Frequently Asked Questions
K12 Innovation Challenge
How many proposals can students submit?
One proposal can be submitted per student or team.
How do students who are 13 years old or under enter?
Parents or guardians of students under age 13 must register on behalf of their student.
Can my student enter by themself, or do they have to have a team?
Students can enter individually or team up with one or two students and join together.
If my student is a part of a team, do they each need to register, or does one individual register on behalf of the team?
Please ensure each team member registers and lists the other team member’s names and that each member’s registration includes the same pitch.
When is my proposal due?
To enter the competition, you must initially register and submit a 6–7 sentence pitch of your proposal idea by January 16, 2024. Upon registering, we recommend working on your full-length proposal and submitting it as soon as possible. All proposals must be received no later than 11:59 PM (ET) on January 31, 2024.
What file format is accepted for the proposal?
Proposals can be submitted in Word or PPT format. Google Docs or Slides are also acceptable. Proposal templates can be accessed here.
I have a question about the Innovation Challenge. Who should I reach out to?
The best way to contact our competition team is to email [email protected].
In-Focus Photography Competition
Why is my entry or submission not showing up in the gallery?
All entries are prescreened prior to showing in the gallery. We ensure all entries meet the guidelines for the competition before approving. The approval process can take up to five business days, so if you do not see your submission right away do not be alarmed.
Will I know if my entry was approved or not?
You will receive an email from [email protected] notifying you when your entry has been approved. Should you have any additional questions, you can reach out to the competitions team at [email protected].
How many entries can I submit?
You can submit one entry per category―DSLR Lens Master, Smartphone Shots, Film Photography― for up to three total entries. All entries must be received during the Competition Entry Period. ordion Content
How do I submit a photo if I am 13 years old or under?
Parents or guardians of students under the age of 13 must submit entries on behalf of their student.
Are there any size requirement or file format requirements to submit my entry?
Yes, your photo can be in .jpg, .jpeg, or .png format and should not exceed 50MB in size. Photo must be taken by you as the entrant, and can be in color or black and white, and should be uploaded in compliance with the competition requirements.
Do I retain the copyright to my submitted photos?
By submitting your photo in the competition, you consent to assign and transfer all rights, title, and interest in and to the photo, including, without limitation, all copyrights to K12 (Sponsor). The Sponsor may publish and/or promote photo, or a portion of a photo. If a photo, or a portion of photo is selected for publication and/or promotional purposes, it does not imply that it is a winning photo in this competition.
When will we hear who the photography competition winners are?
Winners will be announced in early January 2024 after the conclusion of our judging period. Winners will be notified by email, or telephone, and/or U.S. mail within 5 business days of the Winner Reveal and may be required to fill out some requirement paperwork within seven days of the date specified on notification, along with some sort of video testimonial about your competition experience, or an alternate winner may be determined.
How are the photography winners determined?
At the conclusion of the competition, a panel of judges will determine a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner in each grade band (Kindergarten–2nd, 3rd–5th, 6th–8th, 9th–12th) in each category; DSLR Lens Master, Smartphone Shots, and Film Photography. Public voting will determine one People’s Choice winner across all categories in each grade band (Kindergarten–2nd, 3rd–5th, 6th–8th, 9th–12th).
I have a question about a competition, who should I reach out to?
The best way to contact our competitions team is to email [email protected].
When will public voting OPEN for the Photography Competition and how do I vote?
Voting for the People’s Choice Award for the 2023 In Focus Photography Competition will open on November 1, 2023 after we have received all entries. Entries will go through an initial round of judging to ensure the photo has not been plagerized and meets the eligibility criteria. Once voting is open, to vote for a photo you will click ‘Photo Contest’ < 2023 Photo Contest Submissions and Gallery < hover over the photo you would like to vote for and select the vote for this photo option. Only one vote per person is permitted.
K12 Robotics League
Why is it saying I am ineligible to register myself/my student for the K12 Robotics League?
This may be due to the age you are entering if your student is under 13 years of age. Please ensure that if your student is under the age of 13, you as the parent are filling out the registration form for your student and that you are inputting your age as the parent or guardian.
Am I able to register for the K12 Robotics League if I do not have a team?
Yes! If you are registering as an individual, we will pair you with a “RoboBuddy”.
Can I use the Robotics Software on a MAC computer?
No, the Cogmation robotics software is only compatible with Windows PC at this time.
When will the instructor training be available?
We are finalizing dates for instructor training, and will have more details posted on our robotics landing page at the end of October. We will also be sure to email out all details regarding instructor training to participants and instructors once the schedule is finalized.
I have a question about the Robotics League, who should I reach out to?
The best way to contact our robotics team is to email [email protected].