Community college students have the opportunity to present their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) projects and ideas through a national innovation competition.
The contest, called the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC), is an initiative of the National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). It started in 2015 and was held until 2018. It wasn’t held in 2019 but has been relaunched this year.
“The CCIC is made possible through a strong and ongoing partnership between the National Science Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges to advance the nation’s community colleges and community college students in STEM innovation and impact,” said Ellen Hause, program director for academic and student affairs at AACC.
Under the program, teams of two to four students collaborate with a college faculty member or administrator to compete for a cash prize through a two-phase entrepreneurship contest in the Washington D.C. area. This year, AACC predicts that around 50 to 60 teams will enter the competition.
“This program is a tremendous opportunity for community college student teams to advance STEM solutions to real-world problems, learn strategic communication and entrepreneurial skills from industry professionals and have the opportunity to be highlighted in a national forum,” said Hause.
In past years, teams have developed solutions to reduce environmental and noise pollution, found automated ways to grow plants and crops and focused on areas such as mobile technology, urban greenhouses and thermal energy.
In the first phase of the competition, teams apply online by writing a 500-word essay on their project idea, answering questions and submitting a 90-second video. For this year’s competition, enrollment is currently open and applications must be submitted by March 31.
