A fast paced, high-stakes contest where students compete for cash and glory.
Based on the successful prototype hosted at The Leonardo in December 2011, Race for Innovation will feature 100 Utah high school students selected from video or live speed pitches. Students will work in teams in this intense, three-day race, where they will receive a real-world problem based on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) that needs an innovative answer.
With coaching from industry expert mentors, the competitors will design and build a prototype solution. The final challenge will be to convince a panel of expert judges from industry, government, and academia. The winning team will be rewarded with cash and prizes, but every student will walk away with hands-on experience, and a taste of what it means to be a real innovator.
"I loved working with the people in my group, the feeling of satisfaction we got when we actually managed to pull everything together, and also being pushed as much as we were. I think that having our creativity and our ideas prodded to maximum potential was a very good thing."
"It was so fun to be surrounded with smart, intelligent people. I loved talking about different interests of those in your groups. In my group, we said several times that we wished school projects were this fun! It was great to meet new friends while putting our minds together to come up with solutions to real world problems."
"I think it is really cool that there are people, in high school, who want to help make the world a better place by innovating REAL problems.”
High school talent scouting starts in September for the Race for Innovation competition in mid-December. Watch this page for updates, or sign up here to receive e-mail updates.
For Race for Innovation sponsorship opportunities contact Deborah Peterson at dpeterson@theleonardo.org
