TECH CORPS Hackathon Puts Ohio Students at the Center of AI’s Future
As artificial intelligence reshapes the world, TECH CORPS is making sure Ohio high school students have a voice in what comes next.
Artificial intelligence is changing how we learn, work, and connect. But as conversations about AI continue to grow, one important perspective is often missing: the young people whose futures will be shaped by it.
That’s the message TECH CORPS Chief Executive Officer Lisa M. Chambers brought to New Day Cleveland, where she joined Michael McGill, a board member of SIM Cleveland, to discuss the upcoming 2026 TECH CORPS Hackathon and the importance of giving students opportunities to explore emerging technologies firsthand.
Now in its eighth year, the TECH CORPS Hackathon will bring together more than 300 high school students from across Ohio for a one-day experience that combines creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and technology exploration.
This year’s focus? Artificial intelligence—and the role students can play in shaping its future.
Why Student Voices Matter in the Future of Artificial Intelligence
AI is already part of students’ everyday lives. From finding information to completing schoolwork and exploring creative ideas, young people are encountering technology that is evolving faster than ever.
But knowing how to use AI is only part of the equation.
At TECH CORPS, we believe students should also understand how AI works, recognize its limitations, and develop their own perspectives about when and how it should be used.
During the New Day Cleveland interview, Chambers emphasized that while conversations about artificial intelligence in K–12 education are happening everywhere, high school students are not always included in those discussions.
The 2026 TECH CORPS Hackathon is designed to help change that.
Rather than simply introducing students to new technology, the event challenges them to consider the opportunities AI creates, the questions it raises, and the role human judgment should play in an increasingly AI-powered world.
Because students shouldn’t just prepare for a future shaped by technology. They should have a voice in shaping that future.
More Than a Technology Competition: Building Skills for What’s Next
What makes the TECH CORPS Hackathon special isn’t just the technology students explore. It’s what they discover about themselves along the way.
Throughout the one-day challenge, students will meet new people, collaborate with teammates, develop original ideas, and pitch their perspectives to a panel of judges.
Along the way, they’ll strengthen skills that matter in school, future careers, and everyday life:
- Critical thinking: Evaluating information, questioning assumptions, and considering different perspectives.
- Collaboration: Working with new teammates to develop ideas and solve problems.
- Creativity: Approaching challenges with fresh thinking and original solutions.
- Communication: Learning to express ideas clearly and confidently.
- Problem-solving: Exploring complex questions and developing thoughtful responses.
And students don’t need to be technology experts to participate.
No previous coding or AI experience is required. Students don’t even need to arrive with a team. The Hackathon welcomes high school students with different interests, backgrounds, and experience levels.
All they need is curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try something new.
For some students, the experience may spark an interest in a technology career. For others, it may reveal strengths in leadership, communication, or creative problem-solving they didn’t know they had.
Both outcomes matter.
SIM Cleveland Helps Create Opportunities for Northeast Ohio Students
Creating meaningful technology learning experiences takes more than a great idea. It takes community partners who recognize the importance of investing in young people.
During the television segment, Michael McGill shared why SIM Cleveland continues to support TECH CORPS programs and the opportunities they create for students.
As technology transforms industries and workplaces, students need opportunities to explore emerging tools while developing the human skills that make innovation possible.
SIM Cleveland, part of the Society for Information Management, supports the growth and development of the next generation of technology professionals in Northeast Ohio.
Its support of the TECH CORPS Hackathon reflects a shared commitment to helping students discover new interests, build confidence, and see possibilities for their future.
Partnerships like this help connect education with real-world opportunities while showing students that their ideas, talents, and perspectives have value.
Ohio High School Students: Your Ideas Belong in the Conversation
The 2026 TECH CORPS Hackathon will bring students together in Cleveland, Dayton, Elyria, and Columbus to explore a technology that is already shaping their world.
At each event, students will work together to examine AI’s possibilities and challenges, create something original, and share their point of view with industry judges.
And there’s an added incentive: each member of the first-place team will receive a $200 gift card, while runners-up will receive $50 gift cards.
But the greatest reward may be what students take away from the experience.
New connections. New skills. Greater confidence. And a stronger understanding of what they’re capable of accomplishing.
That’s the opportunity TECH CORPS has worked to create for more than 30 years through hands-on, career-connected technology learning experiences.
The technologies may change, but our commitment remains the same: helping young people build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for what’s next.
Join the 2026 TECH CORPS Hackathon
The 2026 TECH CORPS Hackathon takes place on November 7 and 14, bringing high school students together across Ohio for an exciting day of exploration, teamwork, and innovation.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Cleveland – Cuyahoga Community College, Eastern Campus
- Elyria – Lorain County Community College
- Dayton – Central State University-Dayton
Saturday, November 14, 2026
- Columbus – Columbus Africentric Early College PreK-12
No coding or AI experience is needed. Meals and snacks are included.
Whether you’re a student ready to explore something new, a parent looking for a meaningful learning opportunity, or a community member who wants to support the next generation, there’s a place for you in this experience.
AI is changing the world. Students should have a voice in what comes next.
Ready to make your voice heard?
The 2026 TECH CORPS Hackathon is sponsored by The Franklin County Board of Commissioners Economic Engagement & Community Development, Nordson Corporation Foundation, The City of Columbus City Council, Google, SciTech, SIM CLEVELAND, Cuyahoga Community College, Telus Digital, and Honda.
Register for the 2026 TECH CORPS Hackathon
And to learn more about how TECH CORPS is creating opportunities for young people through technology, visit TECHCORPS.org.
Special thanks to New Day Cleveland for highlighting the 2026 TECH CORPS Hackathon and to SIM Cleveland for supporting opportunities that help Northeast Ohio students explore what’s possible.
Hope to see you at the Hackathon!
There’s still time to get involved in the Hackathon! Student spots and volunteer opportunities are available. Register to participate, sign up to volunteer, or help spread the word so more students can experience what’s possible.
