JUST ANNOUNCED: See the 2012 Challenge Finalists

Rules

THE SIEMENS "WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD"

HIGH SCHOOL CHALLENGE

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES - UPDATED 8/24/2011

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

1.   TERM:  The Siemens "We Can Change the World" High School Challenge ("Contest") begins at 12:01 AM Eastern Time ("ET") on August 24, 2011 and ends at 11:59 pm ET on March 15, 2012 ("Term").  Discovery Communications, LLC ("Sponsor") reserves the right in its sole discretion to extend the deadline and if chooses to do so, will notify all registrants of this decision and post notice of such deadline extension at the Contest website. 

2.   PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:  The objective of the Contest is for teachers, mentors or other adults to work with and supervise teams of two, three, or four eligible students (each a "Team" and, collectively, "Teams"), in the creation of a Contest entry which identifies an environmental problem, provides a plan to positively impact that issue, and encourages the expansion or replication of the plan in the Team's community and beyond.  Further, each Team must designate one of the student team members as their selected Team Leader.  Entry will demonstrate global implications and must:

  • Identify an environmental issue or problem to address.
  • Demonstrate International Solution Sharing by stating a problem that may be local, national or global, but the solution should be able to be applied on global scale, in one or more countries. 
  • Demonstrate creativity and innovation
    • a. In the solution
    • b. In application of the solution
    • c. Use of multiple types of media/resources
  • Demonstrate a scientific approach
    • a. Solution results are based on data
    • b. Solution is researched before starting
  • Illustrate sharing and replication to a larger audience
    • a. Sharing the solution with others
    • b. Applying the solution to more locations
  • Elements must have the following elements to be considered:
    • Problem
    • Background showing research into the problem
    • Scientific method/plan
    • Data (complete project or pilot project data)
    • Data analysis and conclusion
    • How to replicate
    • Proposed expansion
    • International implication/connection

The entry can be a continuation of a prior project, however any work done prior to the Term must be identified and only work done during the Term will judged.  Additional information and tips for creating an effective Contest entry will be available online at the Contest website, www.wecanchange.com.  The Team's Teacher/Mentor (as defined in Section 3) must register the Team at www.wecanchange.com.  The designated student Team Leader is responsible for the final submission of the application.  All team members are responsible for contributing to the entry.  Contest entries must be submitted online at www.wecanchange.com. 

3.   REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS/MENTORS:  Each Team shall be supervised by one teacher, mentor or other adult who is a legal resident of one of the 50 United States or Washington DC, age 18 or older ("Teacher/Mentor").  The Teacher/Mentor will be responsible for registering the team at www.wecanchange.com, creating the team online, and provide overall guidance to the Team.  Employees of the Sponsor, the College Board, the National Science Teachers Association (the "NSTA"), their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, the Contest administrator, advertising and promotion agencies and members of the immediate families (spouses and parents, children and siblings and their spouses) and persons living in the same household of such individuals (collectively, "Affiliated Parties") are not eligible to be a Teacher/Mentor. 

4.   TEAMS:  Each Team may be made up of two, three, or four students, each of whom is a legal resident of one of the 50 United States or Washington DC and enrolled in 9th through 12th grade at a public, private, parochial or home school located in the one of the 50 United States or DC. Children and siblings of employees of any Affiliates Parties may participate but are not eligible to win a prize.  Eligibility may be verified by the Sponsor at any time; any determinations of eligibility will be made by the Sponsor whose decisions are final.

5.   PERSONAL DATA AND PARENTAL CONSENT:  Sponsor and the Siemens Foundation (the "Foundation") will be collecting personal information from the Teacher/Mentors and team members at the time of entry.  This information will be used in accordance with the Sponsor and the Foundation's privacy policies, located at http://dsc.discovery.com/utilities/about/privacypolicy.html and http://w1.siemens.com/about/en/footer/privacy.htm. 

