NASA Space Apps Chicago 2023 was supported by:

Congratulations to our winning team, The Intergalactic Programming Federation (check out their project here: https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2023/find-a-team/the-intergalactic-programming-federation/?tab=project).! Thank you to CIERA for hosting. Thank you to all the incredible students who brought their skills and passion to make this an incredible event. Our team will be back in 2024. See you in October!

Additional Resources

CIERA Northwestern

Undergraduate research opportunities (open to everyone, not just Northwestern students): https://sites.northwestern.edu/cierareu/

Fermilab

Internships for all levels including high school are available here: https://internships.fnal.gov

CBOE

Student internship opportunities: https://careers.cboe.com/us/en/student

Northwestern Medicine

Search for information services internships or desktop support services: https://jobs.nm.org

NewSpace Chicago

Present your ideas at the Student Space Congress: http://www.newspacechicago.com/student-space-congress/

Code Your Dreams

Use your skills to volunteer and make a difference in Chicago: https://www.codeyourdreams.org/volunteer

NASA Space Apps Chicago

Want to join our organizing team for next year? Feel free to reach out to Don at Don.Crowley@gmail.com to chat.

Chicago Hackathons

Love hackathons? Here are some other Chicago area hackathons you can participate in:

Uchicago https://uncommonhacks.com/

Northwestern https://www.wildhacks.net/

DePaul https://www.demonhacks.org/

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NASA Space Apps Chicago 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Northwestern University's Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) will be the host and non-profit partner for NASA Space Apps Chicago this year. Learn more about CIERA's mission.

This year we have an incredible opportunity for you to learn about space and science, network with like minded participants, show off your skills on real world problems with real world data, and have some fun!

HOW IT WORKS

Participants sign up and form teams ahead of time or at the event. Don't have a team? Don't worry, we'll help you form one.
NASA provides 20+ challenges for teams to tackle. Choose one that fits your interest and get started. 2023 challenges can be found here: https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2023/challenges/
Participants work on challenges through the day. We will set aside a time to take a break and hear from our sponsor companies.
CIERA staff will be on hand to answer questions and talk about hackathon topics.
Participants are welcome to work through the night at CIERA facilities or leave and return on Sunday morning.
On Sunday, presentations are given in front of our panel of judges. A winner is decided and prizes handed out. Projects are submitted to NASA Space Apps International to compete in the global competition.

Hackathon FAQs

When and where will the event take place?

October 7-8, 2023
CIERA facilities, 1800 Sherman Ave, Fl 8 in Evanston: (map)
Doors officially open: 10/7 at 7:00 AM
Doors officially close: 10/8 at 5:00 PM Please consider where you will work on your challenge after this time.
You can come and go, but we won't be letting anyone back in between 10:00 PM, Oct 7-7:00 AM, Oct 8

Do I need to register with a team?

Teams can be formed at the event or ahead of time in our Slack. If you haven't received a Slack invite, please contact us.

Do I need to be an expert on space?

Nope

Who should participate?

Space Apps is for everyone, including those who have never “hacked" before! All passionate problem solvers, from students to life-long learners, are encouraged to join. While some of our challenges are technical, others ask you to use artistic skills, business acumen, or your imagination. Bring your enthusiasm and CIERA, NASA Space Apps Chicago, and your fellow participants will help with the rest.

Does it cost anything to participate?

There is no cost to participate in the Space Apps Challenge.

Will meals be provided?

All meals are provided. We'll be asking about dietary restrictions ahead of time.

What is the minimum age to participate?

Participants under the age of 18 must be registered for the event by a parent or legal guardian and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times during the event.

If I'm coming from out of town how do I get there?

Public Transportation

CIERA's facilities are walking distance from the Metra UP-N line or the CTA Purple line from Chicago

There are multiple options for parking:

City Public Parking Garages

Maple Street Self Park: 1800 Maple Ave (Closest)
Sherman Plaza Self-Park: 821 Davis St
Church St. Self-Park: 525 Church St
Rates: https://www.cityofevanston.org/residents/parking/lots-and-garages

Street Parking

Locations and Rates: https://www.cityofevanston.org/residents/parking/parking-meters

Northwestern University Campus Parking

Closest: Lot 232, 711 Elgin
Rates: Free on weekends for up to 48 hours
https://www.northwestern.edu/transportation-parking/evanston-parking/parking-map/

So when can I get to work on my challenge?

You're officially allowed to start your challenge at 9:00 AM, Oct 7. Submissions are due at 11:59 PM, Oct 8

What should I bring with me?

Required

Laptop, charger, dongles/adapters
Photo ID

Suggested

USB drive for emergency backup
Phone charger
Spare batteries if needed
Any materials needed such as writing materials, notebooks, etc...
Personal snacks, beverages
Reusable mug/tumbler for coffee, bottle for water
Comfy clothes and shoes, layers if you think you'll get hot/cold
Headphones
Sleeping mask
Aspirin/Tylenol
Deodorant
If staying overnight, toothbrush/paste, sleeping bag/blanket/pillow, change of clothes

What are you providing?

Power strips, extension cords
Wi-Fi
Water and coffee throughout
Meals from Saturday lunch through Sunday lunch
Late-night snack

Additional participant FAQ can be found here: https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/resources/participant-faq/

For additional questions please contact NASA Space Apps Chicago at NASASpaceAppsChicago@gmail.com or contact NASA Space Apps International at info@spaceappschallenge.org.

United States

Chicago, IL