New Innovative Technology Challenge Coming
11/03/2020
The Department of Innovation, Information Technology Services and the Geospatial Institute (GeoSLU) will hold another Innovative Technology Challenge to build on the success of their first challenge and to advance accessible geospatial innovation and foster creative ideas.
The focus of this year’s challenge is the innovative application of open source geospatial data and/or tools to address a problem.
A series of information sessions about the challenge are planned. The challenge’s registration deadline is Friday, Dec. 18.
About This Year’s Innovative Technology Challenge
- Unlike proprietary products, open source content is available to everyone to use, study, change, and distribute for any purpose.
- Example projects might include:
- Using open source software such as QGIS to characterize urban landscapes and identify green spaces.
- Tapping into datasets on the AWS Data Exchange to help guide local responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Location-focused mobile applications and engaging maps to help students connect around shared interests.
- Leveraging remote sensing data to apply computer vision for informed decision making.
- Applying spatial artificial intelligence techniques such as machine learning and image processing for public health or humanitarian mapping.
No prior experience or expertise in geospatial concepts is needed to participate.
Register for and Attend an Information Session
All interested students (undergraduate, graduate, PhD, etc.), faculty/staff, and University community members are encouraged to register for and attend an information session to learn about the details of the challenge and to ask questions.
Information sessions will be held via Zoom.
Sessions will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m.
How to Participate in the Challenge
- Proposals can be submitted by individuals or as teams. Form a team with your peers, or if you would like us to assign you to a team, please note that in your registration form.
- Proposals do not need to be restricted to the examples above and may utilize data sources and tools not included in this list – the more creative, the better.
- Proposals are also not required to directly impact campus life or SLU, but direct connections and examples are encouraged.
Each individual or team must submit a one-page, single-spaced project proposal that includes the following:
- Your name, degree, department, and college (and those of your teammates if applicable).
- A description of the problem your project will address, and how you will apply your selected geospatial concepts to it.
- The geospatial dataset or tool you intend to use as well as brief description of the dataset or tool.
Answers to the following questions:
- Are there any skills you or your group may need to learn to successfully complete the project?
- Will your project require the purchase of any hardware, materials, supplies, etc.? If so, please list those.
- How does your project contribute to SLU’s Strategic Plan?
Proposals should be submitted via email to Edward Ignaczak, and will be accepted through Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.
See examples of last year’s challenge submissions here.
More About the Challenge's Project Phase
The selection committee will review proposals and select several to advance to the project phase, to take your idea from proposal to reality. Selected teams and individuals will be notified following the deadline.
Successful projects that complete their final presentations will receive a cash prize and an invitation to participate in geospatial-focused cohorts.
Other Important Challenge Dates
- Registration Deadline, Friday, Dec. 18.
- Project Proposal Submission Deadline, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.
- Project Progress Report Due, Wednesday, March 31, 2021.
- Final Project Presentation Submission Deadline, Monday, May 3, 2021.
For questions or more information, contact Eddie Ignaczak.
Learn more about geospatial research at SLU
Submitted by Leslie Williams.