In order to fulfill the prizes, the Sponsor may need to collect additional personal information from the members of a particular Team in case the Team is selected as a potential First, Second, Third or State prize winner in the Contest.  In such an instance, the Sponsor will ask the applicable Teacher/Mentor and/or student Team Leader to provide Sponsor with an executed parental consent form for each Team member.  This form must be completed by a parent or legal guardian of each participant in order for each Team member to continue participating in the Contest.  In addition, the Teacher/Mentor and the parent or legal guardian will be required to execute the prize documents described in Sections 9 and 10 of these Official Rules.  Without completing and returning such consent, the affected student may not receive the applicable prize and could be disqualified from the Contest.  The Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, opt to waive such parental requirements for any winning student who has reached the age of majority in his/her jurisdiction of residence.

6.   TO SUBMIT AN ENTRY:  The Teacher/Mentor must visit www.wecanchange.com to access the Contest online entry form and must complete the required information about his or her Team in the registration process and create the team online.  After registering and creating a Team, the Team members may work on the application which can only be submitted by the designated student Team Leader.  Entries must be received by the Sponsor's server by 11:59 PM ET on March 15, 2012.  The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to extend the entry deadline and if this occurs, all Teacher/Mentors and/or student Team Leaders will be notified and notice of such deadline extension will be posted at the Contest website.  The entry must be in the Team's own words, but the Teacher/Mentor may assist and supervise the students in their preparation and organization of the entry.  The student Team Leader is responsible for submitting the application online.  Limit: ONE ENTRY, PER TEAM.  Students may not participate as a member of more than one Team.  A Teacher/Mentor may have more than one team.  In the event that the Sponsor learns that one student is on two separate participating Teams, it may disqualify both Teams or ask the Teacher/Mentor to remove the student from one or both of the Teams.  Any disputes between Team members are solely the responsibility of the Teacher/Mentor and the Teacher/Mentor may not substitute or change Team members after entry without receiving the written permission from the Sponsor.  Entries must be completed in English. 

7.   WARRANTY AND IP RIGHTS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The Teacher/Mentor named on the registration warrants and represents that (i) the entry is entirely the original work of the Team, was written by the Team and was created by the Team with the supervision and assistance of the Teacher/Mentor (ii) the Teacher/Mentor owns or otherwise controls all of the rights to the entry, (iii) the entry does not violate any law, regulation or any right of any third-party, including but not limited to rights of copyright, publicity and privacy; and (iv) he or she has obtained the appropriate permission from each of the Team members begin the registration process and create the Team.

Submitting an entry that is copyrighted by another individual will result in the Teacher/Mentor being responsible for any legal action the legal copyright holder might take against the Teacher/Mentor, Sponsor, the Foundation (or its affiliates) or the Team.  Entries may not defame or invade the rights of publicity or privacy of any person, living or deceased, or otherwise infringe upon a person's personal or proprietary rights.  Submissions that are deemed by the judges in their sole discretion to be not in keeping with the Sponsor's or the Foundation's respective image will be void.  The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry at any time which, in the Sponsor's reasonable opinion, endangers the safety or well being of any person or in the event it is determined that the entrant has not complied with these Official Rules.  The Sponsor is under no obligation to correspond about entries.  Entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

8.   JUDGING AND JUDGING CRITERIA:  There will be two rounds of judging (judging will not be based on blind reads), each of which is described below. 

First Round.  After the completion of the Term and beginning on or about March 16, 2012, the entries will be screened by Discovery Education and will be judged by a panel of judges from Discovery Education's partner organizations, educators and science professionals, based on the following judging criteria (the "Judging Criteria"): 

  • Identification of Sustainability-Related Issue or Problem (21.5% of total score) - How well does the entry describe the negative effects of the environmental issue or problem with global implications? Has a hypothesis been developed?
  • Plan and Design (21.5% of total score) - Does the entry thoughtfully develop and clearly articulate its plan using scientific method with experimental design, project steps, timeline for completion, necessary resources, proposed method, anticipated results, and data collection? Are team members roles clearly defined?
  • Data Analysis (21.5% of total score) - How well does the entry analyze quantitative and qualitative data?
  • Creativity and Conclusion (21.5% of total score) - Is the solution unique? What are the global implications of the solution? How well does the entry describe the project results and challenges?
  • Replication and Expansion - (14% of total score) - How did the team communicate findings? Did the team involve others in their project? How well did the team recommend how other communities might benefit from the solution?

