_DRAFT PAGE FOR UPCOMING SPECTRAL CHALLENGE 2013: this page is under heavy development_ Introduction here: The Public Lab Spectral Challenge will address two tasks (let's put these in 2 columns): ###Stage 1: Process Goal: Support and encourage the hundreds of people getting spectrometers who want to figure out how to use them for something interesting * motivate, cultivate collabs, lend focus to the more DIY crowd who may be unfamiliar/daunted * builds community, improves learning/peer exchange * process-oriented, documentation/collab * safe handling of samples!! - (blind olive oil identification) * +1 for educational/classroom use * open ended? anything that contributes? Or goal-oriented? * not tied to our device, but must be open source * biggest impact: how is impact measured? * dramatic improvement to device design, process, or results * simplification, reliability, accessibility, low-cost, open source, DIY * working together, forming teams * peer review, #/quality of comments? * How to enter? Tag Research Note with “spectralchallenge” or “spectralchallengeentry” * closed timeline: 3 months? Mar-May, Apr-Jun * open suggestions for what Stage 2 will be * can already donate to pools for Stage 1 or 2? ###Stage 2: Contamination Encourage those with some knowledge of spectroscopy, chemistry, or environmental contamination to establish protocols for using the PLOTS spectrometer to identify environmental contaminants. * emphasis on accomplishing usable tests, recruiting experts * ends-oriented, specific goal “such as heavy metal or oil contamination” but specific challenge will be announced later based on input from Stage 1 ###Entering * you may form teams (collaboration is a +1 for your entry) * enter by publishing a research note tagged "spectralchallenge" announcing/describing your entry [Join Public Lab](/user/register) and reach out over [the mailing lists](/wiki/mailing-lists) to find collaborators, help and advice. **Organize an event in your area** to find collaborators and compare notes! (add link here to Organize an Event) ###Timeline **Stage 1:** End of February 2013, when final Kickstarter spectrometers ship. Ends in 3 months (end of May) **Stage 2:** End of May, when Stage 1 ends. Ongoing -- open until somebody wins it ###Funding This is a crowdfunded prize -- anyone may contribute to the Stage 1: Process pool or the Stage 2: Contamination pool. (or all funds are split between?) **80% of the pool** goes to the winning team **20% of the pool** goes to support the Public Lab nonprofit to: * operate, support, maintain, & improve [SpectralWorkbench.org](http://SpectralWorkbench.org) * organize events, run the Challenge, and facilitate collaborations * refine, improve and continue to manufacture and distribute spectrometry and other open source environmental science kits ###Judging TBA