[Gsoc-orga] Youthmappers and Google Summer of Code

[Sarah Hoffmann]

Hi Patricia,

thank you a lot for your presentation at the OSMF board meeting. I
really like what Youthmappers are trying to achieve as it reminds me very
much of the spirit of "just doing what is interesting" in the early days
of mapping in Europe.

I don't know if you are already aware of the Google Summer of Code
programme (https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/). It tries to introduce
students to the ways of Open Source. OpenStreetMap has been
participating in the programme as a mentor organisation almost
continually since 2006. The results have been mixed. We had some good
outcomes but many projects just died after the programme. Despite that
we think that the goal of teaching students how contribution to open
source works, is worthwhile.

One of the main issues we had over the years is that most of the
students participating had never contributed to OSM before. This usually
means that they have a double learning curve: understanding the OSM
community and the software project they contribute to. But it also means
that the rate of people we retained is rather low.

Which brings me to why I'm writing to you. Listening to your
presentation I realised that you have access to a large pool of
enthusiastic students that have already been introduced to the OSM
community. Exactly what we are looking for. So we really should reach
out explicitly to them.

We are still in the early process of application for GSOC 2023.
Organisation application ends this week and we'll only know by end of
February if we have been accepted. That is also when students can start
to apply. Nonetheless, now would be a good time to remind students that
GSOC exists, so they can look into projects and make up their mind if
they want to participate. What do you think is the best means to reach
Youthmapper students?

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Sarah