1st Place: NeurOcean
2nd Place: CivicAlert
Referral Prize: GAIA
Featherless.AI Prize: EcoGuesser
EcoHacks is an online environmental STEM hackathon hosted by Green Spaces Initiative. This hackathon challenges students in grades 8–12 to build creative projects that help understand, improve, or protect the environment.
Participants can create anything using STEM, including software programs, simulations, data analyses, hardware prototypes, models, or other technical solutions. There are no required tools or programming languages. The goal is to encourage innovation, creativity, and technical thinking applied to real environmental problems.
Unlike many hackathons that offer sponsor credits or subscriptions, EcoHacks provides real cash prizes paid directly to winners via PayPal, Zelle, or Venmo.
Participants may work solo or in teams of up to 4 people. This is a fully online hackathon, allowing students to participate from anywhere.
Deadline: April 19th, 2026 at 11:45 PM EST
Prize Pool (subject to increase)
REGISTER ON THE GOOGLE FORM TO BE OFFICIALLY A PART OF THE HACKATHON: https://forms.gle/obSEqYV9tAFLNuGaA
SUBMISSION FORMS ARE NOW OUT (DUE APRIL 19th, 11:45 PM) - MUST DO THE REGISTRATION FORM AND SUBMISSION FORM TO BE ENTERED: https://forms.gle/UpARwVv9SuC4xz3N7 (we don't take Devpost submissions, only this, but you must still be registered in DEVPOST)
Requirements
Submissions may include software, hardware, research, simulations, models, or technical prototypes related to the environment.
Each submission must include:
• Project title
• Project description explaining what you built
• Explanation of how your project helps the environment
• Description of the STEM concepts used
• At least one image, screenshot, or visual of your project
• A required 1–2 minute video explanation (see Video Requirement below)
• Optional: GitHub repository, code files, or documentation
All submissions must be original work created by your team.
Deadline for submission: April 19th, 2026 at 11:45 PM EST and SUBMISSION FORMS ARE NOW OUT (DUE APRIL 19th, 11:45 PM) - MUST DO THE REGISTRATION FORM AND SUBMISSION FORM TO BE ENTERED: https://forms.gle/UpARwVv9SuC4xz3N7
KEEP NOTE, the submissions form will be released within the week of the deadline with additional information that is required. Then only will you be actually in for the chance to win!
The Referral Prize: - The person/team with the most referrals also wins a prize. - This will be counted by this google form and devpost (cross-tracked) since in order to enter this hackathon you need to join both. (This and the Featherless.AI prize, are the only prizes you can win with another prize)DISCLAIMER: Prizes are split across the team.
Prizes
1st Place
- $75 via Paypal, Venmo, or Zelle
- $300 worth of Featherless.AI Credits
2nd Place
Most Referrals
Best Featherless.AI Project
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Saatvik
Abhiram Pulijala
Sriman Arji
Ashwath Rajakkal
Srisaran Sivakumar
Judging Criteria
-
Creativity & Innovation
How original and creative is the idea? Does the project present a unique approach to solving an environmental problem? -
Technical Skill
How well was the project built? This includes quality of code, design, engineering, data analysis, or overall technical execution. -
Environmental Impact
How clearly does the project relate to the environment? Does it meaningfully help understand, improve, or address an environmental issue? -
Clarity & Presentation
How clearly is the project explained in the submission and required 1–2 minute video? Is it easy to understand what was built and how it works?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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