NASA International Space Apps Challenge Hackathon returns to Folsom CA on October 7 & 8, 2023

A local team has formed to host a NASA International Space Apps Hackathon for the Sacramento region in 2023. The Space Apps event, or hackathon, is a free global event happening simultaneously in hundreds of cities around the world. This year the NASA Hackathon is the weekend of October 7th and 8th (9am-5pm). For Sacramento area participants, there will also be a Friday evening informal kickoff and meet-and-greet. Granite City Coworking (led by Kyle Middleton, ChFC ) in downtown historic Folsom will be the venue for the event all weekend.?

The NASA International Space Apps Hackathon is an experience where community scientists, coders, technologists, designers, students, artists, storytellers and innovators come together to solve some of our most pressing problems on Earth and in Space. Everyone who registers joins or creates a team. There are 29 Challenges created by NASA experts that teams can choose from. Or a team can create their own project for the weekend.

Teams can be formed now through Saturday morning. Then everyone gets straight to work on creating solutions. On Sunday the hackathon culminates with team presentations (or “pitches”) that are judged by local business leaders, aerospace experts, and investors. Challenges range from Beginner/Youth ages to Advanced and from Climate to Medical, Engineering, Games and Art. Results and testimonials from previous years have demonstrated that the most innovative collaboration happens when people of all ages and backgrounds participate.

The annual NASA International Space Apps Challenge began in 2012. Since then it has had more than 220,000 registrants in 320 locations encompassing 185+ countries and 11 Space Agencies. Initially, “Space Apps” was only about Space Science. Now it has grown to also include Earth Sciences, Arts, and Humanities challenges alongside technology, thereby building a more inclusive program.

Ingrid Rosten , the local lead for the Folsom regional event, describes what she enjoys most about it.

“What I love about this hackathon is bringing the community of all ages together in solving real world and space problems. We need it now more than ever! It’s fun and together we can make a big difference locally and globally. On top of all that there are some very cool prizes provided by NASA and our local sponsors.”??

The program is sponsored by Granite City Coworking , Northern California Innovation District (NCID), the Sacramento Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics (AIAA ), and Aero Maestro Book Publishing (owned by Brett Hoffstadt, PMP, P.E. ).

Go to https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2023/challenges/ to see the Challenges for this year’s event.

Go to https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2023/locations/folsom-ca/ to register for updates and participation.

This world-changing innovation event is happening soon in Folsom. Don't be constrained by your pre-conceived ideas about who can contribute or participate. It has been designed to bring out the best from everyone, all ages and backgrounds. And volunteers are a crucial ingredient. Contact us to be a part of it!