HACKATHON. Nine-year-old Allen Blauuw (2nd from left) participates in a team activity during the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Apps Challenge at the Central Philippine University (CPU) on Friday (Oct. 18, 2019). Iloilo was one of the locations of the NASA-led international hackathon, which provided participants NASA data to develop solutions for real-world challenges. (PNA photo by Gail Momblan)
ILOILO CITY -- A nine-year-old boy from Bacolod City is the youngest among the participants in this year’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Apps Challenge here.
Allen Blauuw, along with his family, has offered his time and skills to be one of the minds aiming to address the pressing challenges on Earth and space.
The United States Embassy in the Philippines, with the Central Philippine University (CPU), has brought the NASA Space Apps Challenge in Iloilo from Friday to Sunday.
The NASA-led international hackathon is being conducted simultaneously in different cities in the world. “I was encouraged by my dad. I found the workshop interesting because I learned about NASA and space,” he said.
At his young age, Allen dreams of “becoming a programmer” and help develop applications to be used for addressing problems on climate and the environment.
Matt Keener, Cultural Attaché of the US Embassy, said that Iloilo was chosen to host the challenge as it is “investing in its youth, in its science and technology, and education.”
In an interview on Friday, he said that participants in the challenge will get to brainstorm ideas and solutions that can address problems on the planet.
He said NASA will provide the data the challengers will work upon.
“At the end of the event, they will come up with solutions, prototypes that they will present to a panel of judges. But the idea is really to teach them how to work collaboratively, how to really focus on using science and technology for problem-solving, applications to real-world challenges,” he said.
He said the winners of the NASA Space Apps Challenge will get the chance to compete in the Global Apps Challenge so there will be two selected teams in the city locations.
The winner of the Space Apps Challenges in Iloilo will be announced on Sunday, he said.
The Space Apps Challenge was also supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), he added.
Dr. Emelyn Flores, assistant regional director for technical operations of DOST 6 (Western Visayas), said in a separate interview that the challenge has opened the doors of science and technology to young people like Allen.
“At this stage, they will be aware of what is happening in our Earth and space. They will be encouraged to do research if they will encounter problems, they can come up with solutions,” she said.
The NASA Space Apps Challenge here was also a timely event for the celebration of “Innovate Iloilo 2019” that will run at the Iloilo Convention Center in this city’s Mandurriao district from October 21 to 25.
“This is a part of our one-week celebration of Innovation Expo 2019 that will be more on technology and science week celebration,” she said.
Among the events for Innovate Iloilo are the Iloilo Innovation Summit, ILOILOvation Business Matching and Investment Forum, and Iloilo Federation for Information and Technology Job Fair.
Keener said the support of the DOST for the NASA Space Apps Challenge and its hosting of the Innovate Iloilo proved their commitment to preparing young minds for the future.
“We can see what Iloilo is really doing in trying to harness these skills, youth, young energy and really harness its potential for its future. I think the best way that we can do is to continue to invest in things like this, issues like this, to continue to invest in youth and its education and continue to develop the entire community,” he said. (PNA)
