NASA Forward Maker Camp

/hypothesis

Any organization has untapped potential at every level. NASA is no different. Without specific knowledge of potential, and specific direction to tap it, opportunity is lost. A culture of experimentation can help bring untapped potential to light.

/premise

Guided by the Agency’s vision and mission*, and their local center’s role in the big picture, the NASA community can carry out small-scale projects which bring significant value to NASA.

**

Wordle.com wordcloud from text on: http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/what_does_nasa_do.html

/experiment

NASA Forward will facilitate a two-day “MakerCamp” on April 28-29, 2011* at all NASA centers, bringing together hundreds of scientists, engineers, developers and makers together to build, make and innovate on projects that are relevant to NASA’s mission.

* Dates are flexible depending on local factors.

/objectives

The purpose of the two-day experiment will be to work on a portfolio of “locally-relevant” projects, of interest to those participating. The many benefits to NASA for moving in this direction include: Offers an inclusive and engaging event for scientists, engineers, developers and makers who are interested in building and innovating on projects that are relevant to NASA’s mission

Addresses the need to produce tangible and locally relevant results

Offers opportunities to demonstrate NASA’s ability to collaborate across NASA centers without necessitating a cross-center project

Gives NASA Forward a definitive end goal that will help define themselves as a group of motivated, inspired, hard working and talented leaders within the agency

/example

At NASA Johnson Space Center, the NASA Forward Maker Camp project will be to constructing Google's open-sourced DIY immersive visualizer, "Liquid Galaxy”.

The idea is to set a prototype of Liquid Galaxy at NASA, using as many existing materials at a center as possible. If successful, we can bring the visual data (much of which originated from NASA in the first place) right to the front door of some of the most accessible buildings at NASA.

Demonstration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atV2foTBbyE

/next steps

1. Identify a venue (cafeteria, warehouse, office building) to host the event and work with the venue to setup the event (tables, power strips, etc).

2. Develop problem statements (more on that next).

3. Communicate the event at your center (to potential participants, your direct management and organization, and your center director).

4. Trade ideas for projects, and planning, with the virtual community agency-wide*.

“Yes, I want to make this happen locally. Where do I start?”

* Other events nationwide will attempting to achieve similar awesomeness.

/problem statements

Anyone within the NASA community (CS, contractor, retiree, student, etc.) is encouraged to sign up and contribute to any project or add a new project to the wiki:

http://nasamakercamp.wikispaces.com

/final thoughts

Anyone in the NASA community can participate; there are no barriers to entry.

The event is open to both contractors and civil servants.

A general ground rule will prohibit the use of SBU or ITAR-sensitive data or hardware in this activity.

If interested, folks are signing up on the wiki and attending our planning telecons.