Global Challenge Award

The [http://globalchallengeaward.org Global Challenge Award] is a science program for high school students (ages 14 to 17) from all over the world. It is an initiative of the University of Vermont in collaboration with the National Science Foundation as well as foundations and corporations, wherein students have the opportunity to form teams with international counterparts and work towards a solution to mitigate Global Warming and help envision the future of renewable energy. The program is notable as an educational environment for its use of pre-existing games, simulations and Web-based science resources in a global competition, and for its reliance on personal initiative and creativity in diverse teams. The free, open access to the project via the Web makes it possible for students, parents, homeschooling families, teachers and interested global community members to get involved to help young people with their creative ideas for innovation in new forms of energy, conservation and increased productivity.

The program was featured in Learning & Leading with Technology October 31, 2007. More recently, in the [http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080702/NEWS02/80702006 Burington Free Press] in July 2008, and has led to a number of youth-authored articles on [http://www.cogito.org Cogito.Org] for example: [http://www.cogito.org/Articles/ArticleDetail.aspx?ContentID=17460 Using Nanotechnology for Cost Effective Converters] as well as [http://www.cogito.org/Articles/ArticleDetail.aspx?ContentID=17449 Educating Myself, International Style] .

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfOldvMTKYM YouTube Introduction]

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Projects in the Global Challenge Award

There are several project areas in the Challenge. Some are designed specifically for teams, others students can work on alone. Students can mix and match projects based on their interest level and time. They can form a team to compete in one competition and, at the same time, work on individual points.

Global Business Plan. Students build an International Team, envision a global solution, create a detailed business plan, and submit it for judging.

Technical Innovation Plan. Students build an International Team, envision any kind of technical solution, explain it to a panel of judges.

STEM Explorations. Students work on their own on science, technology, engineering and mathematics units of study called "challenges."

Green Earth Corps. Student work on their own or with any team, build a home and business auditing service, earn while they learn and serve.

Quantum Videos. Students work on their own or with any team, earn fame and recognition.

UVM Design TASC. Students work with a local team and teacher, build a operating model for a competition, earn prizes and awards for your school.

Each Challenge earns certain points, and in the end, teams with the highest scores win and earn scholarships, travel awards to the Governor's Institute on Engineering in Vermont, cash prizes, and tuition scholarships.

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Since its founding in 2005, The Global Challenge has reached over 100,000 people worldwide and engaged over 4000 students from 60 countries in forming teams to solve the challenge. About $130,000 in scholarships have been provided to over 130 students from 10 countries.

The Challenge's founders envision creating a [http://www.microsoft.com/education/highered/whitepapers/simulation/SimulationPlatform.aspx World Game] space for STEM learning.

Google recently awarded a non-profit AdWords grant of $10,000 per month, which the project is using to expand its outreach to the world's youth.