Using the above criteria, the judges will score each entry and select one Team from each state, including the District of Columbia.  Each of these Teams will be named a "State Winner".  In the event of a tie, the entry with the highest combined score in the categories "Replication and Expansion" and "Plan and Design" will be named the winner (tie breaking score thereafter will be "Creativity and Conclusion").  If an insufficient number of qualified entries is received from any state, the Sponsor may award fewer than fifty-one State Winners.  The "State Winner Prize" is described below.  The Teacher/Mentors of the State Winners will be notified by email, phone, postal mail or express mail, beginning on or about May 1, 2012.  At that time, the Teacher/Mentor will be asked to provide the parental consent described in Section 5 of these Official Rules.  If a group of students from different states form a Team, the state of that Team's Teacher/Mentor shall dictate which state the Team is representing when choosing State Winners. 

Second Round. Beginning on or about May 1, 2012, each State Winner will be evaluated by a panel of judges from Discovery Education's partner organizations, which may include but is not limited to the College Board, the NSTA,  the North American Association for Environmental Education, Discovery Networks' Advisory Committees, the U.N., National Governor's Association, and Educational Testing Service. 

Using the Judging Criteria, the Second Round judges will score each State Winner entry and select the First, Second and Third Place potential winners.  The potential First Place winner will be the Team with the highest score, the potential Second Place winner will be the Team with the second highest score and the potential Third Place winner will be the Team with the third highest score.  In the event of a tie, the entry with the highest combined score in the categories "Replication and Expansion" and "Plan and Design" will be named the winner (tie breaking score thereafter will be "Creativity and Conclusion".  If an insufficient number of qualified entries is received, Sponsor may award less than the stated number of Team and Teacher/Mentor Prizes described below.  The Teacher/Mentors of the First, Second and Third Place Teams will be notified by email, phone, postal mail or express mail, on or about May 15, 2012.

If the Teacher/Mentor does not respond to any of the notification attempts described herein within the time period specified within the notification, then such Team will be disqualified and an alternate potential Team will be selected from among all eligible entries received based on the judging criteria described herein.

9.   TEAM PRIZES:

First Place Prize:  A grand total of $50,000 in scholarship funds will be divided equally between the student members of the First Place Prize-winning Team (please see scholarship terms below).  Total Approximate Retail Value ("ARV") will vary between $12,500 and $25,000 per person, depending on whether the First Place Prize-winning team has two, three, or four members. The first place team will also win a trip to a major U.S. city, such as New York, anticipated to be two days and one night, to tell their story at a United Nations event or similar venue (ARV $2,000).

Second Place Prize:  A grand total of $25,000 in scholarship funds will be divided equally between the student members of the Second Place Prize-winning Team (please see scholarship terms below).  Total ARV will vary between $6,250 and $12,500 per person, depending on whether the Second Place Prize-winning team has two, three, or four members. 

Third Place Prize:  A grand total of $10,000 in scholarship funds will be divided equally between the student members of the Third Place Prize-winning Team (please see scholarship terms below).  Total ARV will vary between $2,500 and $5,000 per person, depending on whether the Third Place Prize-winning team has two, three, or four members. 

State Winner Prizes:  Each member of a State winning Team will receive a prize package of Discovery "Green" merchandise valued at approximately $50.  The prize will be awarded to the Teacher/Mentor of the applicable Team, who will be responsible for ensuring each Team member receives the prize.

Honorable Mention Prizes, if any:  After the State winners have been determined, at the Sponsor's sole discretion, one or more of the next highest scoring entries may be awarded an Honorable Mention prize.  If selected, each member of an Honorable Mention Prize-winning team will receive a certificate of achievement.  The prize will be awarded to the Teacher/Mentor of the applicable Team, who will be responsible for ensuring each Team member receives the prize.

