Outsmart Artificial Intelligence. Build Guardrails. Win Big!

Join Thunderbird Hacks 2026 at Explora for a full day of hands-on AI challenges, teamwork, and friendly competition. No coding experience needed..

What Makes This Hackathon Different?

Instead of traditional coding challenges, you’ll dive into prompt engineering and AI safety. These skills will make you a smarter AI user and give you a sneak peak behind the curtain of chatbot design.

Participate in 3 Challenges

Event Details

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Location: Explora, 1701 Mountain Road NW

For: High School Students (all skill levels welcome)

• Free Registration
• Teams of 2 to 3 (Solo sign-ups welcome)
• No Coding Experience Needed (mentors help guide you)
• Meals and Snacks Provided
• Prizes for Top Teams
• Laptops Available (optional to bring your own- see below)

Exclusive Opportunities

Morning Address: Jen Gaudioso, Director of Computing Research & Sandia AI Board of Directors

Keynote: Kevin Dixon, Director of Applied Information Sciences & Sandia AI Board of Directors

Career Conversations: Talk with Sandia Internship Program staff about future opportunities

Laptops

You’re welcome to bring a laptop (with any controls turned off to access hackathon links and materials), but it’s not required. We’ll have extras available if you need one, just bring your charger if it’s yours.

Schedule

• 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM Registration – Explora Group Entrance
• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM Opening Ceremony – Rotary Room
• 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM Hackathon Challenge Working Time – X Studio
• 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM Lunch (provided) and Keynote Speaker – Rotary Room
• 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM Career Conversations/Explora Time
• 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM Hackathon Challenge Working Time – X Studio
• 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM Career Conversations/Explora Time
• 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM Awards and Wrap Up – Rotary Room

Questions? Email xstudio@explora.us

Learn about Sandia’s Artificial Intelligence