We want to make Delaware the most accessible state in the country.
Delaware has natural beauty and great recreational opportunities. We have parks, forests, beaches, rivers, ponds, bays and an ocean to explore and enjoy. We have roads, trails, bike routes, buses and rail to get us there. But not everyone is always able to take advantage of these opportunities. There are different reasons for this, and different ways to solve these problems. DelDOT and DNREC have come to the Open Data Challenge for help finding solutions.
To make this possible, we're hosting a month-long hackathon. We call it the Data Jam. This event will kickoff the month!
How does the Data Jam work?
Over the course of the Data Jam, teams will be responsible for building a working prototype that solves one of the given challenges. The prototype could be an app, a website, an Alexa skill, a piece of hardware - anything that uses Delaware's open data.
At the Kickoff, we'll present participants with different challenges. Teams will form and select a challenge to solve. From there, the rest of the day will be spent brainstorming and project planning. Throughout the next month, teams will be able to work to solve the problem and build their prototype. Projects will be due in time for the Data Jam Closing, which will occur at the beginning of May. Up to $35,000 in grant prizes will be available for teams with the best prototypes.
What does the schedule for the Kickoff look like?
The Kickoff will take place from 10 am to 4 pm on April 7th. The schedule is still subject to change, but will look something along the lines of:
10:00 am - Registration
10:30 am - Welcome & Opening Remarks
11:15 am - Teams Form
11:30 am - Begin Work
1:00 pm - Lunch
3:45 pm - Wrap Up
4:00 pm - End for the Day
How will teams that receive the grant be determined?
At the Data Jam Closing, your team will be presenting your prototype to a panel of judges. The judges will use a rubric to help them make their decision. The rubric will be posted prior to the Data Jam Kickoff so that teams have a better understanding of how they will be judged. If your team is selected to receive a grant, it will be distributed evenly amongst your team members.
You keep mentioning teams. Tell me more about those.
Throughout the Data Jam, you'll be competing on a team. Teams can consist of up to five (5) individuals. The most successful teams will have a diverse talent pool: developers, designers, community members, etc. Everyone should be able to bring a different skill to the table. Depending on the number of participants and the popularity of the ideas, multiple teams may address the same problem.
You can either go to the Data Jam Kickoff with a team already formed or come by yourself and build a team at the event. As part of the Kickoff, we'll have time set aside for teams to form near the beginning of the event.
I can't code. I'm not a designer. I barely know what open data is. Can I still participate?
Of course! The Open Data Challenge is an inclusive event. Projects turn out best when they have input from team members who can relate to, and are part of, the community those projects are meant to serve. Technical experience fills in the blanks for “how”, while community experience informs the “why”. Successful projects answer both of those questions.
Where can I get more information about the Open Data Challenge?
Head over to our website, opendatachallenge.com.
Is the iSuite at the University of Delaware accessible to people with disabilities?
Yes, this location is accessible to persons having disabilities. Any person having special needs or requiring special aid, such as an interpreter for the hearing impaired, is requested to contact DelDOT by phone at 1-800-652-5600 or by mail to DelDOT Community Relations, P.O. Box 778, Dover, DE 19903