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 the middle school Challenge, students form teams of two, three, or four and work with a teacher/mentor to identify an environmental issue in their community, research it, develop a plan, collect data, analyze that data, and share the results they've found so far.
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 to find all the information you need to launch a successful project. A teacher/mentor must first register on wecanchange.com and then create his/her team(s). Once you are registered and have an active team, you and your team can just sign in to work on the challenge application. There are also a variety of classroom related resources to support your efforts under the section titled Resources.
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 legal resident of one of the 50 United States or DC and enrolled in 6th through 8th grade at a public, private, parochial or home school located in one of the fifty United States or DC at the time of entry, under the supervision of a teacher, mentor or other adult. See the Official Rules for more information.
What types of ideas have the potential to win the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge?
Team with ideas that demonstrate that they:
- 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
- Drew a conclusion about the effectiveness of the solution based on data
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 local environmental problems
- Utilize student creativity
- Use community involvement
- Get students to recommend how others could use this solution in 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 6 steps (Choose it, Research it, Plan it, Do it, Analyze it, and Share it). There is a final optional step to attach a PDF file that includes graphs, images, or other supporting material, and/or a link to a YouTube video. You will also be asked to include relevant citations each step. To view the middle school challenge application visit the Getting Started section.
How will the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge be judged?
The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge will be judged on the following:
- 1. The Local Environmental Issue or Problem
- 2. Community Engagement
- 3. The Scientific Approach
- 4. A recommendation explaining how to replicate and/or expand the project for other groups
See the 2010-2011 winners.
For more detail on judging requirements, visit the Judging Criteria section of this site.
Are home-school teachers or other adult mentors 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. In addition, we welcome adult mentors who would like to lead a team.
When are applications for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge being accepted?
The 2011-2012 Middle School Challenge begins August 24, 2011 and all submissions are due by March 15, 2012.
When will the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge applications be judged?
There are several phases of judging. The first round of judging will take place on or about March 15, 2012. The second round of judging will take place on or around May 1, 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 local and of manageable size for middle 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. 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 4 students participate?
No, teams must consist of two, three or four students with one teacher or mentor.
Can a student participate on more than one team?
No, students may only participate on one team.
Can a teacher/mentor work with more than one team?
Yes, though a student can only participate on one team.
When will the winners be announced?
Up to 51 State Finalists will be announced on or about May 1, 2012, and the National Finalists will be announced on or about May 15, 2012.
What are the prizes and how many will be awarded?
Please see the Prizes section for full details.
Do all participants of the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge receive anything or just winning teams?
Every team that participates receives an on-line certificate and a screen saver.
How do I access my profile or application?
First the Teacher/Mentor must register for the challenge and form a team. Once this is done, you can sign in at any time to work on the application. Only the teacher/mentor can submit the final 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?
No, the Challenge is for students within one of the 50 United States or DC.
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