Campion × Hack 876. Everything you need to know.

47 questions answered

• The basicsWhat is Hack 876?

  Hack 876 is a one-day build competition for Jamaican secondary-school students. In teams of 3 to 4, students choose a real problem, build a prototype that addresses it, and present it to a panel of judges.

  It takes place in person at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.

  What is Hack 876? →
• The basicsWhat is a hackathon?

  A hackathon is an event where small teams build something from scratch in a short, fixed time, then show it to judges. The word comes from “hack” in the sense of putting something together quickly. It has nothing to do with breaking into computers.

• The basicsWhat is a prototype?

  A prototype is an early version of an idea that you can show or demonstrate. It does not have to be finished or ready to sell.

  For example: a revision tool for a CSEC subject, a planner for school events, a simple game, an app for a problem in your community. The aim is to have something working to show by the end of the day. Not every team gets all the way there, and judges know that.

• The basicsWho organizes Hack 876?

  Hack 876 is run by an organizing team led by Nadani Dixon and Stefen Ewers, who both attended Campion. It is not run by Campion College.

  The organizing team handles applications, consent forms, the event itself and all communication with students and families.

  Contact the organizers →
• Who can take partWho can take part?

  Students in 5th Form through Upper 6th Form at one of the schools in the Hack 876 school network, which includes Campion. The application asks students to choose their school from that list. About 80 students from several schools will take part.

  How to apply →
• Who can take partCan students under 18 take part?

  Yes. Any student in the eligible forms can apply, whatever their age. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form before the event.

  Some AI tools made by other companies have their own minimum ages. That affects which tools a student may use on the day. It does not affect whether they can take part.

  AI tools and age limits →
• Who can take partIs a place guaranteed for Campion students?

  No. Every student applies individually, and places are limited. A teacher’s recommendation does not guarantee a place.

  For planning, the organizers have roughly 8 to 12 Campion students in mind. That figure is an estimate. It is not a quota and not a promise.

• Who can take partWhat is Campion’s involvement?

  Campion College has confirmed that it is taking part in Hack 876. Mrs. Keisha Morrison, Head of the Technology Department, is the faculty liaison. Hack 876 is organized independently of Campion, and individual student places are not guaranteed.

  For Campion teachers →
• Getting readyDo I need to know how to code?

  No. You do not need Python, C, JavaScript or any other programming language, and you do not need to have built anything before.

  Teams need different skills. Someone has to understand the problem, design how the solution looks, build it, and explain it to the judges. Students who draw, write, research, organize or present are as useful as students who code.

  For students →
• Getting readyWhat do students build?

  Each team builds a prototype. A prototype is an early version of an idea that you can show or demonstrate. It does not have to be finished or ready to sell.

  Teams choose their own problem and how to tackle it. Past hackathon projects include websites, apps, AI tools, games, hardware, data projects, automations, agents, interactive experiences. Hack 876 is hands-on: students spend the day building and then presenting, not sitting in lectures.

• Getting readyIs there training before the event?

  No training sessions have been arranged. Students do not need to prepare anything in order to apply.

  Still to be confirmed: Whether optional workshops or preparation materials will be offered. Any that are arranged will be announced on this page.

• Getting readyDo I need a team before I apply?

  No. You can apply on your own, or with friends. If you apply with friends, each of you fills in your own application and lists the others.

  Teams are 3 to 4 students. Students without a team are placed in one, and the application asks whether you are happy to be matched with students from another school. Hack 876 is not Campion against other schools: teams can be mixed.

  Still to be confirmed: The final rules for how teams are formed.

• Getting readyWhat should students bring?

  Required: your own laptop or other device to build on, with its charger, your school ID and a signed parent or guardian consent form. Hack 876 is not providing laptops or other hardware.

  Bring if you have them: a water bottle, headphones, and a notebook and pen.

  Still to be confirmed: The final packing list, which will be sent to accepted students.

  What to bring →
• Getting readyCan a team start its project before the event?

  Teams can think about ideas beforehand, but building starts on the day, when the clock starts for everyone.

  Still to be confirmed: The full rules on work done before the event.

• ApplyingHow does a student apply?

  Each student completes the application on the Hack 876 website. Applications are open.

  The student fills it in themselves. A parent or teacher does not need to do anything at this stage.

