Announcements
TSCW and NASA Space Apps Launch SpaceHack: A Hackathon STEAM Program for High School Students Inspired by Nikola Tesla
[Shoreham, June 13, 2024] – Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe (TSCW) is thrilled to announce that we have been selected as a 2024 host site for the NASA Space Apps Challenge. As we gear up for the main event, we are proud to share the launch of SpaceHack – Designing Tomorrow, Today. This pioneering educational program for high school students in collaboration with NASA and other space agencies will prepare our youth participants for the Space Apps Challenge slated for October 5-6th. Inspired by the innovative spirit of Nikola Tesla, this SpaceHack program aims to ignite scientific curiosity, foster teamwork, and promote social responsibility among high school students in grades 9 through 11.
Rising in popularity over the last decade, hackathons have become a strategy to fuel creativity, from beginners to Fortune 100 companies. The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is the largest annual global hackathon, inspiring collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. This two-day event creates innovation through international collaboration by providing an opportunity for participants to utilize NASA’s free and open data and its Space Agency Partners’ space-based data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space.
During the hackathon, NASA Space Apps Challenge participants around the world gather at hundreds of in-person and virtual Local Events to address challenges submitted by NASA Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). These challenges range in complexity and topic, tasking participants with everything from creating artistic visualizations of NASA data to conceptualizing and developing informational apps and software programs. After the hackathon, project submissions are judged by space agency experts and winners are selected for one of 10 Global Awards.
In the months leading up to the Fall event, our TSCW SpaceHack program will consist of a series of seminars to prepare and excite our local Long Island high schoolers to participate in the Space Apps Challenge event. SpaceHack is a dynamic two-part program comprising Educational Training sessions and an Internal Collaborative Hackathon. Students will first dive into the fundamentals of problem solving and developing apps during two to three Saturday workshops, preparing them for the Space Apps hackathon challenge. At Space Apps, they’ll harness their newfound skills to devise solutions that could benefit both life on Earth and in space and be connected to people all over the world participating in the event. The program’s distinctive structure ensures an engaging learning experience, spotlighting the values of exploration, collaboration, and innovation.
Nikola Tesla’s work as a scientific pioneer ushered in the Space Age, providing the foundation for modern radio technology, wireless communication, robotics, and remote-control technology. His visionary experiments and theories have paved the way for advances in space exploration and understanding the universe. These programs are designed to echo Tesla’s innovative spirit, encouraging students to explore, innovate, and contribute to scientific advancements, just as Tesla did in his time.
Join us for the SpaceHack Program and the NASA Space Apps Challenge, as we embark on a stellar journey inspired by Nikola Tesla’s legacy, push the boundaries of what is possible through creativity and technology, and nurture the next generation of innovators and explorers.
Ideal Student Profile:
- Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 with an interest in any science field.
- Creative minds fascinated by design, game creation, and brimming with curiosity.
- Individuals passionate about making a difference, embodying a volunteer spirit, social consciousness, and environmental focus.
SpaceHack Educational Training Sessions: Near TSCW, details to be announced. Two to Three Saturday workshops from 10 AM to 3 PM, including a mandatory session for Space Apps hackathon participants. A nominal fee of $25 per session, with scholarships available.
NASA Space Apps Challenge: This Hackathon Event with TSCW, NASA, and Other Agencies is slated for October 5 and 6, featuring comprehensive team-building activities and a challenge competition. TSCW local site details to be announced.
Registration and Volunteer Opportunities: Interested parties can join the waiting list or inquire about volunteer and mentorship roles by providing relevant details through the linked form or contacting volunteer@teslasciencecenter.org with “Scholarship” in the subject line for scholarship information.
About Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe:
Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe (TSCW) was established with the objective of acquiring and preserving the last remaining laboratory of Nikola Tesla at Wardenclyffe. After raising $1.37 million from over 33,000 donors across 108 countries, TSCW was successful in acquiring the 16.43-acre property designed by renowned architect Stanford White. Since then, the center has initiated the process of restoring and redeveloping the site.
Presently, with more than $12.5 million raised towards a $20 million capital campaign and the necessary permits in place, construction has begun for the first phase of a multi-phase project. The center, listed on the National Historic Register and supported by a growing community of 165,000, is steadfast in its commitment to transform the site into a science center of global significance.
TSCW is dedicated to honoring Tesla’s spirit of invention, offering innovative learning experiences, advancing new technologies, and safeguarding Tesla’s legacy within a dedicated museum. It is through this mission that TSCW intends to inspire future generations to delve into science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), offering a variety of events and educational programs to achieve this.
Contact: SpaceHack@Teslasciencecenter.org, mcaprio@Teslasciencecenter.org
