City of Mesa

| What is Hacktivate Mesa?

Hacktivate Mesa events and activities engage youth in studying community issues using data-driven approaches. This collaborative initiative between the City of Mesa, local education institutions and the private sector engages youth in civic life and provide Mesa government with a fresh approach to City issues. By understanding the youth viewpoint, cities can positively adjust their programs and services to create a better sense of belonging and produce better outcomes for future engagement. Through data science-driven events, Hacktivate Mesa brings students together to study and analyze data on Mesa’s most challenging issues while also promoting STEM, critical thinking, problem-solving, presentation skills and community involvement.  

Hacktivate Mesa events began in 2019 as an annual 2-day event for high school students. The initiative has grown to include activities throughout the year for students in 8th grade to master’s candidates in Public Administration, Public Policy and Business Analytics programs at each of Arizona’s three public universities.  

The purpose of Hacktivate Mesa is to engage youth in tackling some of the most challenging issues facing our community by:  

• Drawing on the great young minds in our community and encouraging them to use their creativity and innovate to help the City address community challenges in new and unique ways.
• Introducing students to the use of data to find and share meaning about an issue, formulate questions around the problem and identify solutions.
• Creating civic-minded individuals inspired to pursue higher education and serve their community.

Hacktivate Mesa operates under the Office for Data & Performance, which guides departments to make data-informed decisions to achieve their public purpose, reach strategic objectives and positively impact Mesa communities.  

Comments or questions? Send us an email at Hactivate@mesaaz.gov.

| How does Hacktivate Mesa work?

• Participants are grouped into teams and presented with data sets that reflect the status of vital community topics such as homelessness, behavioral/mental health, supporting Mesa’s Climate Action Plan, attracting a talented workforce, and supporting K-12 education outcomes, to name a few.
• With the mentorship of Mesa staff and volunteers from the business and non-profit sector mentor, teams analyze the data to gain understanding and develop meaningful responses to the problem.
• After intense data wrangling, analysis and presentation design, teams get the opportunity to present their findings and recommendations to judges including city council members and city management.

Desired outcomes 

• Spark critical thinking about community issues and how data can provide a framework for responding to pressing problems.
• Develop data analysis, teamwork, critical thinking, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Gain an understanding of City government and encourage youth engagement in civic life and public service.

Hacktivate Mesa 2024 Event Page