01 / Explore
Together, list 3–5 ideas around your topic. Who could each idea help? Bring examples or links to explain the need.
Aim for → a shortlistYOUR HACKATHON FIELD GUIDE · 01
Get you a
3-hour
strategy.
Build together. Help people with a real need.
Try a simple version you can share.
Facilitator’s suggested plan • Sacramento, October 19, 2026
THE RUN OF SHOW · 02
Three hours. Five checkpoints.
Suggested 12:45–3:45 PM Pacific sprint.
Follow the organizer’s actual demo deadline.
02 / Choose
Give everyone a few quiet minutes to think. Share your favorites, then choose an idea to try as a team.
Aim for → one problem03 / Sketch
Draw what someone would see and do. Make up an example, such as a question they might ask.
Aim for → a sketch of the steps04 / Build
Work together on the main task your idea helps with. Check in at 2:10 and 2:40. Simplify or ask for help if needed.
Aim for → a first version05 / Practice
Try your idea together, save screenshots, and practice showing it. Unfinished parts are okay—explain them.
Aim for → a clear storyWHEN THE TEAM IS STUCK · 03
Give everyone
a chance to contribute.
A little quiet thinking time helps everyone bring their ideas to the team.
1:00–1:05 / Silent shortlist
Each person writes their top 3 ideas. For each: who needs it, what hurts, and what a useful result looks like.
1:05–1:15 / Share and score
One minute each to explain. Give 3 points to your favorite, 2 to second, 1 to third. Highest total wins.
1:15–1:20 / Choose together
If you are tied, try the idea that is easiest to show with made-up examples. Agree as a team to explore it for today.
Try this together: “Our team wants to help [a type of user, such as a job seeker] with [a task they find difficult].”
MAKE THE WORK SMALL · 04
What would someone
do with your idea?
What do I give it?
A question, a sample letter, or a job description. Have one example ready.
What happens?
What will your idea help them do? For example, explain a letter or find a resource.
What can I do next?
A clear answer, a next step, and the source or uncertainty behind it.
A prototype is an early version you use to try an idea. Your team can start with a drawing or a clickable screen. Use made-up information and explain which parts work and which are examples.
Copy a prompt to help plan your first version
I am building a three-hour civic hackathon prototype. Our user is [person], their problem is [problem], and our desired outcome is [outcome]. Here is the event brief: https://luma.com/h4h-sacramento. Propose the smallest end-to-end flow with sample input and output, three acceptance checks, and what to cut. Use fictional data. Clearly label simulations and assumptions. Ask only the questions that would change the build.
THE IDEA SHELF · 05
All up for grabs.
Pick one. Remix it. Make it local.
These are starter concepts, not official challenge tracks.
Quick start: SOQ Coach for a text-only flow, or SMS Resource Finder with a small sample dataset. Try voice only if your team already has the setup working.
SHOW THE CHANGE · 06
Show who your
team wants to help.
A demo is a short walkthrough of your idea.
Try 90 seconds for practice; follow the organizer’s time on stage.
Introduce an example user
“This is Sam. They’re trying to ___, but ___ gets in the way.”
Walk through the main task
Use made-up information to show the steps. Describe what someone would do and how your idea helps.
Explain the difference
What became easier? Which parts are working, and which are examples? What would you ask someone who might use it?
Before you go up: test the link, enlarge the text, close unrelated tabs, and keep screenshots ready if the network fails.
KEEP THESE HANDY · 07
The brief. The context. The guide.
Official Sacramento eventEvent description and organizer information↗Hack for HumanityThe AI Collective’s global initiative↗Sac Tech Week scheduleResource supplied in the original notes↗Hack for Humanity announcementBackground reading supplied in the original notes↗
Same link. Fresh guidance.
Keep this page open and refresh when your facilitator announces an update.
sacramento-ideas.jacksonthedev.chatgpt.site/guide