Curro Serengeti learner reaches global NASA judging

15 January 2026

A two-day global hackathon has placed Tinokudaishe Mberri among young innovators whose work is now under consideration by NASA. The Curro Serengeti learner competed in the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025, where his team’s solution stood out at the Pretoria local event and earned a place in the next phase of international judging.

Tinokudaishe participated as part of GETI, representing South Africa at the Pretoria hub, one of hundreds of local events held worldwide during the challenge.

 

 

From Pretoria to global consideration

The NASA Space Apps Challenge brings learners and innovators together to solve real-world Earth and space science problems using open NASA data. In 2025, the event ran under the theme Learn, Launch, Lead, with teams working intensively across two days.

GETI’s project was selected as the local winner. This result means the team’s work has progressed to global judging, where selected projects are reviewed by NASA Space Apps experts and international partners.

 

Solving real-world challenges with open data

Teams at Space Apps choose from challenge statements created by NASA subject matter experts. These challenges cover areas such as Earth observation, space science, sustainability and technology development. Participants work under tight timeframes, combining technical skills, research and teamwork to develop practical solutions.

In 2025, the challenge spanned more than 550 local events across 167 countries, connecting learners to a worldwide network of problem-solvers.

 

A milestone for the learner and the school

Announcing Tinokudaishe’s achievement, the school said: ‘We are incredibly proud of Tinokudaishe Mberri, who participated in the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025 – an international hackathon where innovators use real NASA data to solve space and Earth science challenges.’

Following the local win and global shortlisting, the school added: ‘Your hard work and passion inspire us all – the sky is NOT the limit!’

 

Building experience on a global platform

Participation in Space Apps gives learners early exposure to STEM-focused problem solving, global collaboration and innovation within real-world constraints. For Tinokudaishe, progressing from a local win to global consideration places his work among a select group of projects reviewed on an international stage.