FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Entering the Challenge

●   Is there any entry fee for the Challenge?

No, there is no entry fee.

●   Are students permitted to make submissions as a team?

Yes, students may make submissions in teams, but with a maximum of five members on any team. For team entries, only one team member should submit the entry (and include the names of all of the team members on that submission).  Signed parent/legal guardian consent forms are required for all team members named on a submission.

●   Can an individual, team, or school make more than one submission for the Challenge?

No, an individual or a team may only submit a single entry to the Challenge. Submissions are unlimited per school, provided that the submissions are from different individuals or teams. Individuals who participate and submit as part of a team may not submit as part of another team or as an individual.

●   How do I submit my entry?

All entries will be submitted via email to [email protected]. The submission window will open on November 1, 2024 and close on April 18, 2025. Read more about what is required for Entry and get started on your solution concept design!

●   May homeschool students enter the Challenge?

Yes. Homeschool students, residing within the 50 United States or Washington, D.C. at the time you submit an Entry, who are working toward the completion of a high school degree and who have finished middle school level coursework are eligible to apply (including international students residing in the U.S. meeting these above criteria)?.  Unfortunately, the Challenge is not open to middle school students or students residing outside of the United States, even if U.S. citizens. 

 

Requirements for Entry

●   What are the requirements for entry and submissions?

Visit Entry and the 2024-2025 Challenge for information on submission requirements and judging criteria.

●   Do I need to submit a copy of a U.S. High School identification card or drivers license when I submit my entry?

No. You do not and should not upload a copy of your high school student ID or drivers license when you submit. If selected as an award winner or for honorable mention, you will be asked to send a copy of an ID to confirm eligibility.

Consent Forms

●   How can I access the Parent / Legal Guardian Consent Form?

The form is available to download on the Entry page.

●   If I am 18 years of age and in a U.S. High School, do I need the Parent or Legal Guardian Consent Form signed?

Yes. If you are currently 18 or 19 and in high school, you are still required to have a parent/legal guardian review and sign – by hand – the Parent or Legal Guardian Consent Form.

●   How do we submit the Parent or Legal Guardian Consent Form?

Parent/legal guardian consent forms are submitted as part of your entry via email.

●   Does each member of my team need a Parent or Legal Guardian Consent Form ?

Yes. If you are submitting a team entry, each member of the team must submit a signed Parent or Legal Guardian Consent Form.

 

Requirements for Submissions

●   What do I need to submit?

You must submit a complete Solution Concept Briefing and required Consent Forms. Submissions may also include Additional Documents. Each submission for a team should only be submitted by one team member (but on behalf of and copying all other team members on the email submission).

●   What is included within a complete Solution Concept Briefing?

The Solution Concept Briefing is the core of your entry submission.  In this document, you should ensure that you:

• • Provide a title of the submission
  • List the names of all of the submitters (either an individual or multiple individuals, if a team)
  • List the age, high school (or note homeschool), and city/state of each submitter
  • Provide contact information (email, phone, and address) for each submitter
  • Provide a short summary of your solution concept (less than 500 words)
  • Describe in detail your solution concept and how it addresses your selected challenge topic (as many words as you like)
  • Provide the location (city and state – or even the community/neighborhood) for your solution concept design
  • Develop a graphical representation or multiple graphical representations (including through computer illustrations, photography, and/or hand sketches) of your solution concept
  • Detail the potential benefits of your solution concept design to your community
  • Discuss how the solution concept design could be used outside of your community
  • Detail any positive sustainability, environmental, or health attributes of your design solution (if any)
  • Describe why this solution concept design is meaningful to you (and your team, if submitting as a team)

●   What are the Consent Forms and do I need to submit it?

For a complete (and acceptable) submission, an individual or each team member must also submit a completed and signed Parent or Legal Guardian Consent Form along with the Solution Concept Briefing.

●   Do I need to submit additional documents?

You may (but are not required to) submit any additional documents you believe to be important for the judges to consider in evaluating your submission along with the Solution Concept Briefing. Audio or video files can be included, but should be submitted as a link to a YouTube or Vimeo posting.

●   If I have a disability, what accommodations can be made?

If you are a student with a disability, you may submit an audio and/or video description of your solution concept design (by providing a link to a YouTube or Vimeo posting), as needed, or contact [email protected] by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on April 18, 2025 to discuss other possible modifications and options to enable participation.

●   What are the critical dates for this 2024-2025 Challenge?

The timeline for the Design Our Future U.S. High School 2024-2025 Challenge follows.

• • September 16, 2024: U.S. High School 2024-2025 Challenge Launches
  • November 1, 2024: Submission Period Begins
  • April 18, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time): Submissions Due
  • May 30, 2025 (or earlier): Award winners and honorable mentions are notified and also announced on the website
  • June 6, 2025 (or earlier): Prizes will be distributed to first, second, and third-place winners for each topic