2008-2009 Student Video Competition

IEEE-USA Online Video Scholarship Competition for Engineering Undergraduates: 'How Engineers Make a World of Difference'

Help Put a 'New Face' on Engineering in 90 Seconds

Consider the basic premise advanced by a National Academy of Engineering panel: "Engineers make a world of difference. From new farming equipment and safer drinking water to electric cars and faster microchips, engineers use their knowledge to improve people's lives in meaningful ways." Choose an aspect of engineering that you consider to be socially constructive, appealing and "fun." Translate this into a 90-second video clip — aimed at an 11-to-13 year-old student audience on: "How Engineers Make a World of Difference." The clip should convey why you think engineering is creative, rewarding and important work.

Compete for $5,000 in Scholarships — Four IEEE-USA scholarship awards will be presented to undergraduate students competing as individuals or in teams of two or more — $2,000 awarded for first prize; $1,500 for second prize; $1,000 for third prize; and $500 for one honorable mention. Additionally, the winning videos will be used: on IEEE Web sites, including IEEE-USA and IEEE.tv; in IEEE public outreach and precollege activities; and in National Engineers Week and MATHCOUNTS activities.

How to Enter: Two Steps to Compete & Win — (1) Include a 30-second self-introduction at the beginning of your 90-second video in which you state your name, your college or university, and the degree you are pursuing or receiving, as well as the name of the IEEE Student Member on your team. In addition, note that you are giving IEEE-USA the right to use your video on IEEE-USA's own and related engineering Web sites, and that you are using non-copyrightable materials. (2) Upload your video to "YouTube" at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDegEJM-0Z4.

Judging Criteria — The winning video will be judged on content (40%); creativity and originality (30%); and delivery, i.e., how effectively you communicate your message to the target 11-13-year-old audience (30%). Consider how you can inform and inspire a new generation of engineers to make a world of difference. The competition will be judged by two engineering graduate students, Andrew Quecan and Suzette Presas, and Nate Ball, engineer-host for PBS' Design Squad.

Competition Deadline — Entries must be submitted by midnight Eastern Time on Friday, 16 January 2009. The winners will be announced and winning entries will be shown during National Engineers Week, 15-21 February 2009.

Fine Print — Entries can be provided by individuals or teams, though only one award can be presented per team entry. The competition is open to all U.S. undergraduate students in engineering, engineering technology, computer engineering and computer science. However, each entry must include at least one undergraduate participant who is an IEEE Student Member, and students related to IEEE employees are ineligible. More than one video entry is permissable.

Web Help Resources — Even if you haven't uploaded a video to YouTube, you should consider entering the competition. Test your video with brothers and/or sisters who are part of the target age group. Take a look at this year's previous award winners on YouTube.

For help with recording, editing and uploading on YouTube, go to www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/topic.py?topic=10521. For tips on how to make a video on YouTube, see www.youtube.com//t/howto_makevideo.

Bottom Line — Help IEEE-USA put a new face on engineering, debunk engineering stereotypes, and inspire a new generation of socially conscious engineers who will make a world of difference!

IEEE-USA, which seeks to advance the careers and public-policy interests of U.S. IEEE members, has been actively involved in promoting public awareness of engineers and engineering since 1981. IEEE-USA is part of the IEEE, the world's largest technical professional society.

Updated:  31 July 2008
Contact: Pender M. McCarter, p.mccarter@ieee.org