FAQs
What is the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge?
The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is a K-12 sustainability challenge. For high school, students form teams of two, three, or four students and work with a teacher/mentor to identify an environmental issue with implications beyond their community, research it, develop a plan, collect data, analyze that data, and share the results they've found so far. The issue chosen should have a global impact and their solution should be replicable beyond their local community. Students should select a topic that falls under at least one of the following topics: Energy, Biodiversity, Land Management, Water Conservation & Clean-up, Air & Climate.
How do I participate in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge?
Visit the Getting Started section of the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge website to find all the information you need to launch a successful project. An adult teacher or mentor must register on wecanchange.com and then create his/her high school team(s). Students on the team(s) will then receive passwords to access the application.
Who is eligible to participate in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge?
Teams may be made up of two, three, or four students, each of whom is a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident of one of the 50 United States or DC enrolled in 9th through 12th grade at a public, private, parochial or home school located in one of the 50 United States or DC, under the supervision of a teacher, mentor or other adult.
What types of projects will win the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge?
The most successful team ideas demonstrate that the team has:
- researched background information to help define the problem or issue
- used the background information to develop the solution plan
- collected data as the plan is carried out
- used the data, both qualitative and quantitative, in analyzing the results
- drawn a conclusion about the effectiveness of the solution based on data
- created a solution that can be replicated beyond their local community
- shared ideas/give recommendations for replication
- reached out to others to spread the word and motivate them to get involved
See winning projects from 2010-2011.
What are the goals of the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge?
The goals of the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge are to:
- engage students in identifying and solving environmental problems
- utilize student creativity and innovation
- encourage community and network involvement
- recommend how others could use this solution outside their communities
What specifically must be included on the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge application?
The application must be filled out completely, and must include information on all of the six steps (Identify & Research a Problem, Plan and Design, Analyze & Provide Results, State Your Conclusion, Share It). You will also be asked to include relevant citations each step. In the last step of the application, you have option of including one PDF file and one link to a YouTube video.
View the high school Challenge application.
How will the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge be judged?
The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will be judged by an independent, qualified judging panel on the following:
- Identification of environmental issue or problem
- Research to Support Identified Problem Statement
- Scientific Approach/Plan
- Replication/Expansion Strategy
For more detailed judging requirements, visit Judging Criteria.
Are home-school teachers eligible to apply for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge?
Yes, home-school teachers and home-school students are both eligible to apply.
When are applications for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge being accepted?
The Challenge is open from August 24, 2011 to March 15, 2012. All applications must be submitted by March 15, 2012.
When will the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge applications be judged?
There are several phases of judging that will take place between March 15, 2012 and May 15, 2012.
What if our project is ongoing? Do the teams need to have completed a project in order to qualify, or can they submit a project in progress?
Problems or issues that students choose should be of manageable size for high school students to take on. It is not essential that the solution be carried out to full completion, but the process should be started and some results collected. There must also be ideas or recommendations for how the project/solution can be replicated by others. If you are continuing work on a project that was started before August 24, 2011, you must cite any prior work appropriately within your application.
Can teams of more than four students participate?
No, teams must consist of two, three or four students with one teacher or mentor and one student identified as the student team leader.
Can a student participate on more than one team?
No, students may only participate on one team. However, a teacher/mentor may have more than one team.
When will the winners be announced?
Up to 51 State Finalists will be announced on or about May 1, 2012 and the winners will be announced on or about May 15, 2012.
What are the prizes and how many will be awarded?
Please see the Prizes page for full details.
How do I access my profile or application?
Simply sign-in to access your profile and application. Note that a teacher/mentor must first register and create your team. Then all team members have access to work on the application.
I can't remember my password. How can I access my application?
Teachers/Mentors can reset their registration password. Click on the password reset button. You will then be prompted asked to input your email address. A system generated password will then be emailed to you. You can use thus password going forward, or reset the password in the "My Profile" area.
Students who forget their team password need to go to their teacher/mentor to retrieve it. All teachers/mentors will have a summary of team passwords.
Is the Challenge open to students outside of the United States?
The Challenge is open to students within one of the fifty states and DC.
Ready to get started? Register Now. Already registered? Sign-in to your account.
