MADISON – The statewide Wisconsin YES! youth
business plan contest will close to entries 5 p.m. Monday, March 17.
Public,
private and home-schooled students across Wisconsin are eligible to turn their
science- and tech-related ideas into business plans and compete for cash and
prizes. The contest begins with a 250-word summary submitted through the
website – www.WisconsinYES.com. Entries
that advance to Phase 2 of the competition will expand their idea into a
1,000-word executive summary.
As
a tool for educators, Wisconsin YES! fosters interest in science and tech
education and encourages students to be independent, creative thinkers capable
of problem solving.
Gov. Scott Walker proclaimed the week leading
up to the March 17 deadline as the “Celebration of STEM Education Week”
statewide. STEM components, which include science, technology, engineering and
mathematics, are considered vital to the intellectual and economic future of
Wisconsin.
The
celebration aims to involve STEM-centered organizations, businesses and
educational institutions across the state. The number of skilled individuals
needed in STEM industries is enormous, and growing, making it more and more
crucial to promote the education of students in these disciplines.
“This
announcement recognizing the importance of STEM education reinforces the same
spirit of the innovative efforts that students who apply for Wisconsin YES!
demonstrate,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council.
To get started, students need to create a simple account at
www.WisconsinYES.com. All entries are submitted through the website. Throughout the
process, students get feedback from professionals across Wisconsin who will
serve as judges. Templates and sample entries for both phases are available on
the website, along with other entrepreneurial resources.
Students
are able to work in teams or as individuals and will be judged based upon their
grade level, with the oldest team member determining the team category.
Students or teams may enter multiple ideas.
Place
finishers in each category – 9th grade and under, 10th
grade, 11th grade and 12th grade – are eligible for cash
and prizes. The grand prize winner has the opportunity to present their winning
idea at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference in Madison on June 4.
The
Tech Council produces the contest, with major sponsorship from WEA Trust and IBM. Contest
partners thus far include Department
of Financial Institutions, Department
of Public Instruction,
Make
a Difference Wisconsin,
Project Lead the Way
Wisconsin, STEM Forward, Wisconsin
Association of School Boards and Wisconsin Society of Science
Teachers.
To
enter the contest or for more information on sponsorship and partnership
opportunities, visit www.WisconsinYES.com or contact Joy
Sawatzki at the Wisconsin Technology Council, jsawatzki@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com or
608-442-7557.
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