This hackathon, considered the largest in the world, drew 120 teams from Uruguay, of which only 11 were selected to advance to the next phase.
The challenge and motivation to participate
The group developed a system that uses satellite imagery to provide real-time data, with applications in agriculture and urban planning.
“We found out about the challenge through the university’s Instagram Stories, and even though it was at the last minute, we were motivated by the opportunity to put everything we’d been learning in college into practice,” Santiago Morón shared.
The project they chose was the "Data Reflection Using Landsat Satellite" challenge, which involved processing satellite images and making them accessible through a user-friendly website. Despite the limited time available, they managed to integrate both the visual elements and the scientific data, presenting a fully functional application.
ORT Training: The Key to Success
The solid education they received in college was key to overcoming the challenges of the hackathon.
“The program prepares us not only from a technical standpoint, but also in project management and teamwork, ”explained Santiago Salinas.
During their studies, they not only gained expertise in programming and software development, but also developed skills in modern tools such as Docker, which they used to streamline the deployment of their project.
Another aspect they mentioned was the program’s emphasis on solving real-world problems. “The challenges we faced at Space Apps were in line with what we’ve been working on in college. They teach us to come up with solutions that are not only technically feasible, but also useful and scalable in the real world, ”said María Noel Fernández.
This perspective, developed over the course of their training, was key to the team’s success. “We designed every single thing with the idea that it could be applied to everyday life, and that’s what the jury valued most,” says Fernández.
Teamwork and organization
During the hackathon weekend, the students worked hard, assigning roles and tasks based on each member’s individual strengths, just as they had learned to do in their coursework. “From the start, everyone took on a clear role, which allowed us to stay focused and make the most of our skills,” explained Bruno Silva.
In addition to developing the software, they also produced an explanatory video and detailed project documentation, which allowed them to present a comprehensive and well-founded product.
The hackathon experience
The experience was not only technically challenging, but it also required efficient time management and communication within the team—something that has also been a fundamental part of their training. "In college, we do a lot of team projects, which forces us to work on coordination, planning, and problem-solving in real time. That was key for this hackathon, since we only had one weekend to get everything done," Salinas noted.
The chance to visit NASA
For them, the chance to visit NASA—if they win the international round—is more than just a reward; it would be a dream come true, not only because of what the trip represents, but also because they would be representing Uruguay and all the people who supported them.
The students see it as an emotional experience that goes beyond the personal: they feel they are representing their family members, friends, classmates, and teachers. "We made it here in just one weekend, which makes it even more incredible," Morón added.
A stepping stone to future skills
For some members of the team, this was their first time participating in a hackathon, and they agreed that the experience exceeded all their expectations. They feel that their degree program prepares them very well for these competitions, not only in technical skills but also in project management. “We definitely want to keep participating in events like this,” the four students concluded.
