All systems go for the NASA Open Space Challenge this October!

09/13/2020 12:46:06 PM

By the start of next month, The United States space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invites coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to come together in a global, virtual hackathon. 

In a span of 48 hours – or from 2-4 October 2020 – participants from around the world will bather as they create virtual teams and solve challenges using NASA’s open-source data. 

The NASA International Space Apps Challenge hackathon will allow the next generation of scientists, technologists, designers, and engineers to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills through inspired collaboration and critical thinking. This event is designed for people interested in space science and exploration

As part of Space Apps, everyone belongs to a global hackathon community that embraces collaboration across borders, sectors, and cultures to bring about paradigm-shifting innovation. And in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic with the interest of the global community’s health and safety at the topmost priority, this year’s hackathon will be an all-virtual event. As all events shall be moved online in this unprecedented time, the Space Apps community exists as a reminder that everyone has the tools and talents to tackle the challenges facing the planet, as well as the ability to unite across boundaries and borders of all kinds.

The theme for this year, titled "Take Action," is a critical reminder that anyone can make a difference, even from the comfort and safety of home.

Just like before, other space agencies in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) of France, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will be partnering with NASA for this hackathon.

In 2016, Space Apps was introduced to the Philippines by developer and technology community leader Tzar C. Umang from Pangasinan. Since then, the country witnessed how the community grew from a group of volunteers to forging partnerships with collaborators and stakeholders. Over the years, the country has produced global winners like the dengue hotspot predictor Project AEDES and information portal G.I.D.E.O.N. measuring COVID-19 impact, both developed by CirroLytix. The country also has global finalists like Celestial Snails from De La Salle University addressing social isolation and Sentinellium, an epidemic predictor using population density data, both addressing problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

While recognition and honor were given to the Philippines by NASA and partner agencies, lead organizer Michael Lance M. Domagas hopes that the country would soon realize the importance and value of giving support and assistance in the development of these winning projects, so that fellow Filipinos would benefit from these technologies coming from outer space in times of emergencies like COVID-19 and dengue epidemic. 

"Space Apps is a perfect venue that can arouse curiosity and interest of Filipinos to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including space and Earth sciences. Our own country's support should have been a way to inspire more Filipinos and further develop winning projects," said Domagas. "Space Apps can be a program in developing "space education and promote public awareness" stated in Section 8 of the Republic Act 11363 otherwise known as the "Philippine Space Act."

"The Global Organizing Team is inspired by the journey the Philippines has with the Space Apps program. In particular, we appreciate the development of STEM in the Philippines and elsewhere, because one goal of Space Apps is to foster interest and learning in these fields worldwide," according to Matt Scott, the Global Community Director, and Storyteller.

Anyone from Central Luzon, Northern Luzon, and the rest of the Philippines can join the 2020 NASA International Space Apps Challenge by logging into the hyperlinks posted here. 

Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, SecondMuse, and the NASA Open Innovation Applied Sciences Program.

Author: slickmaster | © 2020 The SlickMaster's Files