UChicago Tech Showcase

Learn new technical skills and build a portfolio you can share with employers at the UChicago Tech Showcase, a friendly competition open to all College students! The competition happens twice a year, during the summer and over winter break.

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.

Application

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

  • Winter Break Showcase: applications will open in November 2026

  • Summer Showcase: applications will open in May 2027

Important Dates

Summer 2026 Showcase

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

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

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.

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 (Wednesday, July 29, 2026 for Summer 2026 Showcase)

Opportunities for
Alumni & 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.