News: Register now for free open data code-a-thon event—Geo:Code 2.0

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

HC_alltemplatesbanner_2013

Contact: Kelly Clausen, event organizer, 612-205-2500

Contact: Meg Knodl, event communications, 612-916-4665  

=============

Register now for free open data code-a-thon event, Geo:Code 2.0

Geo:Code 2.0 will connect civic-minded community members with geographers and technologists to create solutions that improve public services, give residents better access to government data and make a difference in Twin Cities communities. The event is free and open to people with all backgrounds, skills and ideas.

Event details: 

  • Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6
  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • University of Minnesota Robert H. Bruininks Hall, Room 412
  • 222 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis

“Geo:Code 2.0 will provide community members with the opportunity to collaborate on existing projects or jumpstart new ideas that improve the places we live, work and play,” said Hennepin County District 3 Commissioner Marion Greene. “We are excited to partner with organizations from all over the metro.” 

Event organizers want to generate a cross section of coders, cartographers, data visualizers, designers, developers, dreamers, makers, mappers, students and technologists.

“You never know where a project will take you or what skills will be needed,” said event organizer Kelly Clausen. “It does not matter what you do, you have something vital to contribute.”

Come for a few hours or the entire event 

Participants may stop in for a single workshop or stay for the entire two-day event. Space is limited, so organizers ask all attendees to register in advance.

At the end of the event, teams will present their projects. Possible projects include:

  • Code an open source project
  • Design visuals for public data sets
  • Help out with research
  • Test a website or solution

At the first code-a-thon event in 2015, participants worked on eight projects, including:

  • Guidelines for creating accessible maps online
  • App for bikers based on Open Street maps
  • Tool to identify vacant lots that would be good candidates for urban farming

Learn more and register for Geo:Code 2.0 at www.hennepin.us/geocode.

This year’s event is hosted by Open Twin Cities, Anoka County, Carver County, the Citizen’s League, city of Minneapolis, city of St. Paul, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs—University of Minnesota, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Metro GIS, MnGeo, Ramsey County, Scott County and Washington County. 

Media note: View/use photos from the 2015 Geo:Code event. Click on “Past event and projects.” 

=============

– 30 –

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.