The Grand Challenges Contest at the USA Science & Engineering Festival
Many of the world’s greatest challenges can be seen as engineering problems. The National Academy of Engineering has identified 14 such challenges, from harnessing solar energy power to providing access to clean water.
What do you think is the world’s biggest challenge?
How would you solve it?
Are you ready to compete for cash and prizes? If so, you’ve got to get in on the Grand Challenges Pitch contest.
We’re giving away $5,000 in cash…
Tell the world your answer
The contest is simple. Just prepare a 60 second presentation explaining your science or engineering solution to one of these three grand challenges. Then come to the USA Science & Engineering Festival to record your presentation.
- Harnessing solar power
- Providing access to clean water
- Restoring urban infrastructure
The solutions are anything but simple
Is there a way, any way, to address these pressing needs of our society? Do you have an answer, or part of an answer? Does your solution come from sharing information better, by creating a superior mechanical, electrical or chemical process, or by undertaking a series of construction projects?
Many of the world’s best engineering minds are turned to these challenges, but perhaps the answers lie in the free-thinking imagination of aspiring young engineers and scientists.
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Middle and High School students: Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each of the 3 grand challenge categories.
College & University students: Prizes will be awarded for 1st place winners in each of the 3 grand challenge categories. – $1,000. |
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To enter, get ready to explain your solution to one of the following 3 engineering grand challenges in 60 seconds:
On the Festival weekend, come to the ENGINEERING.com stage and record your presentation. We’ll post your presentation on special pages on ENGINEERING.com and on the USA Science & Engineering Festival web sites. From there, the world engineering audience, with the help of our judges, will view and score your presentation. There will be separate contests for:
Your presentation must be an original work. You can include research that is in the public domain. We encourage you to use include visual aids. As the date gets closer, we’ll invite you to select a time slot to stop by and make your presentation. |
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How to Enter
Summarize your presentation for the Festival in 100 words or less and submit it. Note that your submission and your pitch can include up to 2 sketches of your idea.
Your pitch and sketch(es) will be posted in advance of the Festival on ENGINEERING.com to facilitate discussion around your idea and to gather Facebook likes. The sooner your submission is made, the greater the chance for discussion about it and the greater number of likes it may earn.
If your submission improves through this discussion, you are free to update your pitch for the Festival.
The top 50 submissions in each challenge will be invited to participate in the recorded pitch contest at the Festival.
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The USA Science & Engineering Festival takes place in Washington DC on April 27th to 29th 2012. [There may also be satellite events at NJ, NC and Austin where ENGINEERING.com stages will be set up.] The opening day for ENGINEERING.com to publish your 100 word summary submission is Monday, September 20, 2011. No new summaries will be published after the deadline on Friday, March 30, 2012. There are limited slots available, so register early. The judges reserve the right to limit the number of presentations. |
http://www.engineering.com/USAScienceFestival/TheGrandChallengesContest.aspx