NASA Space Apps NYC Pre-Hackathon Symposium presentation by Karen Lopez, InfoAdvisors and NASA Datanaut. Karen presents on how to successfully manage your time and deliverables in the NASA Space Apps Challenge no matter where you are participating.

1. MANAGE YOUR TIME SO IT
DOESN’T MANAGE YOU
LESS STRESS, MORE SUCCESS
KAREN LOPEZ
SPACE APPS CHALLENGE AMBASSADOR
NASA DATANAUT

2. I HOPE YOU ARE AS EXCITED AS WE
AMBASSADORS ARE!

3. LET’S TALK
ABOUT
YOUR
PROJECT
AND TIME

4. ACTUAL PROJECT
Could consume all your time
Is often the most stressful, until
…it’s time to deliver

5. THERE’S A COUNTDOWN AT THE END
BE PREPARED BY THINKING OF
YOUR DELIVERABLES FIRST

6. DELIVERABLES
Depends on the type of challenge
(code, UI, hardware, art, ideas, etc.)
Includes a “Demo” (how your
project works)
Uses a submission form to ensure
completeness

7. JUDGING TIPS
Completeness Challenge fit Innovation /
Inspiration /
Impact Data / Resources /
Science

8. GLOBAL AWARDS
Best Use of Science
• The solution that makes the
best and most valid use of
science and/or the scientific
method.
Best Use of Data
• The solution that best makes
space data accessible or
leverages it to a unique
application.
Best Use of Technology
• The solution that exemplifies
the most innovative use of
technology.
Galactic Impact
• The solution with the most
potential to improve life on
Earth or in the universe.
Best Mission Concept
• The solution with the most
plausible concept and design.
Most Inspirational
• The solution that captures
our hearts.
Best Storytelling Award
(NEW)
• The solution that most
creatively communicates the
potential of open data
through the art of
storytelling.
Global Connection
Award (NEW)
• The solution that best
connects people around the
world through technology.
Art & Technology
Award (NEW)
• The solution that most
effectively combines
technical and creative skills.
Local Impact Award
(NEW)
• The solution that
demonstrates the greatest
potential for local impact.

9. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION
• ENSURE YOU FOLLOW
ALL THE RULES
• ENSURE YOU ANSWER
ALL THE SUBMISSION
QUESTIONS
COMPLETELY
• ENSURE YOU ENJOY
YOUR TIME

10. DATA CRITERIA
SOURCES OPEN DATA

11. USING OPEN
DATA
Study the challenge
Finding the right data takes longer than you think
Understanding the data will take longer than you think
Look for Metadata and other documentation that comes with the
data
Ask questions of SMEs early in the project
Dataset Owners likely won’t be available to answer your questions.

13. “Soloman noticed that when
nothing hit the detector, a
negative reading was being
recorded. But you cannot get
negative energy.Thus, he
contacted scientists at the US
space agency. It turned out that
Soloman had noticed
something no-one else had,
including the NASA experts.
-1 as as a Faux NULL

14. YOU WILL NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE
DATA. BUDGET TIME FOR THAT.

15. KAREN’S RECOMMENDED PROCESS
Find the
data/Resources for
the challenge
Understand the
data and ask
questions from
SMEs in RocketChat
Understand the
submission
questions
Assign
responsibility to
each team member
to answer
question(s)
Plan for how you
will demo your
project
Set time boxes for
each of your project
phases
Start your project
Develop your demo
& answers as you
go
Submit your project
giving ample time
to submit it (30
minutes or more)

16. DEMO
You’ll need to show
how your solution
works
Video
Screenshots
Slides
Diagrams
Ensure you have tools to do this prior
to event
Know how to use them prior to the
event

17. USE THE HELP FOR 2021
HTTPS://WWW.SPACEAPPSCHALLENGE.ORG/RESOURCES/

18. TO ENSURE
YOU MEET
ALL THE
CRITERIA
Read, and re-read the criteria and rules
Study the challenge
Timebox your tasks so that you can be complete
Start your submission now. Leave time to submit

19. MORE TIPS
Ask questions in Rocketchat
Ambassadors are here to help you find answers, if we can
Don’t wait to submit right before the challenge closes
Make sure you have fully shown how your project works
Make sure you have fully shown how your project meets the
challenge
Give yourselves congratulations when you are done!

20. BE GREAT
KAREN LOPEZ
@DATACHICK
SEE YOU ON ROCKETCHAT!