator. We want to make everyone a creator—it’s a magical transformation. You can solve problems your way, bounded only by your imagination.
We know this because we’re the leaders of the Hack Club at State College Area High School, where hundreds of students have come to write their first code. Now, we want to bring that experience to everyone. This is a hackathon by the students, for the students, and for the future of Pennsylvania.
