GIS and Map Contests Roundup

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GIS Student Developer Contest Map Competition Roundup

There are a few map contests open for those interested in submitting both paper and digital maps as well as contests designed to showcase the potential of different types of spatial data.

GIS and Map Contests

Here are current map and GIS related competitions listed in order of the competition deadline.  To submit a map or GIS contest, email the details to editor@gislounge.com.

“New Perspectives” T Map Challenge

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) is running a map challenge to solicit submissions to update its MBTA transit maps.  The deadline is April 30, 2013 and maps must be emailed to DOT.GISServices@dot.state.ma.us.

Data Fusion Contest

Sponsored by the Data Fusion Technical Committee of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS), the Data Fusion Contest offers two parallel competitions:

1. Best Paper Award, with the objective of promoting novel synergetic use of hyperspectral and LiDAR data. The deliverable will be a 4-page IEEE-style manuscript that addresses the problem, methodology, results and discussion. We encourage the participants to consider various open problems in the realm of multi-sensor data fusion and to use the dataset provided to demonstrate novel and effective approaches to addressing these problems.
2. Best Classification Award, to promote innovation in classification algorithms, and to provide objective and fair performance comparisons among state-of-the-art algorithms. For this task, users will be provided with ground truth to train and gauge the efficacy of their algorithms. Participants will use the ground truth provided to them, along with the multi-sensor dataset, and submit their classification maps and a brief description of the algorithm.

Both entries involved the use of a hyperspectral image and a LiDAR derived Digital Surface Model (DSM), both at the same spatial resolution (2.5m) taken over the University of Houston campus and the neighboring urban area.  The submission deadline for Best Classification Award is between February 16, 2013 and May 1, 2013 and the Best Paper Award is May 31, 2013.  The contest is open to all, membership in IEEE not required.

2013 Washington GIS Conference Map Contest

This annual contest invites participants to submit a poster, map (both paper and interactive), or script for consideration. There are six categories looking a cartography, analysis, data integration, interactive map, student mapping, and scripting (programming). The winner in each category will receive a $50.00 Amazon.com gift card.  The deadline is May 1, 2013 and submission is done online.

OGC Map App challenge

This map app challenge is available to eligible students which the OGC defines as “any university student at the undergraduate or graduate level who is enrolled part or full time as of July 15, 2013″.  The challenge is open to individuals only (no development teams) and those entering must also be 18 years of age at the time they submit the app.  The enter, students must first register via email by sending the following the introductory information outline on the OGC Map App challenge page to appchallenge@opengeospatial.org.  The contest requires that at least one data source from one OGC Web Service standard be used.  The deadline for the contest is June 15, 2013.  Winners will be notified on August 30 and publicly announced on September 9, 2013.  All submissions will be viewable on a rolling basis via http://appchallenge.opengeospatial.org.  Prizes include a Google Nexus Tablet and a free trip to an upcoming OGC meeting.

NACIS Student Map Competitions

The North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) will host two student map competitions at its annual conference which will be held in Greenville, South Carolina this year from October 9-11, 2013.  The competition is open to all currently enrolled in a certificate program, undergraduate, or graduate/post-graduate program and not be a previous top prize winner.

The two competitions:

Student Dynamic Map Competition:  The North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) recognizes the importance of dynamic mapping in cartography. We are sponsoring the 15th Annual Student Dynamic Map Competition to promote cartographic excellence and innovation in this versatile medium. A first prize of $500 will be awarded in each category. Deadline for submissions is September 13th. To view the rules and prizes, please visit http://nacis.org/index.cfm?x=4.

Student Map and Poster Competition:  Students who would like to display their works at NACIS 2013 should register for the Student Map and Poster Competition. We encourage all students to submit their maps and technical/research posters for a chance at a prize of $500! There is no entry fee. All entrants will be displayed in the Exhibits Gallery, and the winner will be selected by a ballot of all meeting attendees. The deadline to register is September 13th, 2013. For more information, please visit http://nacis.org/index.cfm?x=18.