September 30, 2020 Read 3 Min

NASA Space Apps Challenge Kuala Lumpur 2020 Is Back!

Except this year, Snappymob is proud to be a supporting partner of the biggest Global Hackathon Challenge.

NASA Space Apps Challenge Kuala Lumpur 2020 Is Back!

NASA Space Apps Challenge Kuala Lumpur is back, and this year, Snappymob is proud to be a supporting partner of this year’s biggest virtual Global Hackathon challenge!

Yes, you read it right. For 2020, the challenge is going virtual!

This means you get to join the three-day event of Webinar Conferences, Hackathon and Ideathon, while contributing to society in the fight of curbing COVID-19, by just staying home. Sounds good, doesn’t it? 

And no, going virtual doesn’t mean less interaction. Participants can interact with mentors, speakers and other participants using the Space Apps Challenge Discord Channel during the conference! 

Here are the details on the event and how to be part of it.

Event Dates

The event will run from Friday, 2nd October 2020 to Sunday, 4th October 2020. Make sure you don’t miss out, mark down these special dates!

Conference

2-3 October 2020

Hacking/Ideathon

3 October 2020 (12:01 a.m.) – 4 October 2020 (11:59 p.m.)

Theme and Categories

The theme for 2020 is “Take Action”, a reminder that you can be a part of the solution to our world’s challenges. To participate, you need to choose from the seven available categories or challenges to solve. The categories are:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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?

4. 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.

5. Confront

From natural disasters to social and economic inequality, there comes a time when we must confront the problems we detect. 

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?

6. 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.

7. Invent Your Own

Pose 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.

Participating

This event is open to everyone, including students, working adults, experienced or non-experienced tech enthusiasts from anywhere in Malaysia. No event fee is required.

The process

Register
Choose a challenge to solve
Start hacking on 3rd Oct 2020, 12:01 a.m.
Create a 3-minute pitching video and upload it on YouTube
Include the link of your project (resources, websites, github site, etc) & Pitching video via the provided submission form before 4th Oct 2020, 11:59 p.m.
Winners will be announced in 30 days

Rewards

Up to RM10,000 worth of cash prizes await, including prizes for each category! Here’s a breakdown of the rewards:

Hackathon

Winner: RM3,000
First Runner-up: RM2,000
Second Runner-up: RM1,000

Ideathon

RM 1,000

Besides cash prizes, all registered participants who complete the event will receive an e-certificate. So even if you don’t win, you get an official acknowledgement for being part of the biggest global hackathon challenge!

Sounds exciting? Buckle up and alert your best team!

Links

For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and more information on the event, visit the official website at https://www.spaceappsmy.com/ 

To register as a participant, visit https://bit.ly/346aWox  

To like and follow the event’s Facebook page for updates and announcements, visit https://www.facebook.com/SpaceAppsMY/