Are you a high school student passionate about innovation, problem-solving, or public speaking? Do you dream of using your skills to make a real difference in your community while building your resume? If so, Hackmate’s City Design Challenge Hackathon is your perfect opportunity. Hackmate is a student-led, non-profit organization based in the York Region. Through its events, it strives to create a space where young people can turn their creative ideas into tangible solutions that address real-world challenges. The City Design Challenge (CDC) Hackathon will occur virtually on November 2nd and 3rd.
In this article, I’ll share more details about this hackathon and how it can benefit you personally. Whether you’re a STEM enthusiast or someone who loves speaking up and presenting big ideas, this event will give you the tools and platform to shine.
What’s the City Design Challenge?
At its core, the CDC is a virtual hackathon designed to bring together high school students from across the Greater Toronto Area to tackle local issues. Throughout 36 hours, you’ll work to identify a problem within your community and develop an innovative solution. But this event’s beauty is its flexibility in approaching the challenge. You have the option to:
– Prototype a solution: If you’re tech-savvy, this could mean developing an app, designing a website, or even creating a working model to address the problem you’ve identified.
– Create a business proposal: For those more inclined towards business and public speaking, this could involve drafting a well-thought-out plan backed by research showing how your idea could be practically implemented.
The best part? You’ll present your idea to none other than city council members, along with a panel of experienced judges. You can submit your project as a 5-minute video or a live presentation via a virtual meeting platform. The projects will be judged on creativity, feasibility, and potential impact, and the best ideas will win prizes from a $1600+ prize pool.
What Inspired the City Design Challenge?
What inspired Hackmate was the realization that young people often lack opportunities to voice their opinions on matters affecting their communities. Ideas related to policy changes or ways to improve the city usually go unheard. For this reason, Hackmate creates opportunities for youth to present their ideas to people in positions of power, such as city councillors, to inspire meaningful change. The CDC is designed to give the youth a voice, and this event will offer our judges the chance to hear fresh ideas, which they can then share with the rest of the city council. Ultimately, this will allow young people to become stakeholders in their community as the next generation of change-makers.
How Participating Helps You
Now, let’s dive into how the CDC can help you grow.
1. Build Real-World Problem-Solving Skills
One of the best aspects of this hackathon is the focus on solving real-world problems. Rather than working on hypothetical scenarios, you’ll be tasked with identifying a genuine issue within the GTA. This could be anything from environmental challenges to transportation inefficiencies or social issues affecting local communities. The skills you gain in identifying a problem, researching potential solutions, and designing or proposing solutions are directly transferable to future job opportunities or entrepreneurial ventures.
2. Sharpen Your Public Speaking and Presentation Abilities
For those who enjoy public speaking or want to improve, this hackathon provides an excellent platform to practice. Presenting your idea to members of the city council and judges will help you improve your ability to convey ideas clearly, confidently, and persuasively. Whether you pitch a business solution or demonstrate a prototype, this experience is invaluable in honing your presentation skills, which are critical for success in almost any career path.
3. Explore the STEM Field
If you’re passionate about technology and innovation, this event is for you. The hackathon is an ideal opportunity for students interested in STEM to test their knowledge hands-on and practically. You’ll be challenged to think creatively, use your technical skills, and collaborate with peers to build something meaningful. Whether coding, designing, or prototyping, you’ll leave with experience that can make your college applications or resumes stand out.
4. Networking with Industry Leaders and City Officials
Presenting your ideas to city council members is a chance to make connections. You’ll interact with professionals at the forefront of decision-making in your community. These interactions could open doors to future internships, mentorships, or collaborations. Networking early can be a game-changer, and this hackathon gives you a unique opportunity to start building those relationships.
5. Boost Your Resume and College Applications
Participating in a hackathon like the City Design Challenge is a fantastic way to boost your resume or college applications. It shows that you are proactive, able to work under pressure, and committed to making a difference in your community. These are qualities that universities and employers value highly. Plus, being part of a non-profit, student-led initiative like Hackmate demonstrates your leadership skills and community involvement—two things that can set you apart in a competitive field.
6. Win Prizes
In addition to the invaluable experience, there’s also the potential to walk away with some great prizes. The $1600+ prize pool will be awarded to the best projects, meaning that if your idea stands out, you could win something tangible to reward your hard work. But beyond the prize money, the true reward is the growth and learning you’ll experience throughout the hackathon.
How to Get Involved
If all of this sounds exciting, it’s time to act. Here’s how you can get involved:
– Register: Sign up now through the official registration link:
– Check the CDC Website: For more details on the event, visit
Hackmate City Design Challenge https://hackmate.devpost.com/
– Follow them on Instagram: Stay updated with all the latest news and resources by following @hackmate.to
Sign up today and subscribe to DTA for updates on upcoming opportunities!
About the Author:
Ethan R:
I am pursuing a degree in Economics at York University, with a strong aspiration to be an entrepreneur dedicated to positively impacting people’s lives. Additionally, I have a deep passion for fitness and nutrition.