U-reka! Big Idea Contest
Do you have a plan for making revolutionizing the arts scene at Clark or making it a greener campus? Do you simply feel there's a key service missing for students on campus that you have the best solution for?
The Innovation & Entrepreneurship program sponsors the annual U-reka! Big Idea Contest to encourage students to help make improvements to the Clark campus community. This contest is open to all undergraduate students.
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 up to $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.
U-reka! Ready to Apply?
Past Winners
2012- Clark Co-op
In third place was Library Lockers, and idea introduced by Ngoc (Minnie) Bui '13 and Nathalia Vega Dalton '12. They recognized the need to for a rentable storage space for students in the Academic Commons and Library and will use their allotted $1,000 for the purchase of the lockers. In second place was Sustainable Containables, an recycling initiative proposed by Sharon Bort '14 and Heather Mackenzie '12. Their aim is to use their awarded $1,5000 to set up recycling bins around campus to increase Clark's recycling rate. Harrison Bass '13, Baran Cansever '12, Hannah Galgiani '12, Rachel Minsky '12, Laura Overton '12, and Annie Rosenthal '12 won first place with their idea to start an organic food cooperative in the Grind. They won a total of $2,500 to implement their idea, which will most likely be used for getting the Grind set-up for their business. View their contest entry slideshow.
2011- Green Roof
Harrison Bass '13 and Noah Greenstein '13 took first place with their idea to transform the underutilized roof space of the Goddard Library into a living, green space for students to use as a rooftop oasis to study, practice yoga, and reflect on the beauty of the surrounding environment. The space can also be used for courses such as Urban Ecology, Energy and the Environment and Sustainable University for hands-on research experience. The pair was awarded $3,000 to jumpstart their project. View their contest entry slideshow.
Press: "Clark students receive funding to turn one rooftop on campus 'green'" Clark University News
2011 - Bike Patrol
Daniel Snyder '11 won third place for his University Bike Patrol idea. With the $1,000 in prize money, the University Police Department (UP) was able to fully outfit one officer with a patrol bike and uniform. In a further demonstration of support, the police department purchased a second bike and patrol uniform for a second officer. “Enhancing safety and environmental issues simultaneously is a win-win for both students and the University,” said Chief Stephen Goulet of the University Police Department. The University Bike Patrol launched on May 20, 2011. View his contest entry slideshow.
Press: "Clark adopts student's 'Big Idea,' institutes University Bike Patrol" Clark University News
2010 - Clark University Thrift Store
Alexa Lightner '11 and Rachel Gerber '11 proposed the The Clark Community Thrift Store, a retail outlet and resource for the Clark community and Main South. U-reka! awarded them $3,000 to create a store that will provide inexpensive college essentials, house wares, and gently used clothing to those without easy access to off-campus transportation, for students who cannot afford to purchase items new, and for anyone looking to discard used items easily, sustainably, and in a socially conscious way. All store profits will be donated to the Clark University Sustainability Initiative. View their contest entry slideshow.
Press: "Students' Thrift Store plan wins annual Big Idea innovation contest" Clark University News
I&E's Video Interview
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. View their contest entry slideshow.
Press: "College Town" Worcester Telegram & Gazette
"Holroyd '09 organizes successful road race" Clark University News
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.
Press:"Erin Burns-Maine '04 wins 'The Big Idea' Contest at Clark University" Watkinson School News