We will outline a growing collaboration between ESIIL and MS-CC to design hackathons that lower barriers to participation in environmental data science. To date, three events have been held: one alongside the 2025 MS-CC Annual Meeting in Nashville, and campus-based hackathons at Fort Valley State University and West Virginia State University. These events engaged participants in applied projects such as developing environmental footprint calculators, using machine learning to predict livestock health, and evaluating cyberphysical environmental monitoring systems. Across settings, the partnership has emphasized accessible, beginner-friendly approaches that introduce open data science tools including Python, Jupyter Notebooks, Large Language Models (LLMs) and GitHub. This work represents a shift from traditional competitive hackathon models toward scaffolded, learning-centered experiences that prioritize skill-building, collaboration, and real-world relevance. The ESIIL-MS-CC partnership offers a promising model for expanding participation in environmental data science through inclusive, tool-focused training environments.