This is the story of how a Bangladeshi boy named Fuad Hasan, along with his team EcoRangers, rose through heartbreaking rejections to become global finalists in the world’s largest international hackathon – the NASA Space Apps Challenge.

🌠 A Dream Ignited: Joining NASA Space Apps Challenge

It all began with a burning ambition—to participate in the NASA Space Apps Challenge, a global event that brings together coders, designers, scientists, and storytellers to solve real-world problems using NASA’s open data.

I reached out for support, and with the help of my elder brother, I found someone who promised me a spot in their team. I was filled with hope. But days passed, and I heard nothing.

When I finally followed up, I was hit with a soul-crushing message:

“The work you do can be done by anyone. Sorry, you’re not suitable for our team.”

Those words cut deep. Doubt flooded my mind—“Am I really that bad at design?” But I didn’t let it stop me.

💡 Rising from Rejection: Building My Own Team

With only one day left before the local round submission deadline, I made a bold decision—I would form my own team.

I found four passionate members who believed in the vision. But we hit a snag: we needed a developer. Unfortunately, the one we reached out to couldn’t join due to personal commitments. Frustrated and out of time, we almost gave up.

That night, while reflecting on my shattered dream, a notification changed everything.

📩 A Second Chance: Deadline Extended

My university professor, Khaled Sohel Mohammad Sir, created a WhatsApp group for our campus participants. I told him we were out, but he revealed the deadline was extended by four more days—and encouraged us to regroup and give it another shot.

It felt like a sign from the universe.

I reassembled my team: Abdullah Fahim, Saikat Hasan, and Ambia Omar Faiza. But we still lacked a seasoned developer. After much effort, we connected with Naim Siddiq, and EcoRangers was born.

📚 Sleepless Nights in the Library

We worked day and night in the university library, driven by passion and a vision to make a difference. Finally, we submitted our project for the preliminary round.

But when the results came—we didn’t make the top 50.

The disappointment was real. I sat with Fahim and Saikat, feeling crushed. But instead of giving up, they encouraged me to keep fighting.

🔄 Rebuilding with Feedback

We sought guidance from Mohammad Zaman Sir, who helped us identify where we went wrong. Armed with constructive feedback, we rebuilt our entire project from scratch.

This time, we received support from amazing mentors like Debabrata Mallick Sir and Sabila Enun Ma’am, who offered continuous feedback and direction. Every suggestion made our project stronger, more impactful.

🎙️ The Voice Recording Challenge

One major hurdle? Voice recording. We struggled to find a quiet environment for high-quality audio. After multiple failed attempts, we approached the university library administration for access to the meeting room—and they recognized our dedication.

Ambia Omar Faiza worked relentlessly on the recordings, until we finally had the perfect version.

🏆 Triumph: EcoRangers Becomes National Champion!

We submitted our final project for the national round and waited in nervous anticipation.

First the second runner-up was announced… then the first runner-up… and then…

EcoRangers — Champion!

We were overjoyed. From rejection to national victory—it was a dream come true. And not just that— Now, we are proud to be one of the Global Finalists—ranked among the top 40 teams in the world.

🔑 Key Takeaways from My Journey

• Resilience is Key: Rejections can hurt, but they often redirect us to greater opportunities.

• Team Dynamics Matter: A team isn’t just about skills—it’s about passion, dedication, and shared vision.

• Seek Feedback: Honest criticism is the fuel for growth.

• Adapt and Overcome: Problems will arise—your ability to find creative solutions is what sets you apart.

• Believe in Yourself: If you don’t, who will?

💬 Final Thoughts

From being told I wasn’t good enough to becoming the national champion and a global finalist, this journey has taught me the true meaning of perseverance, teamwork, and belief.

To anyone reading this—if you have a dream, chase it relentlessly. You never know where it might lead you.

Written by: Fuad Hasan
Software Engineer | Mobile App Developer | NASA Space Apps 2024 Global Finalist 

💫 Let this be your reminder: Rejection isn’t the end. Sometimes, it’s just the beginning.