  Go to the application →
• ApplyingDoes a teacher have to recommend me before I apply?

  The application form does not ask for a recommendation, so a student at Campion can submit one directly. Schools in the network are also asked to recommend students they think would enjoy it.

  Still to be confirmed: Whether a school recommendation will be required for a place, and how recommendations are weighed. If you are unsure, apply and let your teacher know.

• ApplyingWhat does the application ask for?

  Your name, email, phone number, school, form and age, and optionally your gender. Four short written answers, such as what you enjoy creating and why you want to come. The role you see yourself playing on a team. “Not sure yet” is an option. Whether you already have a team, and whether you are open to teammates from another school. How much you have built before, whether you can bring a laptop, and how you heard about Hack 876. Optional links to a GitHub page, portfolio or project.

  There is no test. The written answers are there to show what a student is curious about.

• ApplyingHow are students chosen?

  The Hack 876 organizing team reads each application. The written answers matter more than grades or past achievements: the team is looking for curiosity and a willingness to build with other people.

  Still to be confirmed: The detailed selection criteria.

• ApplyingWhen do applications close, and when will students hear back?

  Applications are open.

  Still to be confirmed: The closing date and the date decisions are sent. Both will be posted on this page.

• ApplyingWhat happens after a student applies?

  The student gets a confirmation on screen. The organizing team then reviews applications and contacts each student with a decision. Accepted students receive a consent form for a parent or guardian to sign, plus the details for the day.

  Still to be confirmed: When decisions will be sent.

• AI tools & consentCan students use AI tools?

  Yes. Using AI is allowed but not required, and a team can do well without it. Whatever a team uses, its members must be able to explain what they built.

  Students will only use tools the organizers have approved for the event.

  Still to be confirmed: The list of approved tools.

  AI tools and age limits →
• AI tools & consentCan students under 18 use AI tools?

  Not every AI tool is open to students under 18. Many AI tools are made by companies that set a minimum age for users, and some are for adults only. Students under 18 will not be asked or allowed to use an adults-only tool at Hack 876.

  The organizers are choosing tools that are appropriate for the ages taking part.

  Still to be confirmed: Which tools are approved, and the age limit for each.

• AI tools & consentCan a parent give permission for a child to use an 18+ tool?

  No. When a company sets a minimum age for its product, a parent’s permission does not change it. Students under 18 will not use adults-only tools at Hack 876, with or without permission.

• AI tools & consentDo students need to pay for AI tools or software?

  No. The organizers’ aim is that no student has to buy software or an AI subscription to take part. Students do not need to own or pay for any tool in order to apply.

  Still to be confirmed: How approved tools will be provided on the day.

• AI tools & consentDoes a team need a member who is 18 or older?

  No. There is no such rule. The aim is for every team to have tools its members are old enough to use.

  Still to be confirmed: The final rules on accounts and access to tools.

• AI tools & consentWhat consent is needed from a parent or guardian?

  Every participant needs a consent form signed by a parent or guardian. The form is sent to accepted students, so there is nothing to sign at the application stage.

  Still to be confirmed: The exact wording of the form and how it is returned.

• The dayWhen is Hack 876?

  Tentative

  Saturday, February 20, 2027. This date is tentative. Please do not make firm plans around it until it is confirmed on this page.

• The dayWhere is it held?

  Confirmed

  At the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.

  View on Maps →
• The dayIs it overnight? What are the hours?

  It is not overnight. Hack 876 runs for a single day, from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, and every student goes home that evening.

  Still to be confirmed: Times may shift slightly. The final schedule is sent to accepted students.

  See the full schedule →
• The dayWhat happens during the day?

  Students arrive, form into teams and are given the challenge. They spend most of the day building, with a break for lunch. In the late afternoon each team shows its work to the judges, the best teams present on stage, and prizes are awarded.

  Key times: challenge reveal at 9:35 AM, hacking begins at 9:45 AM, hacking ends at 4:00 PM, finals at 5:45 PM, awards at 6:45 PM.

  See the full schedule →
• Safety & logisticsIs food provided?

  Yes. Food is provided on the day, and the schedule includes a lunch break. Accepted students will be asked about allergies and dietary needs in advance.

  Still to be confirmed: The menu.

• Safety & logisticsWho supervises the students?

