The NASA International Space Apps Challenge will return to Kansas City on April 11-13 at Ingenology, 1810 Cherry, a digital marketing agency and product accelerator in the Crossroads Arts District.

A pre-party to promote the three-day event is also scheduled during First Fridays on April 4 at Ingenology.

Kansas City is one of two Midwest locations for this year’s Space Apps Challenge, which includes 19 locations in the United States and 90 internationally. Teams will create and share solutions for challenges associated with space exploration, education and building on NASA missions. Teams can work with other groups at their location or with others around the world.

Last year, Kansas City won a global award in the Best Use of Data category for Sol, the first interplanetary weather app, which obtained weather information from the Curiosity rover on Mars and joined it with temperature information at the user’s location. The app was also recognized by the White House as part of President Obama’s 21st century digital initiative.

The Space Apps Challenge is a component of the Open Government Initiative, which was signed by the president to support open and accountable government for the American people.

“We’re eager and excited to once again sponsor an event that puts Kansas City on an international stage for our technology prowess,” said Mike Wilson, president of Ingenology, a digital marketing agency and product accelerator. “By winning one of five global awards last year, we showed that the tech talent in Kansas City is on par with anyone in the world. We look forward to delivering more great solutions and further showcasing the great things we can do here.”

For details and registration for the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, go to spaceappskc.com.