The First, Second, Third and State Prizes will not be awarded without Sponsor first receiving each Team member's parental consent.  Each member of the First, Second, Third and State prize Teams must provide the Sponsor with the appropriate consent and also may be required to complete an affidavit of eligibility, liability and (where legal) publicity release which must be returned within the time period specified in the notification letter or the Sponsor may select an alternate winner or disqualify that member of the Team.  Scholarship award money will be sent directly to the accredited undergraduate or graduate college or university the winning students select.  In order to continue receiving the scholarship, students must be enrolled full-time and making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.

Scholarship funds can be used for:

  • Tuition and fees required for enrollment
  • Fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for  courses of instruction at the school that are required for graduation
  • On-campus room and board
  • Costs associated with a winner's participation in scientific research (only) at the institution in which the winner is enrolled, within, or beyond his/her regular courses of curriculum

If any such scholarship payment is returned to the Sponsor due to non-enrollment of the winner, the scholarship funds in question will be forfeited.  Only one scholarship payment per school year will be made.  Funds will be made within 30 days of approved requests by winners.  Requests for funds must be accompanied by a valid billing statement from the applicable college or university.  Funds will be forfeited if not used within four (4) years of winner's high school graduation date.

The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to choose one parent of a member of the First Place team and/or (an)other individual(s), if any, to act as chaperones for the First Place students on the prize trip.  All trip details will be determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion.  Prize trip will include round trip coach air travel for one person from a major commercial airport near winner's home (as determined by the Sponsor), hotel accommodations for one (1) night, admission or participation fees for activities planned by the Sponsor, all meals and ground transportation.  Actual value will be determined by winner's residence and destination of the trip.  All other expenses not specifically mentioned are the sole responsibility of winner's parent/legal guardian.  Travel and accommodations are subject to availability and certain restrictions.  Air carriers, hotels and other transportation selected by the Sponsor.  Black-out dates may apply.  The parent/legal guardian of winner is responsible for any travel insurance.  Trip must be taken at time determined by the Sponsor or trip portion of the prize will be forfeited in its entirety and replaced with an alternate prize determined by the Sponsor.  The Sponsor will make reasonable efforts to accommodate all winning team member schedules.  The Sponsor reserves the right to award an alternative prize in the event that a prize is unavailable or inapplicable.

10. TEACHER/MENTOR AND SCHOOL PRIZES:

First Place Prize:  The Teacher/Mentor of the First Place Team will receive free registration to the next NSTA National (or Regional) Conference and hotel accommodations for 3 nights at the conference (ARV $500).  The Teacher/Mentor of the First Place Team will also win a trip to accompany the First Place Team to a major U.S. city, such as New York, anticipated to be two days and one night, to tell their story at a United Nations event or similar venue (ARV $2,000).  The school associated with the First Place entry will receive a $5,000 grant awarded in the form of a check (total ARV $7,500).

Second Place Prize:  The Teacher/Mentor of the Second Place Team will receive free registration to the next NSTA National (or Regional) Conference and hotel accommodations for 2 nights at the conference (ARV $300).  The school associated with the Second Place entry will receive a $1,000 grant awarded in the form of a check (total ARV $1,300).

Third Place Prize:  The Teacher/Mentor of the Third Place Team will receive free registration to the next NSTA National (or Regional) Conference and hotel accommodations for one night at the conference (ARV $200).  The school associated with the Third Place entry will receive a $500 grant awarded in the form of a check (total ARV $700).

State Winner Prize:  Each Teacher/Mentor of a State Winner Team will receive a one-year membership to NSTA (ARV $100).

Teacher/Mentors and the schools associated with a winning entry may be required to complete an affidavit of eligibility, liability and (where legal) publicity release within the time period specified in the notification document.  In the event a Teacher/Mentor and/or the associated school do not complete these documents as directed, the Sponsor may disqualify the associated Team and select an Alternative Winner in its place.  In the case of dispute over which school is associated with a particular entry, the Sponsor reserves the right to designate a school in its sole discretion.  It is the Sponsor's intention that a winning school's use of a grant prize be made in the area of science or technology. Schools receiving a prize will be asked to provide evidence of their tax exempt status.  If any such school does not have satisfactory evidence of tax exempt status (in the Sponsor's sole discretion), the Sponsor reserves the right to award any applicable grant prize to the applicable Teacher/Mentor in the form of a check.  Teacher/Mentors not associated with a school are not eligible to win the grant awarded to the First, Second or Third Prize winners.

