Civics & Elections
July–October 2026Learn how capacity constraints, information overload, and the digital divide are reshaping local government and community engagement. You'll work with others to explore what's happening now, what's at stake, and where new tools—including AI—can help communities automate transparency, streamline administrative workflows, and foster sustainable civic belonging together.
Weeks 1-3 (Problem Submission to Pod Formation)
The Civics & Elections build cycle kicks off with a moderated panel discussion at the the Upskilling Summit on July 14, 2026.
Weeks 4-8 (Pod Research and Experimentation)
On August 11, 2026, the 4 Pods present their problem areas at MLK Memorial Library.
Meet the Pods is the first opportunity for Upskillers participating in this build cycle to share their background and what motivates them to explore their chosen problem area and Pod(s).
Register for Meet the Pods: https://luma.com/cchdfbv9
Hackathon and Pod Sprint on August 15
On August 15, 2026, The Upskilling Labs will host a Hackathon and Pod Sprint, This day-long event will feature two tracks:
Pod sprint: Participants spend the day collaborating in Pods to explore a shared problem from multiple perspectives, identify promising opportunities, select one idea to pursue, build a simple prototype, and develop a plan to test it with real users.
Newcomer skills building: A beginner-friendly space open to the public, where newcomers learn key tools like AI prompting and rapid prototyping. You can apply these skills to your own ideas, or join a Pod to test prototypes and design.
Register for the hackathon: https://luma.com/bgow5pki
Weeks 9-12 (Prototype Building and Iteration)
On September 8, 2026, the Project teams will present their solution proposals at MLK Memorial Library.
At Meet the Projects, Upskillers will introduce their project teams and describe the prototypes they intend to build.
Register for Meet the Projects: https://luma.com/1wxnqa7c
Upskilling Summit
On October 13, 2026, the project teams will present their prototypes via an Civics and Elections Showcase. Afterward, the Civics & Elections build cycle kick-off.
Register for the the Upskilling Summit: Civics and Elections Showcase: https://luma.com/1fvjexi2
FAQ
Do I need a technical background?
No. Some projects may be technical, but many are not. Good teams need researchers, organizers, communicators, builders, and people who can ask sharp questions.
Do I need to attend everything?
No. Open Labs is designed for real life. The goal is meaningful participation, not perfect attendance.
What if I’m new to energy or climate topics?
That is completely fine. This cycle is built for mixed experience levels.
What if I already work in this field?
Great. You can deepen your thinking, meet collaborators, and help others level up while building new ideas.
