For the past decade, JAMHacks has brought together hundreds of students with one shared goal: to build something incredible in just a short amount of time. What started as a small student-run hackathon out of a high school in Waterloo, Ontario has grown into a community of hackers, designers, and innovators eager to learn, collaborate, and push the boundaries of their ideas.

Over the years, JAMHacks has become more than just a weekend event. It’s a place where first-time coders write their first lines of code, where teams form lifelong friendships, and where creative ideas turn into real projects. From late-night debugging sessions to exciting final demos, each year has added another chapter to the story of JAMHacks.

As we celebrate 10 years of JAMHacks, it’s the perfect time to look back at how it all began, the milestones along the way, and the community that made it possible.

In the past decade, JAMHacks has grown immensely. What started as a small group of participants in a high school in Waterloo, Ontario has grown immensely, with JAMHacks 9 even earning us the title of Canada’s largest high school hackathon. As JAMHacks grew, so did everything else about it, including the venue. JAMHacks was initially hosted at Laurel Heights but as the organization grew, we shifted to partnering with The University of Waterloo. Now, JAMHacks is hosted yearly at the University’s Pearl Sullivan Engineering building, formerly known as E7. Partnering with the university, which is also a leading institution in technology has provided hackers with more resources to grow their skills and gain the best experience possible.

Along the way, JAMHacks reached key milestones. We secured major sponsors, expanded our organizing team, and introduced new opportunities such as workshops, mentorship, and networking sessions. Each year brought more participants, more projects, and more impact.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, JAMHacks, like many events, adapted by transitioning to a virtual hackathon format. While the experience looked different, the spirit of innovation remained the same. Participants continued to collaborate, build, and share their ideas, just online rather than in-person, proving that the JAMHacks community could thrive even in challenging circumstances.

From JAMHacks 1 to now, a decade later, each year of JAMHacks has built upon the last, strengthening the foundation of what JAMHacks represents today.

JAMHacks has also been home to countless memorable moments and been the birthplace of hundreds of projects, ranging from technically impressive, to out-of-the-box innovative ideas. Every JAMHacks event has also featured inspiring talks from guest speakers — industry professionals, university students, and alumni — who share their experiences and encourage participants to pursue their passions in tech and beyond.

JAMHacks’ greatest strength has always been the diversity of ideas that arise from the event. From apps designed to improve student productivity, to creative games, to projects tackling real-world issues such as sustainability and accessibility, the community at JAMHacks is full of the future leaders of the tech industry.

But beyond the projects themselves, it’s often the smaller moments that stand out: teams brainstorming late into the night, mentors helping participants debug their code, and the excitement of presenting a finished project after hours of hard work. These shared experiences are what make JAMHacks truly unforgettable.

Over the years, JAMHacks has grown into more than just an event, becoming a community. Each year, new participants join, many of whom are attending their very first hackathon, and leave with new skills, strong connections and a newfound confidence in their abilities.

JAMHacks’ impact extends far beyond the single weekend of hacking. Many former participants have gone on to pursue their education and careers in technology, while others return as mentors, volunteers, and organizers, giving back to the same community that inspired them.

As participation has continued to grow, JAMHacks has reached students from across Ontario and beyond, helping to make technology more accessible and inclusive. Last year marked a major milestone, with JAMHacks becoming one of the largest high school hackathons in Canada. This was a major reflection of both our growth as JAMHacks, but also the scale of our impact.

Behind every successful JAMHacks event is a dedicated team of student organizers who work for months behind the scenes to bring the hackathon to life. Over the past decade, hundreds of volunteers have contributed their time to make JAMHacks possible. From coordinating sponsors and planning workshops to supporting hackers throughout the event, their work is what turns an idea into a memorable experience for participants each year. As part of celebrating ten years of JAMHacks, we spoke with some of the people who helped shape the event along the way. One of our past organizers of JAMHacks 9, Luning Wang, who’s joining us again for JAMHacks 10 was asked what the experience of organizing JAMHacks 9 meant to them.