The Teacher/Mentor of the First Place Team will act as a chaperone for the students on the prize trip.  All trip details will be determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion.  Prize trip will include round trip coach air travel for one person from a major commercial airport near winner's home (as determined by the Sponsor), hotel accommodations for one (1) night, admission or participation fees for activities planned by the Sponsor, all meals and ground transportation.  Actual value will be determined by winner's residence and destination of the trip.  All other expenses not specifically mentioned are the sole responsibility of the winner.  Travel and accommodations are subject to availability and certain restrictions.  Air carriers, hotels and other transportation selected by the Sponsor.  Black-out dates may apply.  Winner is responsible for any travel insurance.  Trip must be taken at time determined by the Sponsor or trip portion of the prize will be forfeited in its entirety and replaced with an alternate prize determined by the Sponsor.  The Sponsor will make reasonable efforts to accommodate all winning team member schedules.  The Sponsor reserves the right to award an alternative prize in the event that a prize is unavailable or inapplicable.

11. TAXES: All applicable taxes on prizes and all expenses related to acceptance and use of prizes and not specified are the sole responsibility of prize recipients.  

12. PRIZE RESTRICTIONS:  No prize can be transferred, substituted or redeemed for cash except at the Sponsor's sole discretion.  The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater value if a prize cannot be awarded as described for any reason.  Limit one prize per person.  Odds of winning any prize depends on the number of eligible entries received during the Contest and the relative performance of the entrants.

13. RELEASE:  By participating, entrants agree [a] to these Official Rules and to decisions of the Sponsor and the Foundation, which shall be final in all respects relating to this Contest; and [b] to release, discharge and hold harmless Sponsor, the Foundation, the NSTA, the College Board, their respective affiliates and subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, agents and representatives, and their respective officers, directors and employees (collectively, "Releasees") from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind resulting from their participating in the Contest or their acceptance, use or misuse of a prize including, without limitation, personal injury, death and property damage, and claims based on publicity rights, copyright, trademark, defamation or invasion of privacy.  In addition, Releasees are not responsible for and shall not be liable for [a] electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties of any kind, including without limitation, server malfunction or by any human error which may occur in the processing of entries; [b] failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions; [c] lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete entries or postage-due mail; or [d] any condition caused by events beyond the control of the Sponsor that may cause the promotion to be disrupted or corrupted.

14. RIGHT TO CANCEL & DISQUALIFY:  The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest or any portion thereof should viruses, bugs or other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor corrupt the administration, security or proper play of the Contest, and limit entries to those submitted prior to the action taken, or to proceed in such a manner as may be deemed fair and equitable by the Sponsor in its sole discretion.  Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Contest or website or who are in violation of these Official Rules, as solely determined by the Sponsor, will be disqualified and all associated entries will be void. 

15. RIGHTS IN ENTRY MATERIALS:   Teachers/Mentors hereby assign to the Sponsor and the Foundation: [a] all rights of ownership, reproduction and use of essay and entry materials for any purpose whatsoever without compensation or further permission, including but not limited to an irrevocable and perpetual, royalty-fee, worldwide right, in all media (now known or later developed) to use, publish, alter or otherwise exploit entries; and [b] use of Teacher/Mentor's name, school, city and state and/or photograph and any video footage of winners recorded on any prize trip for programming, advertising, publicity and promotional purposes without compensation (unless prohibited by law) and without prior approval or inspection, and agree to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so.  

16. WINNERS LIST:  To receive a list of winners, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to be received by September 30, 2012, to:  Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge High School Winners, PMI Station, PO Box 750, Southbury, CT 06488-0750.  Residents of Vermont need not supply return postage.

17. SPONSOR:  Discovery Communications, LLC, One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, MD  20910.

©2011 Discovery Education.  All rights reserved.

Ready to get started? Register Now. Already registered? Sign-in to your account.