NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge: Best Practices for Virtual Capacity Building from the Largest Global Hackathon

Abstract:

This presentation will examine best practices for virtual capacity building, drawing on examples from NASA’s International Space Apps Challenge. Since its inception in 2012, Space Apps has become the largest global hackathon, engaging thousands of citizens across the world. For 48 hours, participants come together and use NASA’s open data to build innovative solutions to challenges we face on Earth and in space.

In-person events have been central to the Space Apps model since the beginning. In 2019, Space Apps engaged more than 30,000 people in 225 locations from 71 countries. In recent years, however, NASA has prioritized the growth of virtual participation, which has allowed for people to participate from anywhere in the world. For the 2019 event, the program more than doubled the number of virtual participants (from 876 to 2,296). With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Space Apps events have moved entirely online. Our first experiment was the all-virtual Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge (May 30-31, 2020), which attracted more than 15,000 people from 150 countries. All participants used our customized online platform to find teammates and tackle challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to ongoing restrictions, Space Apps 2020 (Oct 2-4) will be entirely virtual as well.

This paper will explore the program’s transition from in-person events around the world to an all-virtual environment. We will share best practices, including the creation of a customized web platform that allows for virtual team formation, chat rooms, and project submission; the recruitment of hundreds of volunteers to assist with online support; and the development of a Space Apps “Virtual Bootcamp,” which provides virtual trainings and connects participants with subject-matter experts. The presentation will feature lessons learned from the October 2020 event, as well as a brief discussion (in line with AGU’s theme) regarding the role of hackathons in the future of science at NASA and beyond.