Calling all inventors!

We are really excited to launch our first ever “Inventor’s Challenge” with our wonderful collaborators at AT&T Aspire, and YOU!

Activities kick off today and conclude on Friday, March 11, 2016. The goal is simple: kids are encouraged to make something original, cool, useful, maybe even wacky… but the point is to invent something that solves a problem in their schools or communities.

To enter the Challenge, register here and then download the Playbook. Keep in mind that this Playbook is a work in progress. We hope it’s useful to you, but we are eager for your input to help make the Playbook and the Challenge better and better.

Also, for a chance at winning some fun prizes, we want you to make a short 3-minute (or less) video to showcase an invention and upload it to YouTube by the end of Friday, March 11, 2016. And then send us the link at hello@imagination.is. Videos will be added to Imagination Foundation’s 2016 Inventor’s Challenge YouTube Playlist.

What will you Invent?

We want kids to take whatever resources they have and make something that solves a problem in their schools and communities. Get out there and make something! And don’t forget to share it online using #inventorschallenge and #ATTimpact. For a chance at winning prizes, we invite you to upload an original video of a creative kid (or creative kids) showcasing an invention. Upload the video to YouTube and send us the link at hello@imagination.is. Keep in mind that By entering the Contest, you certify that you are the parent/guardian of child pictured and/or are authorized to submit the video. Also, below is some technical and legal information for the Challenge. Please take a look.

• Register your challenge at inventorschallenge.org
• Choose one invention you want to showcase in the video
• Tips on what to include in your video:
  • What’s the name of your invention?
  • What problem does it solve?
  • What does it do?
  • What inspired you to create your invention?
  • Who does your invention help?
  • Did you run into any challenges? How did you overcome them?
  • Share your ideas, sketches, and prototypes.
• Recommended length: 3 minutes or less (but whatever it takes to realize your artistic vision!)
• Set the video in a quiet location with good lighting and a non-distracting background
• Mention the Inventor’s Challenge, Imagination Foundation and AT&T Aspire in your video
• Upload to your video to YouTube and send an email to hello@imagination.is with “2016 Inventor’s Challenge Contest Submission” in the subject line with a link to your video on YouTube by 11:59 pm PST on Friday, March 11, 2016
• In the YouTube description section, include a short blurb about your invention, please mention Imagination Foundation, AT&T Aspire and include the URL inventorschallenge.org (You can also include links to blog posts, your organization’s website/facebook, etc. in this section)
• Video must be your own original work

Sponsor

This Contest is sponsored by Imagination Foundation (P.O. Box 861755, Los Angeles, CA 90086), in collaboration with AT&T Aspire. The Contest is in no way sponsored by, endorsed by, administered by, or associated with, YouTube or any other social media company.

Entry Period

The Contest begins at 12:00am PST on February 16, 2016 and ends at 11:59pm PST on March 11, 2016 (the “Entry Period”). Entries submitted before or after the Entry Period will not be eligible.

How to Enter

All videos must be uploaded to YouTube. Officially enter the contest by sending an email to hello@imagination.is with “2016 Inventor’s Challenge Contest Submission” in the subject line with a link to your video on YouTube by 11:59 pm PST on Friday, March 11, 2016.

You may enter an unlimited number of times, but you may not use an agency or automated system to enter. Imagination Foundation reserves the right to reject any additional entries or entries that do not comply with these Official Rules. By entering, you indicate your unconditional agreement to, and acceptance of, these Official Rules and Imagination Foundation’s decisions, which are final and binding. You cannot win a prize unless you comply with all requirements in these Official Rules.

Judging

Videos will be judged on the following criteria:

• Originality: An original invention is unique among the entries, and, in fact, may be something the judges have never seen before at all!
• Level of inspiration: An “inspired” invention springs from an interesting source, such as a problem that it can help to solve. It has the potential to make a real difference!
• Overall creativity: A creative invention is both novel/ original and useful. The judges will also look for creativity in the video presentation as part of this category.

Judging will be conducted by a panel of Imagination Foundation and AT&T employees. The Panel will evaluate all valid entries and pick a first place, a second place, and a third place winner.

For more details and contest rules, please click here. And questions? Email hello@imagination.is for answers.

 

Good luck and happy inventing!