Guide for Conducting “Community Challenges” in Space Physics Earth and Space Science

The Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) program regularly issues “community challenges” in which researchers examine a particular space physics phenomenon or geomagnetic activity event, often running numerical models to assess dominant processes and understand the timing and relationship of observed signatures. The GEM Methods and Validation Resource Group helps those GEM focus group leaders running challenges to maximize participation and optimize scientific return from the significant time investment of these endeavors. This article gives a brief history of GEM community challenges and details those best practices that lead to an inclusive and valuable experience.