First "Beagle Challenge" group meet

The first meeting of the "Beagle Challenge group" met this evening. I was really pleased that we got about 14 people to attend, all of which have now signed up to the Google group. It was important that everyone realised that you don't need building or scripting skills to take part. The group also needs researchers and authors for the literature that will go with the models. I detailed that it would be nice for the eventual build to be donated to the International Space Museum but the group also felt that this and any other models we may undertake should also be displayed in an exhibition space on the OU/Schome island too.  I'll approach the owners of the island to see if this is possible. It would make sense that we show what the residents of the island are capable of.

I found the discussion quite heavy going at times. I still haven't perfected the art of managing an online conversation where more then two people are involved. The problem is that there is often several different conversations going on at once. This makes it hard to follow. Subsequently,  participants lose track of what is being proposed and accepted. As an example, each person who takes part will have a specific responsibility. Those responsibilities have not yet been assigned but members of the group where already undertaking certain tasks (researching, creating groups etc), which led to a duplication of effort and some confusion.

So the initial outcomes where :

Each member will write a short resume. This will detail skills, interests and what they would like to get out of the group.

A document will be posted that will allow each group member to take on a task. Hopefully, each member will stick to the task given and not encroach on the tasks of others.

The first tasks that need to be completed are those of the researchers. We need documentation, images, dimensions etc. How does the science work? How does the lander operate? all these things need to be clear so the builders have a clear idea of what the final model should look like and how it should behave.

We will meet again in a week to discuss progress. While the build is ongoing, Those builders and scripters that are willing will hopefully let us know when they are working on the project so others can join them and either learn by observing or better still, if the builder/scripter would talk through what they are attempting to do.

So many people with so many skills and such enthusiasm may prove to be quite a challenge.