WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
Jacks Big IDEA (interdisciplinary design experience accelerator) engages students from all majors to solve high-impact, global challenges in a intensive, 48-hour challenge format. This event is part of Invent for the Planet, a design challenge hosted by Texas A&M, involving over 40 universities from across the globe. There will be a 3 winning teams at NAU that will receive funding (via a HURA Grant Award) to continue their research and projects (First: $1,500, Second: $1,000, Third: $500) and the first place team is entered into the global competition. If selected as a global competition finalist you and your team will receive a fully-funded trip to present at the finals at Texas A&M, College Station, TX.
WHEN’S THIS BIG IDEA?
- Friday, 2/14 at 4-10 PM: Check in 3-4 PM and a kickoff mixer at 4 PM followed by team forming, dinner at the hotspot (all meals provided), and initial ideation sessions. We break late in the evening Friday.
- Saturday 2/15 at 8 AM onward: Breakfast and then you and your team will work on your selected challenge. We’ll have the library booked all day and night Saturday so you and your team can work nonstop, if you want, into Sunday.
- Sunday 2/16 at 8 AM-4 PM: We start up with breakfast at 8 AM (or you’ve continued all night and fuel up) and we work until 1 p.m. when your team will present your solution and around 3/3:30 PM awards will be given to the winning teams.
- Check out the daily schedule HERE for full details. And HERE is a printable version.
WHO’S THE BIG IDEA FOR?
You. Yes, you and all NAU students–undergraduates and graduates–and all majors and areas of study are invited to apply.
WHY?
We live in a dynamic world, defined by unprecedented opportunities and challenges. You and your classmates, whatever your course of study, have the potential to change the world. Jacks BIG IDEA is an opportunity for you to develop a more curious, problem-solving mindset and skillset while solving real-world issues.
HOW DOES THE BIG IDEA WORK?
You and a small team of fellow NAU students will select and work on one of a broad range of design challenge options–think, build a more efficient airplane wing, design an app interface to reduce food waste, improve water transportation, etc. Your team will have the option to connect with other teams across the globe as we all work on these prompts. Don’t worry if you’ve never done something like this; mentors from the campus and community will be there to coach and guide you and your team through the event. Workshops during the event will help you hone your idea, practice your presentation, and more.
AND WHERE WILL THE BIG BE?
The Friday kickoff will be at the boundaryless@NAU commons, located between the Hot Spot and the restaurants in the University Union. The Saturday and Sunday design/work portion of the weekend will be in the Cline Library’s Learning Studio and Maker Space. The 48 hour period, Saturday through Sunday, is non-stop, sleep optional and will be in the Cline Library–the building will close down but you will have 24 hour access during the event. All meals (Friday evening through Sunday lunch), snacks, coffee, and energy drinks will be provided.
I’M SOLD. HOW CAN I BE PART OF SOMETHING BIG?
Walk-in applications are being accepted 3-4 PM, 2/14/2020. If you missed this year we’ll do it again Spring 2021.