SMITHSONIAN AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM BRIEFING JUST FOR FUN / Galactic-level skills Air and Space Museum hosts Hackathon for students BY EMMA QUEDZUWEIT TEENAGERS INTERESTED IN computer science can get three days of out-of-thisworld fun at an annual " Hackathon " hosted by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and Deloitte Consulting LLP. The Hackathon is an immersive, sprint-like experience in which high school students who are considering entering STEM fields collaborate to create functioning software by the end of the event. A specific theme or focus is chosen that the teams must use, but there 34 AOPA PILOT / January 2024 are no restrictions on the type of software, which could include interactive websites, games, apps, and more. The event is part of the museum's new goals to " inspire and connect diverse populations to sustainable and growing pathways in STEM. " The winner of this year's Hackathon was Team Rambutan from Governor's School in Virginia who created a mobileformatted game called Galactic Mystery that tests your space knowledge while solving the mystery of who stole the Canadarm from the International Space Station (spoiler alert: look out for the little green guys). The National Air and Space Museum plans to host these Hackathons for area students every year. The date for the 2024 Hackathon has not yet been chosen, but high school teachers or students interested in participating can contact the museum's educational staff at NASMTeachers@si.edu. emma.quedzuweit@aopa.org