Wisconsin
Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, a statewide youth business plan contest modeled
after the successful Governor’s Business Plan Contest, is open for online
entries from Wisconsin middle- and high-school students through 5 p.m. April 6, 2015.
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. Entries that advance to Phase 2 of the competition will expand their
idea into a 1,000-word executive summary. Throughout the process, students get feedback from professionals across Wisconsin
who will serve as judges.
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.
“Leveraging
technology, thinking creatively and working as a team are all important
characteristics for today’s entrepreneurs,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “This contest
combines three themes in K-12 education: Financial literacy, entrepreneurism
and study of science, technology, engineering and math, the so-called STEM disciplines.”
The Tech
Council produces the contest, with major support from IBM and WEA Trust. Additional
support is provided by the Wisconsin
Technical College System. 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
get started, students need to create a simple account at www.WisconsinYES.com. All entries are
submitted through the website. Students use their account to gain access to the
judges’ comments and feedback. 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 2-3. Past
winners have hailed from Weston, Brookfield and New Glarus.
The Wisconsin
Technology Council is the independent, non-profit and non-partisan science and
technology adviser to the Governor and the Legislature. It serves as a catalyst
for tech-based economic development in Wisconsin through programs such as the
Wisconsin Angel Network, the Governor’s Business Plan Contest and the Wisconsin
Innovation Network.
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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