# Idea to Prototype: A Civics and Elections Hackathon

**Presented by**  
[The Upskilling Labs](https://luma.com/theupskillinglabs?k=c)

**Date:**  
Saturday, August 15  
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM  
**Location:**  
[3501 Nebraska Ave NW\  
Washington, DC](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=3501%20Nebraska%20Ave%20NW&query_place_id=ChIJNWEB6-PJt4kRU64MWMtYknQ)

**About Event**  
​Interested in using AI to solve a real world/life problem? Come find out. Let’s do it together.  
​This Hackathon is a fast-paced, one-day event where you'll go from idea to working prototype — with real teammates, real tools, and a real plan to test what you build.  
​The event builds on [civics and elections](https://theupskillinglabs.org/survey/civics?utm_source=luma) challenges inspired by the Upskilling Labs' “Build Cycle,” a thematic 12-week program where participants work on real-world problems and build practical solutions. No previous involvement or AI-capacity required.

## ​ **This event is for you if:**

- ​You're curious about AI but haven't gotten hands-on with it yet
- ​You care about civic engagement and want to do something beyond reading about it
- ​You want to meet people who are actually making things and working to change the status quo

​ **
*Note:** This is a non-partisan, non-political event.

## ​ **Come with an open and curious mind. Choose your Track:**

​ **If you are a Newcomer:** Welcome! Join a beginner-friendly morning track where you'll get hands-on with AI tools and learn how to turn an idea into something you can actually show someone. In the afternoon, you'll get a look inside what the pods are building and get to:

- ​See a real project up close and ask every "dumb question" you've been holding
- ​Learn by doing — you'll leave with something you actually built
- ​No prior experience needed; your outside perspective is genuinely useful here

​ **If you are an Upskiller in the Civics and Elections Build Cycle, join the Pod Sprint:** Welcome! You are invited to join a Pod (a small research team focused on a specific civic engagement challenge) in a Pod Sprint (a structured team problem-solving session).

​During the day, each person:

- ​Shares their perspective on the problem
- ​Helps identify promising directions with their Pod
- ​Chooses one idea to explore
- ​Builds a simple prototype
- ​Creates a plan to test it with a real user

​ **By the end of the day, everyone leaves with a prototype and a plan to test it in the real world.**

## ​ **Schedule:**

9:00am — **All:** Light Breakfast

- ​ **All:** Welcome (AU Hosts)

- ​ **Newcomer Track**: About The Upskilling Labs and what to expect ( [Koryn Leslie-Arcaya](https://www.linkedin.com/in/korynla/?utm_source=luma))  
- ​ **Pod Sprint Track**: Frame and orient problem statements ( **[Iliana Estévez](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilianaestevez/?utm_source=luma)**)

- ​ **Newcomer Track:** Workshop — **Design Thinking** with [Emily Modde](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-modde/?utm_source=luma)  
- ​ **Pod Sprint Track:** Lightning Talks, How Might We statements _(turning problems into questions worth solving)_

- ​ **Newcomer Track:** Workshop — Download Github, tool wayfinding, led by TBD  
- ​ **Pod Sprint Track:** Build prototypes

- ​ **Newcomer Track:** Pod Briefing

11:50 — **All:** Lunch

- ​ **Newcomer Track:** Workshop — **From Prompt to Prototype: Building your Professional Website with AJ Bubb and** **[Lovable.dev](https://lovable.dev/?utm_source=luma)** with [AJ Bubb](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajbubb/?utm_source=luma)  
- ​ **Pod Sprint Track:** Build prototypes

- ​ **Newcomer Track:** Workshop — **Working Backwards from the Outcome: A prompting workshop for people doing real work** with [Ashwin Jaiprakash](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashwin-jaiprakash-67366b24/?utm_source=luma)  
- ​ **Pod Sprint Track:** Build prototypes

3:30 — **All:** Pod member prototype presentations  
4:30 — **All:** Depart for Happy Hour

## **Getting to the Hackathon**

- ​ **Drive, bike or Rideshare** to --> 3501 Nebraska Ave NW  
- ​ **Park** in the East Campus Lot. Map [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AhMsa71dhtuo-PP1BCRHdJABXaaa2jAN/view?usp=sharing&utm_source=luma). Parking rate is $2/hour.  
- ​ **Metro**: Tenleytown metro station is the closest (D90 bus drops you off out front). Check [Metro](https://www.wmata.com/?utm_source=luma) for best route.

## **About The Upskilling Labs:**  
The Upskilling Labs is an open, project-based learning community prioritizing building real things with real people. Every quarter, we run a “Build Cycle” themed around an industry or topic — participants form “pods” around real problems, develop and test AI-enabled solutions together, and showcase what they've built. No credentials required. Just show up ready to learn alongside others. [theupskillinglabs.org](https://theupskillinglabs.org/?utm_source=luma)

**Location**
3501 Nebraska Ave NW  
Washington, DC 20016, USA  
American University - Constitution Hall