FAQ

FAQ

What is the International Space Apps Challenge (ISAC)?
Why should I participate?
What are the challenges?
Where and when is the Baltimore/Washington D.C. Corridor ISAC event?
Who may sign up?
How do I register?
How do I join a team?
May I bring sleeping materials?
Who do I contact to ask questions about the local event?
Is the event only for software developers?
How do I get to the event?
If I want to assist with the event, what can I provide and whom do I contact?

 

What is the International Space Apps Challenge (ISAC)?

The International Space Apps Challenge is a global event composed of more than 100 local events and virtual participation from individuals around the world.
The International Space Apps Challenge is technology development event that draws on the talents and initiative of bright minded volunteers – developers, engineers, technologists, designers, and anyone with a passion and desire to make an immediate impact on the world.
The event embraces engagement and collaborations across borders, sectors and populations to bring about paradigm-shifting innovation around the world.

Why should I participate?

The International Space Apps Challenge demonstrates the application of untapped, unexpected, uncharted expertise in helping organizations solve tough challenges.
It’s about rethinking and remixing what is known with what isn’t, and creating a pipeline for introducing and implementing new or recombinant ideas.

What are the challenges?

At the International Space Apps Challenge we open up challenges of space exploration and social need and empower citizens around the world to solve those challenges.
The event engages a broad group of diverse participants in collective deliberation and action focused on generating innovative and relevant solutions to pressing problems.
The exploration of space is, by necessity, a unified international effort – and diversity of experience and perspective inevitably produces a better product.
The event draws on the talents and initiative of people from around the world, who volunteer their time to respond to real-world problems.
Each team will choose a challenge from one of the event themes (categories) and design a response to that challenge.

Where and when is the Baltimore/Washington D.C. Corridor ISAC event?

The local 2018 event is on the 20th and 21st of October, from 8a.m. Saturday to 7pm on Sunday at Johns Hopkins University
3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, Hodson Hall. See our location page for driving directions.

Who may sign up?

All ages are welcome, but we encourage ages 13 and up. However, those under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult the entire time that they are at the event, and may not stay at the Lab past 10 p.m. Groups of young participants may be supervised by 1 adult.

How do I register?

You will be able to register at the beginning of the event as well, but the registration line may be quite long, which will reduce the time you have to participate during the event.

The online registration page should be available in mid September, in the meantime, you can join our Facebook event!

How do I join a team?

If you are not a part of a team and would be interested in joining a team when you arrive the day of the event, simply let someone in registration know and they will do their best to find you a team to join. There is no guarantee that a team will be available for you to join and you may have to work on your own.

May I bring sleeping materials?

Yes, sleeping bag, blankets, and pillows are allowed.

Who do I contact to ask questions about the local event?

Please send an email to spaceappsbw@gmail.com and we will reply as soon as possible.

If I want to assist with the event, what can I provide and whom do I contact?

If you are interested in being a sponsor or a partner, please send an email to spaceappsbw@gmail.com as soon as possible. There are a number of ways we can promote an organization that becomes a partner or sponsor of the event before and during the challenge, which will be provided to you when you send an email request for information to spaceappsbw@gmail.com. In general, we are looking for the following from our partners and sponsors:

  • USB drives
  • Office supplies
    • Pens, pencils, highlighters, stapler, paper
    • Whiteboard/Blackboard/Large Paper Flip Charts
    • Dry erase pens/chalk/markers
  • Swag
  • Snacks
  • Volunteers
  • Donations
  • Prizes

Is the event only for software developers?

No, anyone with an interest in space and a creative mind set may participate. Teams have a real need for technologists, scientists, designers, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, presenters, developers and students. All that is required to participate is a unique idea and a presentation to discuss the solution.