UChicago Tech Showcase

Learn new technical skills and build a portfolio you can share with employers at the UChicago Tech Showcase! Organized by the Careers in Technology program, the UChicago Tech Showcase is a friendly competition open to all College students.

The UChicago Tech Showcase has two components: a project work period lasting several weeks and a final showcase where students present on their projects to a panel of expert judges.

Summer 2026 Showcase Application

Applications for the Summer 2026 Tech Showcase are open now and close Monday, May 4 at 9am CT. You can apply here!

Summer 2026 Program Details

Important Dates

  • Program Dates: Monday, June 15 – Friday, July 31

  • Final Virtual Showcase Event: Wednesday, July 29, 5–7pm CT

Application Instructions

  • Submit ONE application per team. Teams may include up to 5 currently enrolled UChicago College students, or you may apply as an individual.

Program Requirements

  • Must be a currently enrolled UChicago College student

  • Students in the Polsky Summer Accelerator are not eligible

  • Your project should be completable within the program dates (many students continue adding to their project after the program ends!)

  • If selected, you must:

    • Attend virtual office hours at least twice during the program

    • Participate in the virtual showcase on Wednesday, July 29

Opportunities for Alumni and Employers

We welcome employers and alumni to participate as judges, mentors, and sponsors for the Tech Showcase program.

As an employer or alumni participant, you receive a special tech resume book and the chance to share career opportunities at your organization with students. Reach out to Claire Silcox at csilcox@uchicago.edu.

How It Works

  • Students can work individually or in teams

  • Teams identify a challenge and design a technical solution that will make a positive contribution

  • Students can work on problems in any area (e.g., healthcare, climate change) and can submit any type of technical project, including apps, machine learning algorithms, and internet of things devices

  • All participants will receive an initial grant for their project at the start of the program. Students who complete the program and submit a finished product will receive an additional reward and be eligible for prizes.

  • During the competition period, students have access to mentors and office hours to support all aspects of their projects, including technical troubleshooting, product design, and presentations consulting

  • On the day of the final Tech Showcase, students gather to celebrate each other's work and present their projects to a panel of special guest judges, mentors, and employer partners

Potential technical skills students can learn include programming languages like Python and Go, frameworks like React.js and Django, databases like MongoDB and MySQL, web services like AWS and GCP, design tools like Figma and Sketch, and project management tools like GitHub and Jira.

Get Involved

The UChicago Tech Showcase happens twice a year, during the summer and over winter break. All members of the UChicago community are invited to attend and hear about the projects. Students who are interested in the future editions of the UChicago Technical Showcase should join the Careers in Technology newsletter for updates and application announcements.

Questions?

For more information about the UChicago Tech Showcase, please contact Claire Silcox at csilcox@uchicago.edu.