  Students are supervised by Hack 876 staff and volunteers for the whole day, at the Spanish Court Hotel.

  Still to be confirmed: The number of supervising adults and the written safeguarding procedures. Both will be sent to families before the event.

• Safety & logisticsHow do students get there and back?

  No transport has been arranged, so families should plan to bring students to the Spanish Court Hotel for 8:00 AM and collect them at 7:30 PM.

  Still to be confirmed: Drop-off and pick-up procedures, and whether any transport will be arranged.

• Safety & logisticsWho do I contact on the day or in an emergency?

  Every family will be given an on-site contact and the emergency procedure before the event. Before the day, the organizers can be reached at info@hack876.com.

  Still to be confirmed: The on-site contact details.

• Safety & logisticsWhat if a student has access, medical or dietary needs?

  Tell the organizers as early as possible, at info@hack876.com, so arrangements can be made with the venue. Accepted students will also be asked directly.

• Costs & equipmentDoes it cost anything to take part?

  It costs nothing to apply. The organizers’ aim is that no student has to buy software or tools to build a project, and food is provided on the day.

  Still to be confirmed: Whether there is any participation fee. If there is one, it will be published on this page before any student is asked to accept a place.

• Costs & equipmentDoes every student need a laptop?

  Every student needs to bring their own laptop or other device to build on, plus a charger. Hack 876 is not providing laptops or other hardware.

  A student who does not have a device of their own should plan to borrow one for the day before accepting a place.

• Judging & prizesHow are projects judged?

  Each team demonstrates its project to the judges. They look at 6 things: problem & insight, product & solution, execution, originality, impact, pitch & demo.

  A simple idea that works and is explained clearly can beat a complicated one that does not.

  How judging works →
• Judging & prizesWhat are the prizes?

  There are prizes for first, second and third place, and special awards for Best Design, Boldest Idea, People’s Choice.

  Prizes are a bonus. The main reason to take part is the experience of building something.

  Still to be confirmed: The prize items listed on the Hack 876 website are provisional and may change.

  See the prizes →
• After the eventDoes taking part lead to internships, jobs or scholarships?

  No. Hack 876 does not offer or promise internships, jobs, scholarships, interviews or placements.

  What students do get is a day working next to engineers, mentors and other professionals, a chance to present to judges who work in technology and business, and a project they can describe on a university or job application.

  Still to be confirmed: The organizers hope to develop longer-term links with companies, universities and mentors. None are in place.

  What students gain →
• After the eventWill students get career advice?

  Students meet people who work in technology and can ask them about their studies and careers. There is no formal career programme attached to Hack 876.

• For teachersHow do teachers recommend students?

  Share this page or the student flyer with students in 5th Form through Upper 6th Form. If you would like to recommend particular students, give their names to the faculty liaison. No form is needed. Each student completes the application on the Hack 876 website. Teachers do not apply on their behalf. The Hack 876 organizing team selects participants and contacts students and families directly.

  For Campion teachers →
• For teachersWhich students are a good fit?

  Curious students who like making things, in any subject. Students taking Computer Science, IT, Maths, the Sciences, Art, Design or Business. Strong writers, presenters, organizers and researchers, as well as programmers. Students who work well with people they have just met.

• For teachersWhat is Campion asked to do or pay?

  Campion is not asked to pay anything, host anything or run anything. Teachers are asked to share this page with eligible students and, if they wish, recommend students.

  Permission for students to take part in an outside activity remains a matter for Campion and for families.

• For teachersWhat is a student ambassador?

  A student ambassador is a Campion student who helps classmates find out about Hack 876. Campion is expected to have two ambassadors, ideally one in Lower Sixth and one in Fifth Form. They have not been chosen yet, and their names will not be published without permission.

  The role is small: share the Hack 876 flyer and this page with classmates; encourage eligible students to apply; point classmates to this page when they have questions; pass on questions they cannot answer to the faculty liaison.

• For teachersIs there a flyer or information sheet to share?

  Yes. A student flyer, a parent and guardian information sheet and an overview for teachers can each be downloaded from this page as a one-page PDF.

  Downloads →
• For teachersWho do I ask if my question is not answered here?

  Email the Hack 876 organizing team at info@hack876.com. For questions about Campion’s own arrangements, such as school permission to attend, speak to Campion’s Technology Department.

  Contact →