At Space Apps events, teams of technologists, scientists, designers and entrepreneurs work together to develop answers to some of the most pressing challenges on earth and space using publicly available NASA data.

International Space Apps Challenge 2016 Islamabad will be kicked off at the Institute of Space and Technology Islamabad on 22nd April 2016. Almost around 100 participants are expected to join coming from around the country. Last year participants came to join the event from Peshawar, Gujranwala and Lahore.

2016 Challenges

You may have already explored the challenges for this year. Challenges are divided into six categories, namely Technology, Aeronautics, Space Station, Solar System, Earth and Journey to Mars. By clicking on any of them you can see the specific challenges you are invited to solve, accompanied by description, considerations, data resources, contact details and the level of difficulty. You can also use the discussion area or contact the NASA team in charge for each challenge directly if you have content-specific questions.

Location

The year's event will take place at the Institue of Space and Technology, Islamabad Highway. Find your way here.

You will be able to enter the building only from the main entrance.

Practical Information

Registration

It is free to participate in the event, but registration is required for several reasons. First of all, we need your names for the badges and in order for you to submit your solutions you need to be officially registered on the official site. It would be also nice if you edit your profile and add information about your background (e.g. developer, designer, entrepreneur etc.) to include in the badge, especially if you are looking for team members.

The allocated capacity for the event is 100 people and we are close to this number. Maybe at the time you are reading these lines we are already full, but you can join the waiting list.

Registration for the bootcamp day is independent. So if you have registered for the Space Apps you have not automatically registered for the Bootcamp day on Sunday. To do so, click on the tab ‘Data Bootcamp’.

Hardware

Bring your own hardware with you (e.g. laptop, Arduinos and in general whatever you are planning to use).

Internet Connectivity

Provided you have registered through the official website, on your badge/notice board you will find your Internet password.

Food and Bevargaes

The University Cafeteria will remain open for Space Apps. You will be able to buy a meal their for Lunch. This year participants will have to buy their own Lunch.

Housekeeping rules

• Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the building.
• We are sure you will, but please help us in keeping the place clean and tidy (use the trash bags and bins around).
• Take care of your personal belongings at all times.

Volunteers

Amazing volunteers will be around to help you. Look for them if you need help.

FAQs

How does registration work?

Everyone will register individually. Teams submitting projects can be identified by their team when the project is submitted. Individual participants must be registered to their team's site on spaceappschallenge.org in order to be eligible for global awards.

Is the registration individual or by team?

Participants will need to register as individuals not teams. Participants will form project teams at the Space Apps event and teams will submit their projects by creating a project page.

How many people can participate on a team?

There's no limit to the number of people that can participate on a team. As many (or as few) as you'd like to have. We particularly encourage teams to meet and collaborate with new people who have very different skills. Bringing together very diverse skills and talents is often a key to breakthrough innovation! Sweet spot for teams are typically 4 to 5 - if it gets too big, it can be hard to focus, if it is too small, you may not have all the skills/knowledge needed.

Should teams work on solving one problem (which means one problem per team) or can they attempt to work on many challenges?

Yes, you only have a weekend! Also, you can only submit your solution for one challenge in terms of global judging.

Which coding platforms can we code on?

There should not be any restrictions on how you can code and what platform you use. Please use an open platform, like Github.

Where will participants access the data for the challenges?

Many of the challenge statements will include links to resources and datasets that are relevant in addressing those challenges. Other data to use and explore will also be available from data.nasa.gov.

Can people start working on the challenges as soon as they are published ?

Participants are able to work on projects ahead of time, but teams will only be judged on work completed at the hackathon.

Can participants take part in more than one team/challenge?

Yes. The person(s) just need to remember to join the additional projects.

Is it possible for a team to come up with their own project if they are not inspired by the challenges or is it mandatory to pick one of the challenges?

We encourage participants to build projects in response to one of the challenges and in order to be eligible for global judging, teams will need to submit a solution to one of the challenges. If people are inspired and have a great idea, they can build a project that is not in response into a particular challenge.

How are projects/solutions submitted?

Every team is responsible to ensure they create a project page on spaceappschallenge.org and that the page includes a project description and links to any code or diagrams.

The plan for the weekend is simple. It’s all about creating, innovating and collaborating. The deadline for you to finish your projects is Sunday 24/4 at 1 pm. Every team (one memebr per team) shall create a project page on spaceappschallenge.org which will include project title, description, photo, links to any code/ diagrams or resources used and a space to give recognition to the other members of the team. After you submit (deadline: Sunday 1 pm) you will pitch your idea in front of everyone and the judging committee. You only have 4’ for this. Storytelling and presentation skills will really make a difference as you can imagine ;) Here is a guide for you that might help.

Below you can see the schedule for 22nd to 24th:

INTERNATIONAL SPACE APPS CHALLENGE

April 22-24, 2016

PROGRAM

FRIDAY-APRIL 22, 2016

15:00:00 Bus Departs from confirmed location

16:30:00 Doors open, Attendees coming

Opening Ceremony

17:00:00 Opening Remarks: Shakeel Shafiq (SpaceApps Curator)

17:15:00 Welcome Remarks: Dr. Najam

17:30:00 Keynote Speaker I:

17:45:00 Keynote Speaker II:

18:00:00 Tea + Networking (Group Photo)

18:30:00 Team Formation / Team formation/combobulation/Ideas Discussion with mentors

19:30:00 Doors Closed / Transport Starts

SATURDAY - APRIL 23, 2016

9:00:00 Bus Departs from confirmed location

10:00:00 Doors Open

10:00:00 Team's Brainstorming

10:15:00 Development Starts | Building

12:00:00 Talk I:

13:00:00 LUNCH

14:00:00 Development Starts

15:00:00 Mentors Meetings with Team

19:00:00 Doors Closed / Transport Starts

SUNDAY - APRIL 24, 2016

9:00:00 Bus Departs from confirmed location

10:00:00 Doors Open

10:15:00 Development Starts

11:00:00 Pitch coaching & presentation development

13:00:00 LUNCH

2:00 PM Judgment

5:00 PM VIP Talk I:

5:30 PM VIP Talk II:

5:30PM Awards, Prizes and Group Photo

6:00PM Closing Tea