(Montgomery, Ala.) – On July 20th the final case study was submitted for the MGMWERX Space Case Study Challenge. After twenty-eight days of sharing this opportunity with professionals in space-related fields, twenty-six case studies were presented to Air University for evaluation. The evaluation team made up of Air University leaders and instructors decided that twenty-two case studies met the threshold to receive the base award of $1000.
“I was impressed at the level of response from so many talented scholars and professionals in space-related fields,” stated Andrea Harrington, Air University instructor and key Air University representative for the challenge. “Given the tight turnaround time for the case study, I did not expect the number and caliber of submissions that we received. It was great to see the level of enthusiasm for the project!”
In addition to the award for meeting the requirements, the evaluation team assigned first, second, and third rankings for select submissions that were exemplary. Case studies from Matthew Kepfer, member of the United States Marine Corp, and Ekaterina Tsetsura, Associate Professor of Strategic Communications at the University of Oklahoma, received third place. Mariel Borowitz, Associate Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, was awarded second place. Matthew Moraguez, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT where he also works as a research assistant in the Engineering Systems Laboratory, earned first place. Each ranking came with an additional monetary award and opportunity to further engage with Air University and MGMWERX.
“It’s quite an honor. This challenge presented a unique opportunity to contribute as a civilian to improving the education of US service members who influence the design and operation of our national space assets,” shared Matthew Moraguez, first place winner for the MGMWERX challenge. “I cannot overstate how incredibly rewarding it feels to be able to contribute to such an endeavor, especially as spacecraft have increasingly become an integral part of everyday life, including for communications, weather forecasting, and GPS navigation.”
All qualified submissions from the challenge will be included in a database with other case studies that have been developed internally at Air University through their efforts with the Space Education working group for use by instructors who are teaching space lessons at AU.
This challenge hosted by MGMWERX has utilized scholars and professionals in space-related fields of civilian and military status, to maintain top-notch resources for the Air University. Such challenges continue to fulfill the mission of MGMWERX to provide a direct connection between the military and the best ideas and innovations outside of the military.
MGMWERX was created under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement to align with the education initiatives of Air University. MGMWERX augments ongoing Air University programs, through events like Pitch Night, to enhance the production of high-quality, innovative research and ideas that span issues of importance to the Air Force. This includes, but is not limited to, doctrine, strategies, capability needs, operational concepts, training, education, and science and technology.