I’m a big supporter of the work that TED conferences do, especially for their efforts towards education. If you’ve been to my workshops, you know one of my favorite videos is the Sir Ken Robinson talk on creativity and education.
One of the 2008 TED Prize wishes was from the mind and heart of author and philanthropist Dave Eggers. As an extension of Eggers initial wish (see video below), the open challenge asks individuals to design and implement new projects for local public school students. The three winning entries will receive a pass to the sold out TED2009 Conference to be held in Long Beach, California on February 4-7, 2009.
Additionally, Eggers asks local citizens to support 826 National, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing at six locations across USA. Eggers co-founded the original 826 chapter, 826 Valencia, a nonprofit tutoring center and writing school for children, in 2002.
Entries are open to the public and may be submitted by visiting onceuponaschool.org and will be judged by a panel of educators, entrepreneurs, and creatives from the TED Community. Projects will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Innovation: Was a new model used? Is the approach creative? Were the students provided with access to something new?
- Collaboration: How well did the project leaders work with the teacher/school? Did the project address a specific challenge or need of the students?
- Impact: What changed in the life of the students, teacher, and school? Was the community affected? Did the work inspire other private citizens to get involved?
The Deadline for submissions is October 31, 2008.
Tell your story, change the world…and maybe go to TED this year (and take me with you?)
For more information, please visit: www.onceuponaschool.org
For more information on the TED Prize, please visit www.tedprize.org
For more information on Dave Eggers’ wish, please visit http://www.tedprize.org/?page_id=7
For more information about 826 National, please visit http://www.826national.org/
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