FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Entering the Challenges

●   Is there an entry fee for the Challenges?

No, there is no entry fee for any of the Design Our Future Challenges.

●   Are students permitted to make submissions as a team?

Yes, unless otherwise required by a specific Challenge, 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 Challenges?

Yes and no. Any individual or team may submit a single Entry to any Challenge, but, no, an individual or a team may not submit multiple entries to a specific Challenge. Submissions are unlimited per school, provided that the submissions are from different individuals or teams. Individuals who are homeschooled are welcome to participate, too. 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?

Unless otherwise required by a specific Challenge, all entries will be submitted via email to [email protected]. The submission timelines on published on each Challenge page.

Requirements for Entry

●   What are the requirements for entry and submissions?

Please check each Challenge page for information on entry requirements, 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 link in the question above and also here.

●   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?

Unless otherwise required by a specific Challenge, 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 for most of our Challenges, unless otherwise required by a specific Challenge. 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] to discuss other possible modifications and options to enable participation.

●   What are the critical dates for each of the Challenges?

The timeline for each Challenge are listed on the pages on this website for each Challenge.