Over two full work days, students created software tools, web applications, and a mobile app from scratch.
A total of 32 students from Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods teamed up to tackle projects proposed by six local nonprofit organizations: Sequoia Humane Society, Humboldt Community Access and Resource Center’s (HCAR) The Studio, Northcoast Regional Land Trust, Humboldt County Farm Bureau, Dell’Arte International, and the Cal Poly Humboldt Library.
With the support of nine tech industry mentors, which included a mix of local tech professionals, Humboldt and CR professors, Humboldt Information Technology Services staff, and Humboldt Computer Science alumni. and a judging panel of seven experts, the teams developed software applications aimed at making a lasting impact.
For the first time, the club partnered with Opportunity Hack, an Arizona-based nonprofit that specializes in hackathons for social good. Opportunity Hack provided project guidance, training materials, and resources to help students create meaningful solutions. Projects that were not fully completed during the event remain in Opportunity Hack’s global directory, allowing future teams to build upon them.
“The best part of the Hackathon is seeing students collaborate, learn, and use their skills to make a real difference in our community,” said Lily Yassemi, a Computer Science major and president of the Computer Science Club. “It’s incredibly rewarding to watch everyone’s ideas come to life.”
Yassemi says students loved the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and network with industry professionals. Nonprofits also found the collaboration valuable, with several already expressing interest in participating again next year.
The event highlighted the importance of hackathons in rural communities like Humboldt County, where access to tech-driven problem-solving opportunities can be limited. By connecting students with local organizations, the Hackathon for Social Good demonstrated how technology can be a powerful tool for community development and social impact.
"The Hackathon for Social Good was ideal for our rural community, providing students the opportunity to tackle real projects that addressed local nonprofit challenges with tech solutions. It strengthened the connection between our school and the community, fostering teamwork and future collaboration while demonstrating how technology can drive positive change," Yassemi says.
The winners of this year's hackathon were:
- First Place: Team Something Stupid - They developed a scholarship tracker for the Humboldt County Farm Bureau, which the nonprofit's leaders will implement immediately.
- Second Place: Team Last Place - They created an interactive map that details the conserved areas protected by the Northcoast Regional Land Trust.
- Third Place: Team Otterficial Intelligence - They designed an artist and portfolio management system for HCAR, The Studio, to help nonprofit leaders and community members keep track of various artworks created by local artists.
Jeannie Fulton, executive director of the Humboldt County Farm Bureau, expressed her appreciation for the Hackathon.
“Being chosen as a project was beyond exciting. The team that worked on our project was enthusiastic and thoughtful. We are eager to find a more interactive and efficient system than Excel, and this tool could be a game-changer for us,” Fulton says.
The app—a scholarship portal—will allow the bureau to better track the applicants who receive scholarships from the Humboldt County Farm Bureau each year.
Humboldt County Farm Bureau strives to protect and promote agriculture in the North Coast region. By investing in scholarships, educational programs, and opportunities that connect youth with agriculture, HCFB supports the next generation of agriculturists while advocating for the strength and sustainability of Humboldt County’s farming and ranching communities.
“Having the opportunity to participate in the Hackathon and see firsthand the talent these students brought to the table was truly inspiring,” Fulton says.
The Computer Science Club hopes to expand the event in the coming years, building on its success and fostering stronger connections between the University, College of the Redwoods, and local nonprofits.
Learn more about this year’s Hackathon for Social Good projects at https://hackathonfor good2025.devpost.com/project-gallery