News - University of Arkansas
Sixth Annual Siemens 'We Can Change The World' Challenge
As global environmental challenges increase, the Siemens Foundation and Discovery Education are looking to U.S. students, as problem-solvers and future leaders, for innovative solutions. Since 2008, the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge has tasked K-12 students, under the guidance of an advisor, with identifying an environmental issue in their classroom, school or community and creating a replicable green solution for the chance to earn more than $300,000 in scholarships, savings bonds, school grants, and more.
The Challenge, which kicked off this week with a call for entries, pairs student teams with advisors, to develop actionable concepts that can make an impact on their communities. These concepts will be reviewed by a rigorous three-part process with a panel of environmental advocates and science educators who will judge teams based on their research, analysis and the ability of the solution to be replicated on a larger scale.
The Challenge is sponsored by the Siemens Foundation and is administered by Discovery Education. Participating students can find help in turning their ideas into a reality through the aid of a variety of web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education.
"Young people have incredible ideas and unique perspectives on our world. Year after year, the students who participate in the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge continue to devise innovative solutions to pressing environmental problems that affect local communities and the world as a whole," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. "The Challenge is a tremendous opportunity that empowers students to think about and approach local and global environmental issues and we're looking forward to seeing what this year's students will dream up."
School team advisors can register for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, add their student teams and begin formulating their projects at www.wecanchange.com.
The www.wecanchange.com site helps teams get started with a robust free resource section that includes new lesson plans that address Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core for K-12, e-books, virtual labs and more to accompany each stage of the Challenge for each grade level. These materials have been created by Discovery Education, a division of Discovery Communications that provides scientifically proven standards-based digital content and resources to classrooms nationwide.
The deadline for all entries is March 4, 2014. Finalists and winners will then be announced in April 2014. For more information on the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, visit www.wecanchange.com.
type: globe-newsNews origin: GLOBE Implementation Office