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BUILD.org, in partnership with Richard King Mellon Foundation (RKMF), is excited to announce our 2022 Southwestern PA Youth Design Challenge! This competition furthers BUILD and RKMF’s mission to arm our youth with real world experiences and skills.
In this competition, youth will be led through the human-centered design process to create and pitch their own business idea. Youth and their organization will compete for cash prizes, partner stipend, and the title of BUILD’s inaugural Southwestern PA Youth Challenge Champion.
Competition Timeline & Details
February - April
Complete 10 Hour Design Challenge
April 20 5PM EST
Video Submission Deadline
April 22
Final Teams Selected
May 5
10am - 2pm EST Final Teams Pitch
to Panel of Live Judges
May 24
4 - 5 pm EST Final Showcase Viewing Party
Youth business teams from schools and community based organizations across Allegheny and Westmoreland counties experienced BUILD’s Thriving Communities Design Challenge this year! They created a product, service, or campaign that provides a solution to support a thriving community.
Youth business teams practiced their pitches and created a video as their official competition submission. On May 24th, you will watch the top 3 business pitches in the final round of competition! Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams, their organization, and all educators who participated in the challenge!
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.
want to talk with us?
Thinking of participating next year and have questions or would like to learn more information from a BUILD staff member?
Please email Rashaida Melvin at rmelvin@build.org or fill out the form below.
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Tuesday, May 24 4pm EST / 1pm PST
Presentation & Slide Preparation
Each business team should submit a 2-4 minute video of their business pitch.
On the video submission form, students should submit a video and the accompanying slide deck
1. Introduction – Greet the audience and introduce yourselves
2. Empathize: Meet our client – Introduce your client and describe their characteristics
3. Define: Point of View (POV) statement – State your POV problem statement (what problem or need you are trying to address with your idea)
4. Ideate: Our idea – State your team’s product/service/campaign idea that aims to help your client
5. Prototype - Your prototype is an example of your product/service/campaign. It can be a skit, storyboard, or physical model. Show a picture of your idea prototype, act it out, or show it for the camera! Explain how your product/service works, or explain how you will launch and run your campaign
1. iPhone, iPad, Zoom and Loom are all choices of recording tools for their video presentation
2. Record with both students and their presentation in view
3. Record horizontally for the best view of the students and their presentation
4. Follow Presentation Diagram to the Right
PRESENTATION TIPS.
- Make eye contact with the camera
- Notecards may be used as cue cards
•Pro Tip: Notecards should avoid having a full script
- Even when you are not speaking, don’t forget the camera is still recording!
•Be aware of your body language while you and your business partners are speaking
- Everyone has an opportunity to speak
- Professional dress is encouraged
- Practice makes perfect
•Practice how you will transition from each speaker
•Project your voice when you speak
Follow positioning format Above
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