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Using a hackathon to engage developers EPA’s Apps for the Environment Challenge

Using a hackathon to engage developers EPA’s Apps for the Environment Challenge. Ethan McMahon Office of Environmental Information U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Why EPA conducted a hackathon. Raise awareness that EPA has a lot of useful data

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Using a hackathon to engage developers EPA’s Apps for the Environment Challenge

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  1. Using a hackathon to engage developersEPA’s Apps for the Environment Challenge Ethan McMahon Office of Environmental Information U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  2. Why EPA conducted a hackathon • Raise awareness that EPA has a lot of useful data • Engage EPA data owners to be partners in the process • Support the Apps for the Environment Challenge • Summer to fall of 2011 • Applications used publicly-available EPA data • Developers submitted 38 apps (6 from students) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  3. Hackathon with American University • Held on Labor Day weekend 2011 • Nine developers participated • Eight subject matter experts were on hand • Used social media • Before: Facebook, Twitter, Eventbrite, EPA blog, Github • During: Twitter, real time chat, UStream • After: EPA blog • Results: Five apps were kickstarted U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  4. Facebook post U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  5. Integrated UStream and real time chat U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  6. EPA blog post U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  7. Success factors • Before • Partner with an enthusiastic and connected party • Ensure that social media channels are prepared • Provide data and potential ideas before the event • During • Include lots of experts at the event • Provide food and drinks • Engage with developers at the event and online • After • Publicize success • Follow up with developers U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  8. Lessons Learned • Hold event on a day when people are available • Clarify roles of host and data provider • Integrate online tools in order to reach a broader audience and reduce costs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

  9. For more information Contact: Ethan McMahon mcmahon.ethan@epa.gov U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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