Judges
Join the
judging panel
A small panel of experts picks HackAthlone’s winners each year, as the first round of NASA Space Apps judging. In 2025, 7 judges sat on the panel, with 50 teams competing. Places are limited.
Sunday 15 November
How judging
works
Local judges are the first round of NASA Space Apps judging. After the weekend, experts from NASA, its partner agencies and industry judge the global round.
We match you to challenges
Tell us your areas of expertise on the form, and we match judges to the challenges they know best.
We brief you before the event
We send you the schedule and the judging criteria.
Teams pitch on Sunday
In 2025, each team had 3 minutes to present, with a hard stop, then 2 minutes for the judges’ questions.
You score the teams
You score each team against the criteria, then the judges tally the scores and agree the results together.
The results
The winners, and the projects going forward to NASA’s global judging, are announced at the closing ceremony.
On the form
Your areas
of expertise
Tick your areas on the form. It helps us match judges to challenges.
- Data science and AI
- Web and app development
- Game development
- XR (AR and VR)
- Hardware and electronics
- Remote sensing and Earth observation
- Space science and astronomy
- Natural sciences
- Maths
- Business and pitching
- Design and storytelling
- Something else
Last year
Judges
in 2025
From TUS, industry, education and the space sector. In 2023, our judges were Sean Lyons, Jane Burns, Dr Niall Murray and Anish KK.
- judges in 2025up from 4 in 2023
- 7
- teams in 2025up from 22 in 2023
- 50
- projects submitted to NASAin 2025
- 33
- global nominationsin 2025, our best year yet
- 4
Jane Burns
Director of Education and Public Engagement, TUS
Rebecca Carragher
Communications Lead, Space Generation Advisory Council
Clare Conneally
Founder, Informed Learning
Shane Gilligan
Senior mechanical design lead
Dr Gillian Lake
Chief Education Officer, Child Paths
James Lardner
Fellow software engineer
Michela Ottaviani
Assistant Lecturer, Applied Sciences, TUS
What judges said
The standard of the projects were phenomenal. We take absolutely nothing back from the weekend except the fact that in 48 hours a couple of people with a few bites of pizza and caffeine can do amazing stuff! Genuinely I have been so impressed!
In my years with TUS, I have been so inspired & impressed by the enthusiasm and the intelligence of young people. So when I look around and I see projects like these, I know the future’s in really good hands, and you guys were amazing, so well done!
As a judge at NASA SpaceApp’s Challenge Athlone 2023, I was impressed by the excellent problem statements & the participants’ exceptional performance & unwavering energy in 48 hours.
What you get
Why join
the panel
You choose the winners
Your scores decide HackAthlone’s winners, in the first round of NASA Space Apps judging.
Introduced as a 2026 judge
With your OK, we introduce you on this page and on our Instagram and LinkedIn, with the rest of the panel.
Judge alongside experts
The 2025 panel came from TUS, industry, education and the space sector. You also meet our partners.
Meet talent from across Ireland
Meet the students and young professionals behind the projects, and see what they built in 48 hours.
Looked after on the day
Meals, a T-shirt, and a volunteer team to help you through the day.