Luning: “Organizing JAMHacks 9 showed me how much impact one organization can have on so many communities. You know JAMHacks, we connect with students of course but also with our sponsors, judges who may be university students or people in the workforce and that was really cool to see. I really can’t wait to see that all again at JAMHacks 10 and I’m so excited to see what will change from last year, and how we’ll grow.”

Looking back, many organizers share a similar sentiment: JAMHacks is not just about building projects, but it’s about building people and connections. Stories of participants becoming organizers, and volunteers stepping into leadership roles, highlight the lasting influence of the community.

As we celebrate the past decade of JAMHacks, we’re also looking ahead to what comes next. JAMHacks 10 represents an exciting new chapter and the start of a new era for JAMHacks: one where we continue to grow our community, welcome even more first-time hackers, and create an environment where creativity and learning thrive. We aim to continue expanding our reach as we have done in the last 10 years, and continue to create a welcoming space for all highschoolers passionate about STEM, regardless of experience.

We hope that moving forward into this next decade, JAMHacks continues to grow and strengthen our reach to communities across Canada. With a bigger community and the same spirit of innovation that founded JAMHacks, JAMHacks 10 is just the beginning of the next decade of building and learning together!

Having reflected on the past ten years of JAMHacks, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make this journey possible, from our organizers, mentors, sponsors, and the hundreds of hackers who have brought their creativity and passion to the event. Your energy and ideas have shaped JAMHacks into the vibrant community it is today.

At the same time, we’re excited about what the future holds. With JAMHacks 10 on the horizon, we look forward to welcoming new participants, and ideas. Whether it’s your first hackathon or your tenth, we invite you to join us and be part of the next chapter of JAMHacks!

My Personal Journey

When I first heard about hackathons, I was both intrigued and terrified. The idea of participating in an event where you have to build something from scratch in just a day or two seemed incredibly daunting. I felt way too inexperienced, especially when I thought about university hackathons filled with seasoned coders. The thought of embarrassing myself held me back for a long time.

But then, I took the plunge. It was Grade 11 when I finally gave a hackathon a try — Elle Hacks. It was pretty big and quite scary. I remember walking into the venue with my palms sweaty and a million doubts running through my mind. The room was filled with enthusiastic participants, all seemingly more confident and knowledgeable than me. I felt like an imposter, convinced that I was way out of my depth.

I was lucky to have friends who came along and supported me. As the only four girls in our computer science class, we figured, why not take the jump? At least we would be together. We ended up creating a pretty generic app that facilitated easy snow shoveling through volunteer connections. Reflecting on it now, I don’t dwell on the Google Maps API that refused to work or the button that stubbornly wouldn’t shade on hover.

What stands out to me are the moments that made the experience special. I remember my friend teaching me HTML for the first time. I remember figuring out how to use speech-to-text. And I remember the ramen we ate at 3 AM. I simply remember having fun and, more than anything, wanting to do it again.

Taking that leap was transformative. It showed me that hackathons are not about showcasing perfection but about collaboration and growth. I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone, learned new skills, and made amazing friends. That first hackathon ignited a passion in me, and I haven’t looked back since.

So what can you learn?

1. Learn Beyond the Classroom: Hackathons offer a unique learning experience that goes far beyond what you get in a classroom. You’ll have the chance to tackle real-world problems, often using industry tools and technologies that aren’t covered in traditional courses. I learned more about practical coding, project management, and teamwork in one weekend than I had in months of classroom instruction. At my first hackathon, I remember diving into turtle graphics and learning how to use Figma! It was an intense, exhilarating, and incredibly rewarding experience that sparked a passion in me.
2. Build Your Network: One of the most rewarding aspects of hackathons is the people you meet. You’ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are passionate about technology and innovation. These events are fantastic networking opportunities where you can make connections that last a lifetime. Some of the mentors I met at my first hackathon became long-term advisors, and my teammates have become close friends who continue to inspire me.
3. Boost Your Confidence: Participating in a hackathon can be a major confidence booster. The first time you see your project come together, after hours of brainstorming, coding, and debugging, is incredibly satisfying. It’s a tangible achievement that showcases your skills and creativity. You often have to present your project to judges and participate in a Q&A session. While this is daunting at first, it gets easier each time you do it. This experience transfers to your everyday life too. When I do business presentations now, I am ten times more confident! I went from doubting my abilities to feeling confident in my potential to contribute meaningfully to tech projects
4. Discover New Technologies: Hackathons are a fantastic way to explore new technologies. Whether it’s a new programming language, a software framework, or a hardware device, you’ll often have the chance to experiment with tools you’ve never used before. You do NOT have to do it alone!! There are experts and hackathon organizers who lead workshops with the sole intent of helping you learn a new skill! I had my first hands-on experience with machine learning and API integration during a hackathon, which opened up new areas of interest for me.

