IN 27 DAYS

Youth Voices Wanted - GDG Markham Community AI Hackathon 2026

YVJianshu Cui
view event ↗
when24 Oct 2026
where88 Doncaster Ave
priceFree
formatIn-Person
organiserJianshu Cui

about this event

Do you see a problem in Markham City that technology could help solve? Join the GDG Markham Community AI Hackathon and share your ideas with local developers, designers and technology mentors.

What you can do: You can participate in two ways.

Give a one-minute community pitch: Tell builders about an issue, concern or opportunity affecting youth or the wider Markham community. Your pitch should explain: what the problem is, who it affects, why it matters to Markham, and what a better experience could look like. You do not need to propose a technical solution or have coding experience. We are selecting up to 12 youth community pitch speakers.

Join a project team: Work alongside developers, designers and other participants to turn a community challenge into a working technology prototype. You can contribute through community knowledge; research and interviews; creative ideas; product design; user experience; testing and feedback; storytelling and presentation; and coding or technical skills. You do not need to be an experienced programmer. Every team needs people who understand the problem and the people affected by it.

What you will gain: By participating, you can have your voice heard by local builders and community leaders; help create a solution for a real Markham challenge; learn how AI and technology products are developed; work directly with developers, designers and mentors; practise teamwork, problem-solving and public speaking; build experience you can include in school, volunteer or career applications; meet other young people interested in improving their community; present your team's prototype to judges and participants; and compete for the Best Community Impact, Best Beginner Team and People's Choice awards.

No previous hackathon experience is required. Space is limited, and registration is required. During registration, tell us whether you would like to be a youth pitch speaker, join a project team, or do both. Bring your perspective, your ideas and a problem you care about. Local technology builders will help you explore what is possible.

GDG Markham is an independent, community-led Google Developer Group. Our activities and views should not be attributed to Google.

tracks

Community Pitch

Give a one-minute pitch about an issue, concern or opportunity affecting youth or the wider Markham community, explaining the problem, who it affects, why it matters to Markham, and what a better experience could look like. No technical solution or coding experience is required; up to 12 youth community pitch speakers are selected.

Project Team

Work alongside developers, designers and other participants to turn a community challenge into a working technology prototype, contributing through community knowledge, research and interviews, creative ideas, product design, user experience, testing and feedback, storytelling and presentation, or coding and technical skills.

when

October 24, 202608:30 - 18:30 EDT

GDG Markham Community AI Hackathon 2026

Full-day community AI hackathon with one-minute youth community pitches and team prototyping, ending with prototype presentations and awards.

◍ 88 Doncaster Ave, Markham, ON

tickets

Ticket types, prices and availability for Youth Voices Wanted - GDG Markham Community AI Hackathon 2026
ticketspriceFeeStatusdescription
General AdmissionFreeNoneAvailableFree registration required; space is limited. During registration, indicate whether you would like to be a youth pitch speaker, join a project team, or do both.

prizes

Prize places and values for Youth Voices Wanted - GDG Markham Community AI Hackathon 2026
#PRIZEprice
AwardBest Community ImpactTBA
AwardBest Beginner TeamTBA
AwardPeople's ChoiceTBA

faq

Do I need coding or previous hackathon experience?+
No. You do not need to be an experienced programmer and no previous hackathon experience is required. Every team needs people who understand the problem and the people affected by it.
How can I take part?+
There are two ways: give a one-minute community pitch to builders about a Markham issue, or join a project team to build a working technology prototype. You can also do both.
Do I need a technical solution for the community pitch?+
No. Your pitch should explain what the problem is, who it affects, why it matters to Markham, and what a better experience could look like. You do not need to propose a technical solution.
How many pitch speakers will be selected?+
Up to 12 youth community pitch speakers will be selected.
Is registration required?+
Yes. Space is limited and registration is required. During registration, tell the organizers whether you would like to be a youth pitch speaker, join a project team, or do both.
What awards can teams compete for?+
Best Community Impact, Best Beginner Team and People's Choice.
Who organizes the hackathon?+
GDG Markham is an independent, community-led Google Developer Group. Its activities and views should not be attributed to Google.
Youth Voices Wanted - GDG Markham Community AI Hackathon 202624 Oct 2026 · 88 Doncaster Ave
view event →

never miss a hackathon

one email a week with every new listing. no spam, unsubscribe any time.