Hack the TrackLouisville, KentuckySign up for 2026 event

Learnathon Sep 11 · Hackathon Sep 12 · Louisville, KY

HacktheTrack

Kentucky's first high school hackathon. Two days to learn, team up, and build for a more sustainable future.

Chance to win$2,500
Claim your spot 2025 event highlights
Hack the Track 2026Free · Grades 8–12
Genuine Work
750 E. Jefferson St.NuLu · Louisville, KY

Why Hack the Track

Kentucky's next generation doesn't need permission to build.

Hack the Track gives students hands-on experience, real mentors, and a supportive room full of people who want to see their ideas work.

We connect young builders with industry professionals and educators, creating relationships that last well beyond the weekend.

75+
Students registered
3
Tracks
30
Hours
15
Mentors and judges

Hack the Track 2025

Built together.

Last year, more than 75 students spent the weekend turning early ideas into working projects.

See all 2025 highlights
Three Hack the Track students working together on their project
Students presenting their project at Hack the Track 2025
Hack the Track 2025 participants gathered after the event

Choose your track.

This year's theme is sustainability. Choose a real problem, then build something practical, unexpected, or ambitious that helps create a better future.

01

Software

Build an app, website, or digital tool that helps people live more sustainably.

02

Hardware

Prototype a physical device that tackles a real problem in a measurable way.

03

Sustainable fashion

Design, repair, and reimagine what we wear with lower-impact materials and methods.

Judging rubric · 100 points

What makes a standout project?

Here's what judges will look for when you share your work.

Innovation & Creativity

Originality of the idea, approach, or design.

20points

Technical / Design Execution

How well the project is built and functions.

25points

Sustainability & Impact

How meaningfully the project supports a more sustainable future.

25points

Usefulness / Feasibility

Whether the idea is practical and could be developed or used further.

10points

Presentation & Demo

Clarity, quality of demo, communication, and responses to questions.

20points

Make it count.

Build something useful, explain it clearly, and compete for the weekend's top prizes.

First place

$300

Second place

$200

Third place

$100

Mark the calendar

Sep11–122026

Sep 11 LearnathonSep 12 Hackathon
38.2527° N / 85.7384° W

Genuine Work

750 E. Jefferson St.

NuLu · Louisville, Kentucky

Open in maps

Pack light.

  • Your laptop and charger
  • A notebook or scratch paper
  • Any special project materials
  • An idea, or just the urge to make

September 11–12, 2026

Your weekend, mapped out.

Two days at Genuine Work. All times are Eastern.

Friday · September 11

Learnathon

  1. 3:30–4:00 PMDoors open + check-in
  2. 4:00–4:30 PMOpening + event overview
  3. 4:30–5:00 PMBrainstorming
  4. 5:00–6:00 PMHardware Learnathon
  5. 6:00–7:00 PMKMAC Sustainable Fashion Learnathon
  6. 7:00–7:30 PMDinner
  7. 7:30–8:00 PMTeam formation
  8. 8:00–9:50 PMProject planning + hacking
  9. 9:50–10:00 PMClosing announcements
  10. 10:00 PMDoors close

Saturday · September 12

Hackathon

  1. 8:00–8:30 AMDoors open + breakfast
  2. 8:30 AM–12:00 PMHacking
  3. 12:00–12:45 PMLunch
  4. 12:45–3:30 PMHacking
  5. 3:30–4:00 PMFinalize projects + pitch/demo preparation
  6. 4:00 PMProject submissions due
  7. 4:30–6:00 PMJudging
  8. 6:00–6:45 PMAwards ceremony
  9. 7:00 PMHack the Track ends

September 11–12, 2026

Your idea belongs on the track.

Free to attend. Open to grades 8–12. Every experience level welcome.

Sign up for 2026