GHC 2026 Workshop Proposal

Code, Culture &
Constellation Quests

Gamifying the Grace Hopper Celebration Experience — a bingo-style scavenger hunt blending code challenges, AI content creation, and collaborative networking across the Anaheim Convention Center.

Explore the Star Map View Challenges

Anaheim Convention Center October 27–30, 2026

001

The Challenge

Conference Networking Deserves an Upgrade

30,000+ technologists

attend GHC annually, yet the best connections still happen by accident — not by design.

Passive Networking

Traditional badge-scanning and hallway conversations miss deeper engagement opportunities

No Portfolio Building

Attendees leave without tangible artifacts documenting their conference journey

Missed Pillar Alignment

GHC's four pillars (Train, Hire, Fund, Advance) lack interactive touchpoints

002

The Solution

The Constellation Quest

A bingo-style scavenger hunt for GHC 2026 that weaves code challenges, AI content creation, and collaborative networking into a 5×5 star-map board. Teams of four solve challenges together, building real connections aligned with GHC's pillars.

Code Challenges

Mini-puzzles in Python, geolocation unlocks, and API-driven secret reveals woven into a 5×5 star map board

AI Content Creation

AI-assisted highlight reels, portfolio pages, and shareable conference content built collaboratively

Collaborative Networking

Teams of 4 solve challenges together, building real connections aligned with GHC's Train, Hire, Fund, Advance pillars

60-min workshop session → ~2hr self-guided quest across the Anaheim Convention Center

Challenge Type 01

Geolocation Unlocks

Navigate the Anaheim Convention Center using open-source GIS tools and the browser Geolocation API.

Visit sponsor booths, find hidden QR codes near career fair zones
Check in at keynote halls and workshop rooms to unlock constellation stars
Map your team journey using open-source GIS libraries

JavaScript

navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(
  (pos) => {
    if (isWithinZone(pos.coords, BOOTH_ZONES.careerFair)) {
      unlockStar('career-fair-visit');
    }
  }
);

Challenge Type 02

Python Micro-Puzzles

Collaborative Jupyter notebooks provide accessible, bite-sized coding challenges for all skill levels.

Decode hidden messages with base64 encoding
Visualize GHC attendance data with matplotlib
Crack ciphers inspired by Grace Hopper's legacy
Map team journeys using open-source GIS libraries

Python

import base64
encoded = "R3JhY2UgSG9wcGVyIDIwMjY="
decoded = base64.b64decode(encoded)
print(decoded.decode('utf-8'))
# Output: "Grace Hopper 2026"

Challenge Type 03

API-Driven Secret Stars

Hidden challenges are revealed through REST API calls. Teams learn to authenticate with their GHC badge tokens, chain multiple endpoints together, and parse JSON responses to unlock exclusive conference perks.

Badge token authentication
Endpoint chaining & JSON parsing
Exclusive perks: priority keynote seating, speaker meet-and-greets

JavaScript

const res = await fetch('/api/stars/secret', {
  headers: { 'Authorization': `Badge ${badgeToken}` }
});
const { starId, hint } = await res.json();
revealStar(starId);

003

Interactive Demo

The 5×5 Star Map

Click any star to explore the challenge details. Each cell represents a unique quest combining geolocation, Python puzzles, API calls, AI content creation, and social networking.

Star Map Progress1/25 Stars Discovered

Geolocation

Python

API

AI Content

Social

004

Architecture

Modular Tech Stack

A lightweight, modular game engine built on Node.js. Low-code and no-code options ensure accessibility for all skill levels.

⚡

Node.js Engine

Lightweight modular game engine. Each bingo star backed by mini-code challenges.

📓

Python Notebooks

Collaborative Jupyter notebooks for micro-puzzles, data viz, and cipher challenges.

🔌

REST APIs

Badge-authenticated endpoints for secret star reveals and challenge validation.

🗺️

Open-Source GIS

Geolocation tools for venue navigation, zone unlocks, and journey mapping.

🤖

AI Content Tools

AI-assisted highlight reels, portfolio pages, and shareable conference content.

🧩

Low-Code Options

No-code alternatives for every challenge. Accessible to all skill levels.

005

Session Flow

60-Minute Session, 2-Hour Quest

Session: 60 minutesActivity: ~2 hoursTeam Size: 4 attendeesSkill Level: All levelsRequirements: Laptop + badge

Phase 1