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Helping Host Hack the Valley 2026 at CSUB

Event: May 30, 2026 · CSUB Student Union MPR, Bakersfield

On May 30, 33 student builders walked into the CSUB Student Union with an idea and walked out with a working demo. Hack the Valley 2026 was a one-day sprint, about 10.5 hours from check-in to closing, for Central Valley students, and I got to help host it.

Hack the Valley 2026 recap: winners and builders on stage at CSUB, Bakersfield Mazda as top sponsor, and event numbers — The post-event recap. Winners and builders on stage at CSUB.

By the numbers

33participants checked in, including 9 high school students

13team projects demoed and judged

31judge scorecards

$1,250in prizes to 13 student winners

The day

Projects landed in practical AI, education and social impact, and were judged across four categories: Overall, AI, Education and Social Impact. Bakersfield Mazda was our top sponsor and helped power the day.

What stuck with me most was the high schoolers. Nine of them came from high schools and college-prep programs and built alongside college students, demoed in front of judges, and some went home with prizes. Getting people that age a first real build-and-ship experience, in Bakersfield, is exactly why local events like this matter.

Thanks to everyone who built, mentored, judged and sponsored. See you at the next one.

Event page and project showcase