So, what is the Big Idea contest?

Clark University's Annual Big Idea Contest

Jan/Feb 2009

Do you have a plan for making Clark a greener campus? Or an idea to revolutionize the arts scene here at Clark? Or do you simply feel there's a key service missing for students on campus that you have the best solution for?

Then U-Reka! is the contest for you!

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship program is sponsoring the annual U-Reka: Clark University's Big Idea contest to encourage students to help make improvements to the Clark campus community. This contest is open to all undergraduate students who see a problem on campus they want to fix or an idea for something that would make the Clark community even better.

Here’s how it works: Students must fill out and submit this 3 question application. We want to know what your idea is, how you can make it happen and turn it into reality, and why you think this is such a good idea (what will it add to the Clark community). All applications will be reviewed and four finalists will be selected. All finalists will then present their idea to an audience of student peers who will vote on the final winner.

We don’t want to just reward a good idea. We want to see your idea happen, so the winner will receive $5,000 to help turn their idea into reality. We’ll provide you with both financial support and guidance throughout the process to help you bring your idea to life. Do you have lots of ideas? Students can submit more than one idea/application. However, only one idea per student can move on to the final round.

Past Winners

2009 - The Green Run

Clark University seniors Maria Arabatzis, Sarah Holroyd and Bonnie Unger won this year’s U-Reka Contest for their idea of organizing a “Green Run” fundraiser in Main South. The $5,000 prize will help them bring their idea to reality at noon today on the Clark campus and surrounding Main South neighborhood.

The team’s winning idea — a 5K road race and walk is a “green-themed” walk and run and the celebration afterward is designed to raise awareness of environmental issues in the community and to encourage sustainable behavior.

“Recycling, minimizing our carbon footprint, lowering energy usage, and reducing consumption, waste production, and pollution are some of the efforts that could help improve Worcester’s environmental sustainability. These values are going to be promoted and taught through the Green Run and the following celebration,” the entry statement read.

Press:

http://www.telegram.com/article/20090405/NEWS/904050395/1101/raw_headlines

http://www.clarku.edu/offices/publicaffairs/news/press/articles/holroyd2009.cfm

2008 - You Are Here

The winners of the 2008 Big Idea Contest were Deena Zakim, Erin Burns-Maine and Caitlin Hanson for their You Are Here idea. By re-structuring and in the long run, institutionalizing, incentive structures that push students to utilize local businesses and get involved in the community, You Are Here hopes to change the way students navigate the difference between being a student at Clark and a resident of Main South. Whether Clark students view themselves as Main South residents or not they have a lot of weight in the local economy.