Media advisory: U of A students bring back hackathon

March 20, 2025

What: Student-run Hack Arizona, the Southwest's largest hackathon
When: Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m., to Sunday, March 23, 3 p.m.
Where: University of Arizona Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library

TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona student-run Hack Arizona event launched in 2015 and became the Southwest's largest hackathon, attracting as many as 875 competitors. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the event to a halt. Now, student organizers, with the backing of the University of Arizona administration, will again host Hack Arizona March 22-23, with 300 competitors.

A hackathon unites teams around developing solutions to specific problems during a short time period. The term is formed by combining "hack" – referring to creative strategy development rather than computer hacking – and "marathon."

Groups will vie for first, second and third-place prizes in categories including artificial intelligence, marketing and sustainability. One challenge will task a team with teaching an AI model to navigate a digital twin of the university's Biosphere 2 facility. Precision will be key, because if a robot using the AI veered off course, it could damage research projects.

Local businesses, along with university units, have contributed to a prize pool valued at $10,000. Sponsor representatives will serve at the event by judging competitions, providing on-site guidance and conducting a variety of workshops for Hack Arizona participants and spectators.

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Media contact:
Om Jariwala
Hack Arizona co-chair
520-245-1015
omjariwala17@arizona.edu

The University of Arizona, the state's flagship university, is a land-grant institution with two independently accredited medical schools and ranks among the nation's top institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report. Established in 1885, it is a research powerhouse widely acknowledged for its commitment to student access and success. Led by President Suresh Garimella, the university is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and is recognized by the Military Times as one of the nation's best universities for service members. As a leading Research 1 institution, the U of A ranks in the top 20 among all public universities, with $955 million in total research activity for fiscal year 2023 according to the National Science Foundation. The U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships as a member of the Association of American Universities, which is composed of the 71 leading public and private research universities in the U.S. and Canada.