@blockchainatasu.near [Posted on DevHub](https://near.social/#/devgovgigs.near/widget/Post?id=1691) ## Idea: Blockchain at ASU: Proposal for Near Campus # ASU Blockchain Club Overview Blockchain at ASU educates students about blockchain technology's underpinning cryptography and computer science, along with its real-world implications, particularly by hosting hands-on activities and captivating guest speakers. We devise, analyze, and promote blockchain use in creative and diverse domains (like DeFi, healthcare, supply chain, etc.) and advance the research and development of blockchain technologies through a partnership with the ASU Blockchain Research Lab. We aim to create a sustainable community of blockchain enthusiasts and build projects to enhance the ecosystem. # Objectives Our participation in the NEAR Campus Program aligns with the following objectives: Be a bridge between students of the ASU Blockchain club and the NEAR ecosystem, allow Blockchain at ASU’s core members to hack at in-person hackathons, actively participate in the NEAR ecosystem through Near Campus activities, including educational workshops, hackathons, and guest lectures, working together in open-source projects, encouraging members to contribute to open-source Web3 projects actively, fostering a collaborative culture. # Implementation Plan & Activities * Formation of NEAR Node: Establish a dedicated NEAR agenda within ASU Blockchain Club to coordinate NEAR Campus activities: * Workshops and Courses: Host educational workshops covering Web3 basics and explore the possibility of advanced courses tailored to specific Web3 frameworks. # Bootcamp on Rust and NEAR ecosystem (Remotely and/or IRL) * Hackathons and Competitions: Organize hackathons and development competitions, inviting students from ASU. In addition, attend other in-person hackathons. * Guest Lectures and Discussions: Lectures and panel discussions with NEAR and other guests. * Signing up Club members for mentorship with NEAR specialists and organizing two online 1:1 or group sessions. * Internship and Placement Programs: Organize online and IRL job fairs where members can learn about internships and/or job placement opportunities. * Infrastructure Support: Explore opportunities to set up and launch critical Web3 infrastructure components, with a focus on technical assistance, resources, and guidance. # Following up with the activities: * Progress Feedback: The club and Near campus team will engage in follow-up calls to monitor progress in achieving the objectives outlined in this proposal. * Mapping Improvement: Gather feedback from members and stakeholders to continuously improve our NEAR Campus initiatives. * Tracking the path: Generate periodic reports highlighting achievements, successful projects, and lessons learned from participating in NEAR Campus activities. # 3-Month Plan: ASU Blockchain Club's Engagement in NEAR Ecosystem Start Date: [01/01/2024] End Date: [05/12/2024] # Month 1: Awareness and Education ($0) Activities: * Establish the ASU NEAR Node as an official NEAR Campus participant. * Host an introductory webinar on NEAR Protocol for club members and the academic community. * Organize workshops on blockchain fundamentals and NEAR-specific features. 1 IRL and 2 online per term. * Develop materials and resources related to blockchain education for distribution. # Month 2: Building in-person ($2500) Activities: * Launch a NEAR-focused research grant program for student-led projects. * Organize a hackathon IRL with a NEAR development track Prize pool will be based on bounties for builders on NEAR. (50-60 people) * Encourage club members to participate in open-source NEAR projects. # Month 3: Partnerships and Building continued (TBD) Activities: * Join in-person hackathons and conferences with the backing of Near Protocol. As an organization, we plan to send some 6-8 members to attend prominent hackathons and conferences where NEAR is a significant sponsor. Near Protocol will assist our members in attending these events, enabling them to connect with active members from NEAR and other blockchain entities. Some of the potentials hackathons and events we might be attending include: * ETHDenver: Feb 23-Mar 03, 2024 * Consensus: May 29-31, 2024 * Budget and scope of each participation will be defined specifically for each event * Initiate partnerships with NEAR-related projects or startups for internships. # Overall KPIs: * Community Engagement: Monitor the level of engagement within the members and NEAR ecosystem (For example, attendance in the NEAR-focused activities). * Impact: Measure the percentage of participants who reported an improved understanding of the NEAR ecosystem. (If there is a lack of understanding we can organize more workshops and online 1:1). * Blockchain at ASU Hackathon Success: Evaluate Blockchain at ASU’s hackathon success by the number of participants, projects completed, and innovative solutions developed. * Blockchain at ASU Hacker team: Evaluate Blockchain at ASU’s core hacker team at in-person hackathons to measure success. This 3-month plan outlines a structured approach for the ASU Blockchain Club to actively engage with the NEAR ecosystem, fostering education, research, and community growth while contributing to the NEAR Campus initiative. Regular monitoring and reporting will ensure the achievement of set objectives and the overall success of the club's involvement with NEAR.