NEWS RELEASE
LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY
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On Oct. 5 and 6, Lakehead University is hosting the 2024 NASA International Space Apps Challenge, presented by the City of Orillia’s Business Development, Tourism and Modernization Division, at the university’s Orillia Campus.
The Space Apps Challenge is an opportunity for people — from students to seasoned professionals — to come together and tackle some of Earth’s most pressing challenges. Participants will collaborate over 48 hours to develop solutions using NASA’s open data to address real-world issues on Earth and in space.
Registration is still open, and people of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds are welcome to attend. It’s not just for coders or data analysts – storytellers, artists, social workers, environmental scientists, psychologists, aspiring entrepreneurs, engineers, teachers, and space-science enthusiasts are encouraged to participate.
“We are so excited to bring this event to Simcoe County and Muskoka,” said Rebecca Heffernan, Director of Economic Development & Research Support, and co-lead, NASA Space Apps Challenge - Orillia location. “Hackathon-style competitions bring together such a diverse community of problem-solvers, and we can’t wait to see what solutions emerge this year out of Orillia.”
This year's theme celebrates the sun’s influence on Earth and the entire solar system. Participants will have the opportunity to tackle one of the 20 challenges written by NASA subject matter experts. The challenges will invite participants to use their ingenuity and skills to propose new technologies, find actionable use for data, and inspire learning and innovation through storytelling, software development, and more. Challenges will vary in level of difficulty and topics will range from climate issues to exoplanets, utilizing Landsat data, observing the influence of geomagnetic storms, and more.
“Participants from all over the community – elementary students, high school students as well as college and university students – will come together at the event to build their communication, innovation, and problem-solving skills,” explained Jessica Lovett, Director of Career Services and Co-op and co-lead, NASA space apps challenge - Orillia location. “We love that representatives from industry and economic development teams are also involved. This event will help students expand their network and prepare for their future careers.”
Previous Space Apps projects have ranged from comic books to mobile apps. In addition to the chance to win local and global prizes, everyone who submits a project before midnight on Oct. 6 will get a certificate from NASA.
“The NASA Space Apps Challenge aligns with the City’s ongoing commitment to cultivating an innovation-driven economy in Orillia,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “Events like this highlight the importance of collaboration, creativity, and forward-thinking solutions. We are proud to sponsor this event, which empowers individuals to tackle global challenges while also nurturing local talent and innovation.”
Get Involved!
- Compete as a participant: Gather your team or join one on the spot to engage in hands-on problem-solving. You’ll use data, tools, and resources provided by NASA to create solutions in response to a variety of challenges.
- Become a Mentor: Are you a subject matter expert, professional, or educator in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM)? Consider becoming a mentor or volunteer to guide teams through the challenge, offering advice and insights.
How to Register
Interested participants, volunteers, and mentors can sign up through the Lakehead’s official NASA Space Apps Challenge website.
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