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3. Girl Powered STEM Spotlight Challenge, presented by Google - Middle School

Girl Powered is an initiative to redefine the face of STEM and make robotics look more like the diverse world we live in. Google and the REC Foundation are committed to highlighting how exciting it is to be involved with STEM, showcasing examples of how women are changing the world, providing tools for success, and creating environments where all students' confidence and abilities can flourish. Entries for this challenge will help show the robotics community at large just what it means to be a Girl Powered robotics team!

The challenge aims to celebrate and draw inspiration from the achievements of both historic and current female figures in STEM. By researching and showcasing these role models, interviewing a female STEM professional, and creating a video presentation, teams will gain insight, draw inspiration, develop skills, and foster empowerment.

Visit this link for a printable summary of this challenge.

 

Prizes

One (1) Winner: $500 VEX Robotics gift certificate; if the winning entry is from a team that has competed in their program with a physical robot during their competition season, they will also receive an automatic qualification to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship.

Four (4) Finalists: $100 VEX Robotics gift certificate

Finalists and winners will be selected at each of the following grade levels, for a total of four (4) prize packages:

• Elementary School

• Middle School

• High School

• University

Eligibility

Teams must be part of a registered VEX Robotics team for the current season.

This page is for Middle School entries only - if you are any other program or grade level, please refer to the Online Challenge listings to find the correct page for your program and grade level.

• Only one entry per team is permitted. However, each team in a multi-team school or club program may submit one entry. For example, teams 123A and 123B could each submit an entry, but team 123A could not submit two entries. Entries must vary in content and presentation to be considered separate entries. 

• Entries submitted in previous years’ Online Challenges are not eligible for submission this year.

Google Contests Clause (7.4)

7.4 Contests. To the extent that the Project includes a contest, including competitions,
prize draws, instant-win offers, and premium promotions (“Contest”), this Section 7.4 will apply. In relation to any Contest, Organization will be the promoter and will be responsible for:

• A. Administering the Contest in accordance with (i) applicable law, including Applicable Data Protection Legislation and e-Privacy laws; and (ii) advertising regulatory requirements;
• B. Preparing all marketing and promotional materials for the Contest in any media and on any platform;
• C. Preparing all terms and conditions and other legal copy related to the Contest;
• D. Obtaining a complete release of Google from all liability, including a disclosure to participants that Google does not sponsor or administer the Contest and explicit language excluding Google employees, agencies, vendors, and partners and their families from eligibility;
• E. Collecting Contest entries, selecting and notifying the potential Contest winners in accordance with the Contest terms and conditions, verifying eligibility of potential Contest winners, issuing liability releases to potential winners and their parents/legal guardians (such releases must include a complete release of Google from all liability) prior to public announcement of Contest winner(s);
• F. Preparing and sending IRS Form 1099s (or local equivalent) to Contest winners and their parents/legal guardians (if applicable); and
• G. Preparing hashtags and disclosures for Google to use for promotion of the contest on social media.

By uploading a submission to an REC Foundation Online Challenge, you agree to follow the Submission Guidelines and certify that you understand the Intellectual Property Rights held by you and the REC Foundation regarding your submission. Please review the Submission Guidelines and Intellectual Property Rights information at this link before uploading your submission.

Requirements

Video Submission:

• Create a video up to 3 minutes in length that highlights the achievements of one historic female in STEM and one current female in STEM.
• Include a summary of your research, your team’s reflections on how these women have inspired you, and how you plan to be the future of Girl Powered.

Project Components:

• Research: Investigate the accomplishments of a historic female in STEM and explain her contributions to the field.
• Interview: Conduct an interview with a female STEM mentor, educator, or professional from your everyday life. Have her share her experiences, insights, and advice for young women pursuing STEM.
• Creative Video: Combine your research and interview into a creative video presentation that showcases how these women in STEM have influenced your team and its future goals.

A video submission must meet these minimum requirements in order to be judged.

1. Entry is created and produced solely by student team members. It is acceptable for adults to help with the technical aspects of creating and submitting a video to YouTube, and adults are encouraged to assist in completing any task that would be difficult or inappropriate for students in their age group.

2. Format: One link to a video file posted on YouTube, SchoolTube, Youku, or equivalent video-streaming platform. Links to Google Drive, Dropbox, or other storage locations are not acceptable and will not be reviewed.

3. Size: Up to three (3) minutes, including title, credits, and any other content.

4. Credits:  Each video must include:

   • Title of submission

   • Names of students who participated (using first names only is acceptable)

   • Team number 

   • Location of team

5. Music must be in the public domain.

Intellectual Property Rights

Your submissions help the REC Foundation further our mission. You will retain all rights to any material you submit, including ownership if applicable. The REC Foundation will endeavor to credit all submissions with the appropriate team number when used in part or in whole.

By submitting entry for an REC Foundation Online Challenge, you grant the REC Foundation and its related entities such as existing and/or potential sponsors and partners a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive right in perpetuity to use any part of the submission for any purpose, including but not limited to:

• Display of all or part of the submission on REC Foundation websites.

• Allowing third parties, including but not limited to REC Foundation partners, sponsors, and individuals, to share all or part of the submission on social media.

• Use of all or part of the submission on the Internet and in social media in support of the REC Foundation mission.

• Use of all or part of the submission in the REC Foundation’s and related entities’ internal and external communications and marketing materials including but not limited to web sites and web publications, fact sheets, fundraising publications, advertising, multimedia, displays, presentation and membership services, annual report, and newsletters.

Providing all or part of the submission to other individuals and organizations for REC Foundation- and related entities’-related use in news stories, social media, newsletters, reports, slide shows, displays, web pages, videos, and the like.

Upload Instructions

Note: All online challenge entries must be uploaded by the primary contact for a registered team. This individual should ensure that the submission meets all requirements and criteria before uploading.

1. Click the green Submit an Entry button on the right side of the screen.

2. Fill out the submission form and add an optional description of the entry to the Short Description field.

3. Ensure you are entering the correct team number and letter, with no spaces.

4. Click Save.

5. Click the blue Links / Videos button in the upper right of the screen.

6. Enter the URL, title, and description of the video.

7. Click on Add Link.

Judging Information

Enhanced Judging Information (up to 5 points for each criterion):

Research & Interview Quality (up to 5 points): Comprehensive research with multiple credible sources, delivering insightful interviews that enhance understanding.

Historical & Current Role Models (up to 5 points): Effectively showcases the impact of both figures, drawing clear connections between them and STEM advancements.

Creativity in Video Presentation (up to 5 points): Highly engaging and original presentation that captivates the viewer.

Visual and Audio Quality (up to 5 points): Polished and professional production with no distractions.

Adherence to Theme (up to 5 points): Clearly aligned with the Girl Powered initiative, staying on theme throughout.

Current time:
Fri, Dec 6, 2024 7:49 AM CST

Opens:

Wed, Nov 6, 2024 12:00 AM CST

Closes:

Wed, Jan 29, 2025 4:00 PM CST

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