THE SHOALS– The Big Idea Competition is scheduled for March 10, 2016. Please note that the last date for submission of ideas is February 21, 2016.
We would like for you to submit a digital technology solution to a problem in our Community. Cash Prizes of $3,000 will be given to the winners.
This is an exciting opportunity for those tech-minded individuals to submit their ideas to make our community a better place. You can submit as many ideas as you want (but submit one idea at a time) in 500 words or less or a 3 minute video.
Just What is ‘The Big Idea Competition”? ……. The purpose of the BIG Idea Competition is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship by getting OUR community to . What will we have to do as a community to get there? We are seeking YOUR help to help us identify some of the ideas that we will have to embrace and build on to be a significant player in the digital space. WE hope that some of your ideas will lead to business opportunities and the possibility of creating those opportunities in the Shoals.
RULES
- Contestants need to submit their ideas with the form below or via email as a PDF. If submitting via email, the file should include these 2 items: 1) A page with the credentials (name; affiliation with school/institution/organization; cell phone number) of the contestants; 2) Either a link to their own YouTube video (3 min max) OR a page with their ideas (limit: 500 words) by February 21, 2016. A sample cover page should look like this:
Name____________________________ Email Address ____________________________
Affiliation (School/University/Organization _________________________Grade ____________
Cell phone ________________________Preferred Method of Contact_________________
I would like my/our entry to be considered for the following category______________(Please pick one of these 3 categories: K–12/University/Community) - All entries have to be submitted digitally via the form below or to the following email address: shoalsbigidea@gmail.com.
- Individuals and teams can participate in this IDEA Competition. The credentials page should state the names of the team members.
- Individuals and team members can submit multiple ideas.
- The top entries in each category will be notified by March 1, 2016.
- Contestants who enter the Big Idea must be available to present to the judges on Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 5–7 pm.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
In 500 words or less or in a video (3 min. max), please state
- Unique Ideas for Digital Technology: Imagination & Creativity (10 points)
- Problem that the Idea addresses (5 points)
- Potential Benefits from the Idea (5 points)
- Why will this IDEA work? (5 points)
PRESENTATION EVALUATION
Each Presenter will have 3 minutes to present to the judges followed by 2 minutes of Q&A. Judges will be looking for the following:
- Imagination & Creativity leading to Uniqueness of the Idea (5 points)
- Problem that the Idea addresses (5 points)
- Potential Benefits from the Idea (5 points)
- Passion (5 points)
- How practical is this idea? (5 points)
Media Release/Dr. Santanu Borah
