Challenge to Innovate (C2i)

About the Challenge

Together, in a powerful new partnership, the NEA Foundation and the US Department of Education are inviting all public school educators to identify and solve education’s most pressing classroom problems. The best will receive awards and may be selected for further development.

The NEA Foundation recognizes educators as adopters, adapters, and creators of both educational processes and products, and as agents who must organize, manage, and assume risks in solving problems. Educators engage in―and lead―this creative process in their classrooms, schools, and communities.

Accept our challenge. Post your problem. Help us solve and share it and become eligible for additional funding and support.

Here's how it works:

Challenge # 1: Post your most pressing classroom problem.

• From September 7 through October 19, 2010
• Post your most pressing problem that is:
  • Classroom-based;
  • relevant to other public school educators; and to teaching and learning in the 21st Century.
• Review, vote for, and comment on ideas posted.
• The five highest ranked will be awarded $1,000 for their school and posted as the next challenge. Only public school educators are eligible.

Challenge #2: Propose your solution. 

• From November 16, 2010 through January 14, 2011.
• Once we have identified the most pressing classroom problems, we will call on our peers to post their solutions. Solutions must be implementable by public school educators over a three to four month period for no more than $500.
• Individuals can review, vote for and comment on solutions posted.
• At the end of the review period, up to 5 solutions will receive a $2,500 cash award.

For more details on this challenge and its sponsors, please visit: http://innovation.ed.gov/challenges/challengetoinnovate/show/.