Maria Levay: From Hackathon Winner to Mentor
At this year’s NASA Space Apps Challenge Mountain View, Maria Levay returned not as a participant but as a mentor, inspiring a new wave of innovators to tackle complex global challenges. A year ago, Maria was part of the winning team at the 2023 challenge with a group of individuals from six different countries who came together to create a groundbreaking project.
Originally from a coastal city in northeastern Brazil, Maria’s journey has taken her across continents, eventually landing her in San Francisco, a hub for technology and innovation. The 2023 challenge marked her first in-person hackathon, and the experience left a lasting impact.
Maria reflected on the initial uncertainty her team faced during the competition. “At first, we were confused about where to start,” she admitted. “But once we agreed on a concept, everything fell into place. We worked closely with mentors, who guided us through the process, and together we created a complete project we were proud of.”
Her team’s collaboration, despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, was a testament to the power of diversity and teamwork. Maria credits the experience with teaching her the importance of open communication, adaptability, and learning from others.
Maria’s story is an inspiring reminder that innovation knows no borders. From her first hackathon to mentoring aspiring innovators, she exemplifies the impact of perseverance and teamwork in solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.