The NAISD Hackathon, led by brothers Hui (William) Xu and Chang (Philip) Xu, took place during Service & Action Week 2025 and brought students together for a three-day STEAM challenge focused on building solutions for a better city. Working in self-selected teams, participants chose a problem set focused on either a city component or an entire city to improve and developed ideas aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—combining creativity with real research, clear reasoning, and practical design.
Across the event, students used online tools to prototype concept and refine their proposed solutions before delivering short demos and presentations to judges. The Hackathon was a major success, generating 40+ submissions and showcasing the strength of student initiative at NAISD. More than a competition, it was a fast-paced learning experience that strengthened teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills—while helping students see how technology and thoughtful innovation can create meaningful change in real communities.
Our winner from the Grade 8/9s!
Our winner from the Grade 6/7s!
Our winner's presentation!
Our winner's presentation!
Key moments in Grade 8/9 presentation
Key moments in Grade 6/7 presentation
Key moments in Grade 8/9 presentation
Key moments in Grade 6/7 presentation
Hackathon Problem Sets
Get inspired. Start building. Change the world.
Grade 6-7
Roads in Sustainable Cities
Devise a solution to improve current roadworks in any city/country of your choice. Your solution may include hardware or software.
SDG Links: 11
Education of Sustainable Cities
Devise an educational campaign or course that teaches a target audience of your choice about sustainability and sustainability in cities.
SDG Links: 4, 11
Bridges in Sustainable Cities
Devise a solution to improve sustainability of bridges or create new sustainable bridges in any city/country of your choice. Your solution may be presented in hardware or software.
SDG Links: 11
Health & Well-being in Sustainable Cities
Devise a solution to improve the health and well-being of residents in any city/region of your choice by improving the sustainability of the city chosen.
SDG Links: 3, 6, 11
Energy in Sustainable Cities
Devise a solution to improve the efficiency of usage of energy in any city/country of your choice. Your solution may be hardware, software or a mix of both.
SDG Links: 7, 11
Grade 8-9
Designing Sustainable Cities
Devise a solution to improve the current sustainability of any city of your choice. Your solution may be hardware, software, a mix of both or a written piece.
SDG Links: 9, 11
Economically Sustainable Cities
Devise an economic/fiscal model for a sustainable city where it can be self-sustained. Your solution may be hardware, software, a mix of both or a written piece.
SDG Links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16
Energy Systems in Sustainable Cities
Devise a solution to improve or remake energy/power systems for a city of your choice. Your solution may be hardware, software, a mix of both or a written piece.
SDG Links: 7, 8, 9, 11
Health & Well-being in Sustainable Cities
Devise a solution to improve the health and well-being of residents in any city/region of your choice. Your solution may be hardware, software, a mix of both or a written piece.
SDG Links: 3, 9, 11
Sustainable Sewage System in Cities
Devise a solution to improve the current sustainability of sewage systems and treatments in a city of your choice. Your solution may be hardware, software, a mix of both or a written piece.
