2019-2020 President's Challenge: Think. Make. Ignite.

This year, we challenge you to Think, Make and Ignite your passion through innovation.

Think. - Identify and pursue your personal passions.
Make. - Use your education and our facilities to create digital or physical prototypes.
Ignite. - Accelerate your career and create societal value with your innovations.

Have you ever had a great idea that would make the world a better place? How about an idea for a product or business? Or, maybe you just want to build something that is fun. This year's President's Challenge is a year-long opportunity for every student to explore, create and pursue innovation projects they are passionate about.

$25,000 in Prizes!

Categories

This year's categories are aligned with Clarkson Ignite's principles and embody all aspects of our University:

Co-Curricular

Students can submit projects created as part of assigned work.

Extra-Curricular

Projects may include anything made outside of a required course or research project -- e.g. parts made for SPEED teams, products made for/by a startup company, etc.

Research

Projects can be commercially viable, tangible "products" developed by students in a lab environment. In many cases, submissions will be devices, instruments, etc. that have been custom-developed to facilitate research.

Eligibility and Team Composition

Teams can be composed of undergraduate and graduate students. Teams must be comprised of at least two (2), to no more than eight (8) members. This year's challenge does not require interdisciplinary teams, but there is an additional prize incentivizing collaboration because we believe that true innovation occurs at the intersection of disciplines. 

Team Support

Knowledge and Advice
  • Innovation & Design Process: The Studio
    The Studio in BH Snell 238 is a collaborative space available to assist students in sharing and creating ideas. If you are looking for a digital platform to hold all of our team's ideas and work, email thestudio@clarkson.edu to gain access to Mural, an online whiteboard software for instant creative collaboration. Learn more about The Studio.
     
  • Podcast Recommendations:
    • Clarkson Ignite Podcast - iTunes and Spotify
    • Creative Confidence Podcast - iTunes and Soundcloud
    • The McKinsey Podcast - iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher
    • HBR Ideacast - iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher
    • 99% Invisible - iTunes, Google Play and RadioPublic
       
  • Campus Events to Watch for:
    • Alumni Success Series
    • Ignite Masterclass Series
    • Seminars and Visiting Lecturers

 

Facilities, Supplies and Equipment
  • Making Your Physical Project: The Dorf Makerspace
    The Dorf Makerspace on the first floor of the Innovation Hub holds open hours from 2 - 8 p.m. every Sunday - Thursday. This facility includes 3D printers, a sewing machine, a vinyl cutter, a hand-held CNC machine, soldering irons, and more! For a full list of the equipment and tools available, visit during open house or click here. You can also check out weekly workshops on Sunday afternoons to learn how to use equipment.
  • Digital Making: The Digital Making Suites
    The Digital Making Suite on the second floor of the Innovation Hub has open hours Tuesdays - Thursdays from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. In addition, they offer training to gain personal access to the space outside of these hours. This resource was created to offer more extensive access to audio and visual creation and editing for all students. This is a great space for any digital projects and for your required team video! For more information on training and equipment, email innovationhub@clarkson.edu.