Hamburg

Dear coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, space enthusiasts & problem solvers,

Welcome to the "International Space Apps Challenge 2020" HAMBURG!

The "NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2020" will be coming to Hamburg on October 2-4. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of our global community’s health and safety, this year’s hackathon will be an all-virtual event. In other words, all local events will be moved online. Our theme for this year’s event: "Take Action"! It's a critical reminder that you can make a difference, even from the comfort and safety of home.

Save the Date, the hackathon will begin Saturday, October 3 at 9:00 AM local time, when you and your team will be able to submit projects. The hackathon will end on Sunday, October 4 at 11:59 PM local time. The chat rooms and team formation will open in the week prior (see below).

THE CHALLENGES

This year's theme is "Take Action," a reminder that you can be a part of the solution to our world's challenges. Browse the challenges and choose the one that's right for you:

• Observe: Observation is critical to gathering the scientific and technical knowledge needed to take action. Space-based technologies, especially Earth-observing satellites, have given us a greater understanding of Earth and allowed us to probe into the depths of space. Challenges in this category will ask you to devise tools that make observation data more accessible for use by scientists, decision-makers, and the public.
• Inform: To make good decisions, we all must be well informed. NASA, CSA, CNES, and JAXA not only gather space-based data, but they also compile archival data and share analysis and results with policy makers, scientists, and/or the broader community. This challenge category asks you to look at space agency data with fresh eyes. Come up with effective ways for engaging others about scientific and historical information.
• Sustain: Advances in space exploration and Earth science have revealed the importance of building a sustainable future. What actions can we take to sustain our home planet, so that it is livable for future generations? And how can we sustain human life in the harsh conditions of space?
• Create: Creation lies at the heart of change. Whether it’s artwork, hardware, or a new technology, challenges in this category will ask you to imagine, build, and create awareness.
• Confront: From natural disasters to social and economic inequality, there comes a time when we must confront the problems we detect. Pick a challenge in this category to tackle a variety of issues at local, national, and/or global levels. How can technology serve as a tool for change?
• Connect: Connection empowers us to take action together. Challenges in this category will ask you to examine methods for communicating with one another, and to analyze the complex networks of people and ideas that contribute to space agency missions on Earth and in space.
• or INVENT JOUR OWN CHALLENGE: Submit your own challenge, and create a solution of your own choosing! Reminder: Solutions in this category are wonderful, but they are not eligible for global judging or awards from NASA.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Register now for free for the Space Apps HAMBURG Event by selecting the "Register" button on the right side of the page.
2. Recruit friends & coworkers: We encourage you to invite your friends along! Typical Space Apps teams have 2-6 participants (the limit is 6 members per team). Space Apps is all about collaboration and the most successful teams are often ones with a diverse set of skills and expertise -- coding, storytelling, creativity, data, science, engineering, technology, and more
3. Familiarize yourself with the Space Apps Resources. Start with the Participant FAQ .
4. Check your Inbox: Once you’ve registered, keep an eye out in your Space Apps inbox for messages from your Local Event Organizers. (Login to your account, and select “My Account” in the menu bar. You’ll see a link to “Communications” on the right-hand side.) We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
5. Connect with the Community: Follow Space Apps on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to receive the latest announcements. In mid-September, tune in to our Virtual Bootcamp to access exclusive content from NASA, Local Leads, Space Apps Ambassadors, and former Global Winners. Guests will provide relevant workshops on data and other topics, discuss challenge themes, and provide tips for having a successful hackathon experience.
6. Log in the week prior to the hackathon to join the chat rooms and start forming teams. You will be able to form a team from members of any location or create a team with other members of the Universal Event (our chat rooms will have dedicated channels for Universal Event participants). More information on these items coming soon!
7. Sharing is caring: You know someone who should definitely be there? Then simply invite them to the event or share the event in your feed #SharingIsCaring

HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE HACKATHON 7 DAYS BEFORE THE WEEKEND

CONNECT WITH YOUR LOCAL LEADS

Our name is Richard & Phil and we are your local leads at "NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2020" which is presented to you by xHACK. We’ll be available for you from now until the end of the hackathon to answer your questions, connect you to resources, and help you find teammates. Please feel free to email us with questions at info@x-HACK.de. As we receive new information about the global event, we’ll send messages to you participants through the Space Apps dashboard. Please check your Space Apps inbox for the latest news!

• Join the Chat Rooms: Space Apps chat will open more than a week prior to the hackathon. There, you can connect with the global community and search for teammates. There will also be challenge channels, where you can connect with Subject-Matter Experts (SMEs) and Space Apps Ambassadors once the hackathon starts. They will be available to answer your questions about the challenges and the data, particularly during Space Apps weekend!
• Join a Team: In the week leading up to the hackathon, you will be able to create your own team or request to join an existing team. To join an existing team, browse the teams on your location page or the challenge page of your choice.
• Submit a Project: Once the hackathon starts on October 3 at 9AM (local time), start solving! Before the event ends, remember to complete your team’s project page (where you describe your project, tell us about the data you used, and share a demonstration of your project).

FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR SPACE APPS QUESTIONS

Find basic information to guide your Space Apps journey under the “General Information” tab (above). You can also check out the Participant FAQ and other guides (on the chat rooms, team formation, and project submission), once they are available. All guides will be posted on the Resource page.

JUDGING AND AWARDS

Space Apps is all about collaboration and problem solving. However, we do offer awards to the most promising projects. More information about judging and awards can be found in the Participant FAQ and will be shared closer to the start of the hackathon.

Learn more!

Do you want to know more about the challenges, chat rooms, project submission, and awards and other important information? Please consult the Participant FAQ and other guides (once they are posted) on the Space Apps resources page and on your user dashboard.

Thank you! We’re looking forward to a fun-filled Space Apps weekend!

ABOUT xHACK

xHACK is an event series that enables changemakers like you to be part of the solution. Designed to connect scientists, technologists, innovators creative minds, entrepreneurial minded people, makers & shakers and top-tier companies, the xHACK events help you transform ideas into reality. Stay tuned and connect with us in social media:

• xHACK Social Media Channels:
  • Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/x-hack/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xhackio/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xhackevents
  • Twitter:
• The Local Leads on Linkedin:
  • Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noackrichard/
  • Phil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipmertes/