The competition for high school students will have the same rules and program as university students` one. The competition is supported by the Government; it lasts about a year and includes several stages. First of all participants should submit an application and present their ideas. Then the special committee selects the best initiatives the authors of which participate in a two-month course which explores study methods and ways of organizing and providing social projects. Then they apply this knowledge for their own projects and prepare for the final presentation. The winners are given an opportunity to take part in “Social Accelerator,” where they can get in contact with business experts and specialists in social relations. This event takes place at ITMO University`s Social Design and Entrepreneurship Center.
“We have been supporting this competition for three years. It would be better to enroll experienced students who previously dealt with social projects. That is why we decided to launch a competition for high school students who also can learn about university-based social projects and contact with students,” noted Andrey Zlenko, head of Social Design and Entrepreneurship Center.
The first competition for secondary school students is less extensive than the contest for university students. It was organized for all students who study at St. Petersburg schools. Launched in mid-February the contest attracted 17 applications. The participants will present their works in April 16-24, at “Spring Kindness Week.” It is planned to choose the best projects in early May 2016.
“Most projects focus on educational goals but there are also many different ideas. For example, one of the teams will develop a mobile application for organizing a quest excursion around the center of St. Petersburg. Another team will analyze websites with content that is not appropriate for children. Then they will talk to children from their school about information security through interactive games…Among the participants there are those who want to become ITMO University students,” said Mr. Zlenko.
Apart from IT-oriented projects students also developed offline events such as educational lectures and volunteer activities. For example, one team plans to attract partners so as to decorate children's playgrounds and yards. The other one wants to publish a book for blind people and also talk to children about how to interact with people suffering from vision disabilities.
“What if these initiatives will be turned into full-fledged social projects? One of the most important estimation criteria is that works should be implemented out of the schools, at least in a housing estate. All projects should have a future,” underlined Svetlana Ushakova, manager of Social Design and Entrepreneurship Center.
Furthermore the judges will take into account feedback of dwellers who have received assistance or benefits. The winners will be invited to participate in IX International Forum "From Science to Business," which will take place in St. Petersburg on May 11-13. Those participants who are going to enter ITMO University will get an extra ten points for their exam result.
