Hack Dearborn: Conjure Reality

October 3-4, 2026University Center, University of Michigan-Dearborn24 Hours | In Person | Free to AttendHack Dearborn returns for its fifth year withHack Dearborn: Conjure Reality. That's 24 hours of building, learning, experimenting and turning imagination into something real.Hosted by the Google Developer Group on Campus at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Hack Dearborn brings together hundreds of students, developers, designers, engineers, creators and first-time hackers for one weekend.Whether this is your first time writing code or your tenth hackathon, Hack Dearborn is a place to experiment, meet new people, learn new technologies and create something you're proud of.This year, we challenge hackers to Conjure Reality. Take an idea that exists only in your imagination and turn it into something people can see, experience, use or learn from.Important: registrationYou must apply through the official Hack Dearborn website to attend:hackdearborn.org/applyJoining the event on Devpost does not register you for the in-person hackathon or guarantee you a place. Every member of your team must complete the official Hack Dearborn application and meet the eligibility requirements.TracksShaping Society.Technology for a more equitable, sustainable world. Develop solutions that improve access to healthcare, clean water, food security, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability or crisis response. Aim for practical, scalable solutions that put equity and long-term impact first.Enchanted Transit.Intelligent systems that move across land, air and sea. Explore smart, connected transportation, from futuristic cars to advanced aircraft and connected transit, to make travel safer, faster and more efficient.Mindscapes.Immersive experiences that redefine how we learn. Build tools and platforms that make education more effective, engaging and personalized, from AI-powered study aids and interactive apps to smarter classroom technology.Ideation Matrix.The wildcard track. Conjure anything. This track is for ideas that defy categories: bold, unconventional projects that rethink what technology can do and blur the line between reality and imagination.ScheduleSaturday, October 39:00 AM: Check-in and breakfast (RUC Hallway)10:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Sponsor fair and professional headshots (RUC Hallway)11:15 AM: Opening ceremony (Kochoff Hall). Attendance is mandatory.12:00 PM: Hacking begins12:00 PM: Lunch (McKinley Cafe)1:00 PM: Technical mentor tables (Kochoff Hall)6:00 PM: GitHub workshop (RUC 1225)7:00 PM: Dinner (McKinley Cafe)8:00 PM: MLH Cup Stacking (RUC Stage)11:00 PM: Building entry closes. No re-entry after 11 PM.Sunday, October 412:00 AM: Register your team's project on Devpost by midnight. You can keep editing until noon.12:00 AM: Midnight snack and game night8:00 AM: Breakfast (McKinley Cafe)9:30 AM: MLH workshop: How to Demo (RUC 1225)12:00 PM: Hacking ends. Devpost submissions lock.12:00 PM: Lunch (McKinley Cafe)1:30 PM to 3:30 PM: Judging expo (Kochoff Hall)4:00 PM: Closing ceremony and awards (ELB Atrium)Prizes1st Place: Nintendo Switch 22nd Place: Meta Quest 3S3rd Place: Bose QuietComfort HeadphonesShaping Society: Kodak PIXPRO FZ45Enchanted Transit: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3Mindscapes: Fitbit Charge 6Ideation Matrix: Wacom One SThere's also a raffle with more than 15 prizes, open to every hacker during the weekend.Team sizeTeams can have 1 to 4 hackers. Come alone, bring a team or find teammates at Hack Dearborn. We'll set aside time before hacking begins for people looking for a team. Every team member must be registered individually and be eligible.SponsorsGold:CDWSilver:AMD, Astemo, BorgWarner, Bosch, DellBronze:Consumers Energy, Ford, Rezzy, 365 Retail MarketsFriends:Incogni, LightGuide, NordPass, NordVPN, Saily, Coveron, TechSmith, Featherless, Pure Buttons, Atomic ObjectQuestionsEmailinfo@hackdearborn.orgor join ourDiscord. More athackdearborn.org.