Fox 8 New Day Cleveland
Get ready, Cleveland and Elyria! On Saturday, November 8, 75 high school students will power up their creativity at the 7th Annual TECH CORPS Hackathon—50 at Progressive in Mayfield Village and 25 at Lorain County Community College’s main campus. It’s a full day of coding, problem-solving, and teamwork, where students design apps to take on real-world challenges—and maybe even spark the next big idea in tech!
What’s a Hackathon Like?
Imagine hundreds of high school students teaming up, designing apps to solve community challenges, and presenting their big ideas—all in one exciting day. It’s high energy, hands-on, and totally free for students thanks to our partners like Nordson.
It’s the Seventh Annual Hackathon. How do you keep the technology relevant?
We evolve as the technology evolves. For example, we shifted platforms, tie challenges to current issues and bring in tech industry volunteers and students studying CS to help support the students. Our students are not just learning how to code—they’re discovering how tech can change the world.
Beyond coding, what do students actually walk away with after a day at the Hackathon?
Our students walk away with a variety of durable skills, from working in teams to speaking in public, we know these skills will serve them in the classroom and beyond. We’ve had alumni tell us the Hackathon was the moment they realized they could be innovators—and now they’re thriving in college and careers.
What exactly does Nordson do, and how does the company’s Foundation plug into the community here in Northeast Ohio?
Nordson engineers precision technology used all over the world, and through our Foundation, we’re passionate about giving back right here at home. We focus on education, especially technology, because we want local students to have the skills and opportunities to succeed.
Why is investing in young people—through programs like this Hackathon—so important to Nordson?
We know today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce and community leaders. Supporting TECH CORPS means we’re helping students see themselves in technology careers and giving them the tools to thrive.
What’s that like for both the kids and your team?
It’s amazing—our volunteers coach, mentor, and cheer students on as they build their apps. You can literally see the confidence grow in students throughout the day, and our team leaves just as inspired by the creativity and energy in the room.
Who’s helping make the Hackathon possible this year?
This is a true community effort. We are so grateful to Nordson Corporation Foundation and all of our incredible sponsors, including the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Nordson, The City of Columbus, Google, Progressive, Honda, CoverMyMeds, and WillowTree. Together, we’re making sure every student has the chance to shine in technology.
