Students develop data-based solutions at NASA space apps challenge

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Dozens of Filipino students representing ten teams joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Apps Challenge hackathon in here and in and nearby Iligan City where participants used NASA’s open-source data to develop applications addressing the impacts of climate change and other environmental challenges.

(Left) Teams from Iligan City attend the NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon pitching session for solutions addressing climate change and other environmental issues.  (Right) The NASA Space Apps Challenge hackathon made a stop at the American Corner at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan earlier this month.

Founded in 2012, the NASA Space Apps Challenge is the world’s largest science hackathon that creates solutions to challenges related to Earth science and space exploration.  In 2021, 28,000 participants from 162 countries joined the competition. 

Team Baybayin - composed of marine biology and computer engineering students from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) won the hackathon hosted by the U.S. Embassy and FAB LABs Philippines at the American Corner at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.  

The team developed a web application that provides visual representations of coastal degradation to monitor coastal hazards and raise public awareness on mitigation methods.  

“With the Philippines having the third longest coastline in the world, we will continue to develop this project and explore data-driven solutions for the benefit of coastal communities,” said Team Baybayin co-founder Preus Prixor Manulat. 

To prepare them for the hackathon, participating students received guidance from experts from MSU-IIT, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, and iDEYA, the U.S. Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology Innovation Hub.  

EducationUSA also hosted an information session for students interested in completing their studies in the United States. Some 54 students joined the challenge.  

“Skills building is an important pillar of our American Spaces programs. This hackathon, including the mentoring to participants provided by NASA, increases the ability of Filipinos to address global challenges through science and technology,” said U.S. Embassy Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Pauline Anderson. 

Team Baybayin will compete at the final stage of the competition where NASA experts will assess all submitted projects.  The global winners are expected to be announced by December. (Mindanao Examiner)