YONKERS, N.Y. — Presented by All Knight Access, NASA Space Apps Yonkers (https://spaceappsyonkers.org) invites innovators of all ages to register for the NASA International Space Apps Challenge (https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/2025/local-events/yonkers/), held on October 4–5, 2025. The 2025 theme is "Learn, Launch, Lead", and participants of Yonkers, New York will work alongside a vibrant community of scientists, technologists, and storytellers — in competition with other participants at more than 450 events worldwide. Participants can expect to Learn skills to succeed in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Launch ideas that transform NASA's open data into actionable tools, and Lead their communities in driving technological innovation. After the hackathon, project submissions are judged by NASA and space agency experts. Winners are selected for global awards.
For 2025, NASA Space Apps Yonkers appoints Mary Knight as Ambassador.
Emmy Award winner Sir Shefik Macauley (known mononymously as Shefik) (https://shefik.info) serves as Managing Director and Local Lead of NASA Space Apps Yonkers. NASA Space Apps Yonkers is an organization for NASA International Space Apps Challenge, held in-person on October 4–5, 2025, at YWCA Yonkers (located at 87 South Broadway, Yonkers, New York 10701, United States). Event activities start each day at 9 a.m. ET. To significantly enhance accessibility and reach, there is also an option for participants to join virtually from anywhere in the world. Free registration is required and available for both in-person and virtual activities.
NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, technologists, and innovators around the world. Each year, thousands of teams submit projects that demonstrate creativity, collaboration, and address challenges we face on Earth and in space. These projects go through multiple rounds of judging to determine the NASA International Space Apps Challenge Global Winners, which represent the most innovative projects submitted by participants.
In 2025 — for the first time in history — Yonkers, New York serves as a host city for NASA International Space Apps Challenge, with the kick-off ceremony held on October 4, 2025. Mayor Mike Spano is scheduled to appear in-person, along with other special guests.
All participants of NASA Space Apps Yonkers — both in-person and virtual — will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Registration is now open to all ages for Yonkers, New York. Be a part of the largest annual global hackathon!
The journey awaits for everyone.
Partners of NASA Space Apps Yonkers include:
- Shefik presents Invocation
- YWCA Yonkers
- Mayor Mike Spano (Yonkers, New York, United States)
- Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader, New York State Senate) (35th Senate District)
- City of Yonkers
- City of Yonkers Department of Veterans' Services
- Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan
- Royal Ghassanid Academy of Arts and Sciences
- "Planet of the Tapes" (LL Cool J's Rock the Bells Radio / SiriusXM)
- Sarah Lawrence College
- Yonkers Voice
- Yonkers Public Library
- Yonkers Downtown Business Improvement District
- World Cafe Live
- A Way Out Project
- "The Heart and Soul of Jazz with April Dawn" (WDQS Blaze Radio)
- Harlem Film House
- You're Our Unity
- Multicultural Council of New York
- Ideaspace Ventures
- QBO Innovation
- Peace Lights
- Devolution Productions
- Bond by Grace
- Hotel Barmoi (Freetown, Sierra Leone, Africa)
- CinVest
- Blue Whale Pictures
Sponsors of NASA Space Apps Yonkers include:
- The Paul Aarrington Group
- Burger King
- Costco Wholesale
- Starbucks
- Dunkin'
- Panera Bread
- ShopRite
- Stop & Shop
- A & V Pizzeria
- Raceway Diner
- HumanCare Media
- Nutrioz
- Jean's Closet
Media Contacts
Shefik
All Knight Access
+1 (914) 548-5033
[email protected]
Last Updated: March 21, 2026
