NASA Space Apps Cairo 2024 Hackathon: A Milestone of Engagement and Innovation

The NASA Space Apps Cairo 2024 hackathon, sponsored by the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society (AESS), achieved remarkable success in this year's hybrid format. The event welcomed over 2,000 participants from diverse backgrounds, with a 33% increase in team participation compared to last year. More than 500 teams competed, presenting innovative solutions to space and technology challenges. 

A highlight of the event was Professor Braham Himed, Vice President of IEEE AESS for Conferences, who played a key role in engaging with participants. Prof. Himed’s interactions inspired students and provided valuable insights and feedback. His involvement underscored AESS's commitment to fostering educational initiatives and cultivating young talent in aerospace and technology. 

The event attracted participants from various educational levels, with 66% being undergraduate students and 23% pre-college students, showcasing the broad appeal of space-related challenges. 

The hackathon succeeded in blending competition with mentorship, featuring over 60 mentors and 30 judges who guided participants through the intensive 48-hour experience. Ultimately, 13 local winners were selected, with 10 teams earning global nominations. This represents a significant achievement, up from just 3 global nominees in previous years. 

The collaboration between IEEE AESS and NASA Space Apps Cairo 2024 continues to demonstrate the value of supporting innovation and engagement in aerospace technologies, making a lasting impact on the next generation of engineers and scientists.