About

NASA Space Apps Yonkers is a local host site of the NASA Space Apps Challenge, the annual global hackathon that brings people together to explore NASA data, tackle real-world challenges, and develop innovative solutions for Earth and space.

Led by Emmy® Award winner and technology maven Sir Shefik Macauley, who serves as Managing Director and Local Lead, NASA Space Apps Yonkers brings students, educators, technology professionals, scientists, creatives, entrepreneurs, families, and community members together to participate in a global innovation experience from Yonkers, New York, and surrounding communities throughout Westchester County in the United States.

Shefik brings extensive experience spanning technology, digital media, web development, technical production, innovation, education, and community engagement. His professional background includes technology leadership and technical production roles supporting major media organizations and large-scale international events. His experience developing technology solutions for complex, high-profile environments informs the vision for NASA Space Apps Yonkers and its focus on connecting technology, education, creativity, science, and community participation.

NASA Space Apps Yonkers welcomes participants of all ages and experience levels. Participants can join individually or as part of a team and collaborate in person or virtually to address challenges inspired by NASA and its international space and science partners. No advanced technical background is required. Teams can bring together diverse skills in programming, data analysis, science, engineering, design, storytelling, communications, multimedia, project management, research, entrepreneurship, and creative problem-solving.

The event provides an accessible environment where participants can develop ideas, build prototypes, create digital and multimedia projects, analyze data, and apply science, technology, engineering, mathematics, design, storytelling, and other disciplines to complex problems. Participants have opportunities to learn new skills, collaborate with people from different backgrounds, exchange ideas, develop professional and educational connections, and create projects addressing challenges connected to Earth and space.

NASA Space Apps Yonkers emphasizes STEAM education, innovation, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, digital literacy, and community engagement. By bringing together participants with different interests and areas of expertise, the event encourages multidisciplinary approaches to solving complex problems. Students can gain practical experience, educators can engage their communities in STEAM learning, professionals can share expertise, and community members can contribute ideas and perspectives.

The local event also connects participants in Yonkers and Westchester County to a worldwide network of NASA Space Apps participants. Teams work on challenge themes alongside innovators from communities around the world, creating opportunities for international collaboration and exposure to new ideas, technologies, and approaches to problem-solving.

The inaugural NASA Space Apps Yonkers event was held October 4–5, 2025, at YWCA Yonkers and online. The event attracted 309 registrations, making Yonkers the third-highest-registration United States host location that year. The 2025 program included community partnerships, an opening ceremony, educational and technology activities, and opportunities for participants to collaborate on NASA Space Apps challenges.

The 2026 NASA Space Apps Yonkers event, themed "The Next Frontier", will take place November 14–15, 2026. The event begins at 9 a.m. ET and is free and open to participants of all ages. Participants may attend in person or virtually and can receive a Certificate of Participation.

"The Next Frontier" reflects the event’s focus on exploration, discovery, innovation, and the possibilities created when people use technology, science, creativity, and collaboration to address meaningful challenges. Participants are encouraged to explore how emerging technologies, NASA data, scientific research, creative media, and human ingenuity can contribute to solutions for challenges on Earth and in space.

NASA Space Apps Yonkers also supports greater awareness of STEAM opportunities within the community. Through hands-on participation, collaborative projects, educational engagement, and exposure to real-world scientific and technological challenges, participants can explore pathways in technology, engineering, science, mathematics, design, media, and other innovation-driven fields.

NASA Space Apps Yonkers is part of the broader NASA Space Apps Challenge community, giving local participants an opportunity to take part in a worldwide event focused on using open data and collaborative problem-solving to address challenges related to Earth, space, science, technology, and society.