Creative collaboration for idea generation and problem-solving to a challenge.

About this event

COVE and DeepSense with special guest Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI) are hosting the second Ocean Data Challenge. This free event will span two evenings and begins on February 8th (6 pm) with an introduction to the Challenge, presentations from experts, and the chance to ask questions to help idea exploration. The Challenge concludes one week later, on February 15th with presentations from participants to our panel of judges.

This challenge allows you to work at your own pace to explore ways to learn about ocean data, meet others with the same interests and bring together unique skills to create a team. This is a fantastic way to show off your design, programming or other talents. Not to mention more than $2,000 in prizes!

The challenge is broken down into three Challenge Streams: Under the Water, On the Water, and Around the Water. Individuals and teams will be asked to choose one stream and provide interdisciplinary ideas for helping understand the coastal community impacts. Each stream can be used to explore different types of data, for example: “Under the Water” can explore ocean compensation (pollutants, algal blooms), “On the Water” can include storm surges and the water level rises and “Around the Water” can explore coastline erosion and flooding.

Challenge Stream #1 Theme: Under the Water

What impacts does climate change have underwater? How can the warming ocean change animal habitats? ecosystems, and food chains? Are there pollutants that are increasing due to climate change? What are the changes to the chemical composition of ocean water?

Challenge Stream #2 Theme: On the Water

How have extreme weather events impacted marine transportation? How can ships adapt to sudden extreme weather events and storm surges? How has climate change impacted the livelihood of those in the seafood industry? What are the considerations we need for an increase in icebergs?

Challenge Stream #3 Theme: Around the Water

What impacts will coastal erosion have on those living right on the coast? How does extreme weather and sea level rise impact flooding or roads and communities? How can popular beaches adapt to the changing sea?

Who should participate?

The best ideas come from interdisciplinary teams, so we invite those studying Computer Science, Engineering, Biology, Sustainability, Business, Social Science, or any other programs! As long as participants are students who are registered full or part-time, or graduated in the past 12 months, from an Atlantic Canada post-secondary educational institution. You can go solo, or work with a team of up to five people. All teams must be confirmed by Wednesday, February 9th at 10 am AST. Please ensure you read the Official Rules below.

The Official Rules

• Competitors must own rights or have written permission from the owner for all software demonstrated in the competition.
• Competitors can work solo or on teams of up to 5 members.
• Competitors are not allowed to submit projects containing confidential information.
• Required to use one source of data
• Must be a current part-time or full-time student of an academic institution in Atlantic Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador) or have graduated in the past 12 months.

Expected Outcomes and Submissions

• All teams will be required to make a 3 to 5-minute presentation on Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
• The presentation can be a diagram, a technology solution, an analysis of data, or something else, as long as it is a solution to one of the Challenge Stream questions outlined above
• All teams must provide a summary of their solution by 4 pm on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, to info@deepsense.ca
• Your tangible outcome or solution will vary based on your skill, background, area of expertise and team. It is expected you will have created a prototype of some kind that could range from a technology solution, a visualization, or an overall plan to address some of the questions outlined in the Challenge Streams.

Schedule (all times are in Atlantic Time)

• Tuesday, February 8th, 2022, at 6 pm: The challenge kicks off! Learn about the challenges that come with creating quick, safe, environmentally friendly, and affordable transit from experts. The session will be recorded and shared that evening with all those who were not able to attend.
• Wednesday, February 9th, 2022, at 10 am: Final teams must be identified and registered.
• Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 4 pm: Team concept submissions must be emailed to info@deepsense.ca with “Challenge submission form *TEAM NAME*” in the subject line to be eligible for presentation.
• Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 6 pm: Presentations and judging will begin at 6 pm followed by an award presentation! Each team will have a maximum of 3 or 5 minutes to present their idea. The final presentation duration will be confirmed on Thursday, February 10.

Speakers

Coming soon - STAY TUNED!

Judging and Prizes

Projects will be judged on presentation, creativity and, of course, the prototype (ranges from a technology solution, a visualization, or an overall plan). Note there are separate prizes for top design and top technical design.

• First prize: $750
• Second prize: $500
• Top Creative Design: $500
• Judges Choice: $500

Sign up today – We look forward to seeing you there!

Location: Online event