Today marks the official start of the Pebble Change the World Hackathon.

Over the next few days, high school students from across the country will team up to build tech projects that tackle real problems—from education to climate to public health. The energy already coming through the kickoff calls is incredible.

Some teams knew each other before this week. Others met for the first time during onboarding. All of them are focused on one thing: building something that can make an impact.

We’ve got over sixty students signed up, dozens of project ideas already taking shape, and a solid team of mentors standing by to help. Our mentors bring experience in design, development, and project planning—and they’re here to guide, not take over. Students are leading the way.

Throughout the hackathon, we’ll also be hosting quick skill-building sessions, Q&As, and drop-in office hours. Everything’s designed to help participants move their ideas forward without slowing them down.

This event isn’t about perfect code or polished apps. It’s about working with what you know, learning as you go, and staying focused on the people you’re building for.

We’ve seen so much thought and care from students already—in how they form teams, choose problems, and sketch out solutions. That’s the kind of creativity this space is meant to support.

To everyone participating: good luck, keep things simple, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. We’re excited to see what you build.

— Arnav Bonigala