Tips for First-Time Hackathon Participants

• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Everyone starts somewhere, and the hackathon community is incredibly supportive. If you’re stuck, ask for help. Mentors and fellow participants are usually more than happy to assist.
• Focus on Learning: While winning is great, the primary goal should be to learn and have fun. Embrace the experience and soak in as much knowledge as you can.
• Bring the Essentials: Make sure you have everything you need, including your laptop, chargers, snacks, and any other essentials to keep you comfortable and productive.

Wrapping Up

Taking part in a hackathon can be an incredibly fulfilling experience. It’s a chance to learn, grow, and connect with a community of tech enthusiasts. If you’ve been hesitant, just remember that everyone starts as a beginner. My journey from feeling intimidated to becoming an eager hackathon participant was a turning point. The friendships I made, the skills I learned, and the experiences I had were invaluable. So, if you’re on the fence, take that leap of faith. You never know what amazing opportunities await you.

Written by Jasmine Xu
Friday, January 10th 10:55PM (I am bored)

You’ve probably heard this a million times, to be yourself. But how is that emulated in an application?

Think of writing like different robots in your head that write different things. Each robot has a specific filter or manner of typing. Emails, for example, are formal. What about texts to your friends? What about applications? Which robot represents you?

I think a mistake people make oftentimes is to write in accordance with the system. You’ll write through a filter or lens of how you idealize what the organization or institution wants, instead of what you genuinely believe or want to write about. As someone who has read lots and lots of applications, I can confidently say that it doesn’t help. So many people do it, that your application just blends in with theirs.

Read these, for example. (Don’t worry, I ChatGPTed some responses, they’re not written by a real person).

Question: What’s your biggest passion?

Bobbet’s answer: My biggest passion is connecting with people through meaningful conversations and helping them solve problems or discover new ideas. Whether it’s through writing, teaching, or just being a thoughtful listener, I find deep satisfaction in making complex topics more accessible and engaging. I thrive in environments where I can share knowledge, learn from others, and collaborate to create something impactful. Ultimately, my passion lies in continuous growth — both my own and that of others.

Bob’s answer: My biggest passion is coding and problem-solving through technology. I’m fascinated by the endless possibilities that programming offers to create solutions, whether it’s building applications, automating processes, or innovating new tools. The challenge of transforming an abstract idea into a functional, efficient program is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy working through complex problems, experimenting with new languages and frameworks, and constantly learning to improve my skills. Ultimately, my passion for coding stems from its power to shape the future, simplify tasks, and bring ideas to life in ways that make a real-world impact.

Bobara’s answer: My biggest passion is filmmaking. I’ve been doing photography for as long as I can remember, but I recently started turning this hobby of mine into tangible creation, in the form of short film Youtube videos. My first exposure to filmmaking was through student trustee applications, when I challenged myself to create a campaign reflecting student ideas, and amalgamated it into a short film video. As someone who has always found it difficult to convey emotions or particular topics, filmmaking has taught me all about expression and the art of creation, no matter big or small.

Pop quiz time, which response was written by a human? What do you think the other responses could have done a better job with?

My biggest advice is to write what you genuinely believe in. If a question asks you what you love, and you love roller skating, but you feel pressured to write about coding, DON’T! Write about roller skating. Write in a way that reflects who you are. Tell a story, don’t be afraid to include personal or certain experiences.

The more you can be you, the more the world will become closer to you. Good luck with all the grade 12s writing applications, and future JAMHacks 9 applicants! We’re looking forward to reading your application 💜

-JAMHacks 9 Team