Calling all educators serving middle school and high school youth in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties for an entrepreneurial competition
Compete for over $10,000 in prizes and win the
Youth Entrepreneurship Competition title!
Show your Community Pride!
Engage Your Students In Interactive Project-Based Learning
Receive Free Training & 10 Hour Project-Based Curriculum
Help Your Youth Become The CEO Of Their Own Lives
BUILD.org, in partnership with Richard King Mellon Foundation (RKMF), is excited to announce our 2022 Southwestern PA Youth Design Challenge! This youth entrepreneurship competition furthers BUILD and RKMF’s mission to arm our youth with real world experiences and skills.
Students will be led through the human-centered design process to create and pitch their own business idea. Additionally, they'll compete for cash prizes and a partner stipend.
Youth Entrepreneurship Competition Timeline & Details
February - April
Complete 10 Hour Design Challenge
April 15
Video Submission Deadline
April 22
Final Teams Selected
May 5
Final Teams Pitch to Panel of Live Judges
May 24
Final Showcase Viewing Party
The competition will have teams from schools or community organizations across Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. These student teams will experience BUILD’s Thriving Communities Design Challenge. As such, teams will create a product, service, or campaign as a solution for a thriving community.
All youth teams will practice their pitches and create a video as their official competition submission. Moreover, the top 3 business pitches will be invited for a final round of competition where youth will pitch live to a panel of judges. Finally, the top 3 teams with their participating educators and organizations will be awarded.
Educator Benefits & Prizes
BUILD Educator Swag for Participation
Free 90 Minute Professional Development Training on Design Thinking
Free 10-hour Curriculum on Human-Centered Design
Interactive & digitized learning platform
Competition Awards
$150 Stipend to Host a May Viewing Party for Every Participating Class
Cash Prizes for Top 3 Business Teams
1st place=$1000
2nd place=$750
3rd place=$500
Cash Prizes for Winning School/Org (For Educational Need)
1st place=$2,000
2nd place=$1,000
3rd place=$500
Organization pride and the Winning title of Southwestern PA Youth Pitch Competition
RUBRIC
IDEA
The idea directly addresses the problem in the team's POV statement.
The student's idea is innovative and offers a unique premise.
There is a need for this idea in the real world.
PROTOTYPE
The team has a clear example of their idea and explanation of how their product, service, or campaign works by using a prototype (storyboard).
The team offered a clear explanation of how their idea might work through a demonstration, video, or a corresponding method.
PRESENTATION
The presentation had a clear introduction and closing. It follows the presentation guidelines and tips.
Visuals were displayed to show the team's notes/and or prototype. Images and text formatting is clear, neat, and effort is evident.
All team members participated in the presentation.
Clear voice projection was used.
FAQ
What class can the Design Challenge be implemented in?
The Design Challenge can be implemented in all settings with teens. Educators across the country have delivered the Design Challenge in academic courses, CTE classes, enrichment programs, and at Community-Based Organizations and nonprofits (Ex. Boys & Girls Club). The challenge takes about 10 hours to implement. It can be incorporated as a project-based learning unit to help students learn empathy and practice designing solutions for communities.
What are the due dates for the challenge?
All competition video submissions are due by end of day, Friday, April 15, 2022.
Where should I submit my teen’s video?
Competition video submissions should be submitted at this link. The submission form asks for the following:
- Name and emails of the students that make up the business team
- The name of the business
- The school or organization the students represent
- The educator’s name and contact information
- A shareable link to the video
- A shareable link to an accompanying powerpoint or slide deck
- And links to the Educator and Youth Reflection Forms
How long does it take to progress through the Challenge?
It takes about 10 hours to progress through all 5 stages of the design challenge and to prepare the pitch.
When will the final teams be filmed?
The final 3 teams will meet during the school day on Thursday, May 5, 2022 between 9am-2pm to pitch their business idea to a panel of judges at One Valley.
