How to Organize a Student Project Contest

Youth, ambition, and learning represent the best driving forces for innovation. Student projects are organized to discover new talents, as well as build a base for skill validation and challenges. Add the word “contest” to this cocktail and you’ll get a competitive spirit maximizing the impact of student projects! Here’s a detailed guide for organizing project contests for young innovators.

What is a student project contest?

Student project competitions are events focusing on the development and presentation of fresh solutions that can relate to any discipline from arts to engineering. By supporting a good cause and working on the acceleration of their talents, students can reach new academic heights. Typically, the winners are rewarded with grants, scholarships, or internship programs to pursuit their career passions in the future.

The reasons for running a project contest for students

Why is the organization of project contests for students a rewarding experience? Here are several reasons that reveal the full value of such campaigns:

• Accelerate progress in a test drive mode. Student project contests provide an excellent space for testing new ideas and solutions. In contrast to businesses or organizations which can risk their reputations by presenting unreliable projects, students are free to experiment and realize their bravest intentions.
• Help students connect with the market. Through the challenges that student project contests promise, young learners get a chance to touch the target industry and gain some valuable, practical experience.
• Embed technology in the learning process. Project contests for students that are managed with the help of advanced digital systems promote the use of tech in education. Making the latest technology a part of the academic world as early as possible prepares young professionals for robust tech-driven markets.

How to organize a project contest step-by-step

To set up a contest that captures the brightest ideas and talents, you need a well thought- out strategy. Check out the proven step-by-step guide to project contest organization:

Have a worthy cause

Student project contests have to focus on the implementation of useful solutions that solve societal problems on a local, national, or global level. A worthwhile, valuable reward helps drum up attention for student competitions.

Think of a good cause that can peak the interests of the young people comprising your target audience, align the expectations with the possible outcomes, and choose the idea that resonates best with the contest budget. While promoting the competition, it’s critical to identify the practical implications of the developed projects and the value of contributions that students can make through their participation.

Communicate clever requirements

The essential goal of running student project competitions is helping students validate their skills and knowledge. Therefore, the contest requirements have to be built in a way that presupposes maximum commitment and learning. Here’s a short action list that you can use to solidify student aspirations in a contest:

1. Set up a contest management software that enables easy project submission, evaluation, and tracking. If needed, train the participants how to use it.
2. Make a project manageable by setting a distinct location, budget, and other limitations.
3. Define the deadline. Students are used to meeting deadlines, but an extra reminder should always be provided.
4. Leave some space for creativity. Although a project contest should have a distinct aim, make it possible for students to record and share their observations either on an online platform or during a post-event sharing session.

Clarify judging criteria

To make project development meaningful, participants have to see the whole picture. Brainstorm the features and qualities of ideal projects that a student contest should generate and turn them into the guidelines for judging. Set up several judging criteria that embrace operational efficiency, quality of practical applications, sustainability benefits, and other aspects. To make judging understandable for both evaluators and students, use a software system that enables an easy setup of the criteria for every judging round, automated scoring, and customization.

Pick smart prizes for winners

Incentivize smart contest participation by offering meaningful prizes to the winners. Depending on the format, budget, and contest goals, there can be various prize options from iPads to multi-thousand research grants.

The main thing is impactful contests are those that turn the adventure of project development into a long-term mission. Here are two major options of life-changing prizes for your student competition:

1. Scholarships/grants/internships. Young people with great potential to make the world better should get the resources that help them achieve their goals. Sweden-Brazil Scholarship Challenge, which focuses on natural science and engineering students, is a great example of a rewarding contest experience for students who want to solidify their careers. The winners receive a tuition fee waiver for a master’s program at one of the leading Swedish universities, as well as a paid internship opportunity.
2. Learning/experience. Providing the opportunity to expand knowledge means making a great investment in the future careers of contest winners. For instance, the winner of Shell Ideas 360 is honored with the opportunity to take part in a National Geographic expedition.

How to organize a project contest for students: Tips and tricks

To ensure that all inspiring ideas find an outlet in your student project contest, leverage some tips and tricks for your strategy:

• Goal – first, project idea – second. As we’ve said, the practical side of project contests is the most important. To develop a smart competition that can impact local or global society, start by introducing goals that the students should achieve, not the ideas for implementation.
• Use robust technology. The best solutions are created with the support of the best technology. Make a flexible contest management software part of your event and teach young professionals to accelerate their success through tech.
• Ensure foolproof judging quality. When it comes to scholarship awarding or selecting the candidates for prestigious internships, mistakes are not allowed. Gather a board of professionals who can provide an objective evaluation of your contest. Also, consider using an online judging system that supports the modules of judge assignment and abstention.

Ready to tap into the world of ambition and learning? Launch a student contest project that gives rise to newly-hatched solutions and ideas.