In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stanford and Harvard students launched the Crown Education Challenge, a global contest for K-12 students backed by Professor Tina Seelig, Lisa Solomon, and other notable educators and thought leaders. In response to the countless school closures leaving 1.5 billion students out of school and cancellations of international and regional competitions, the team was inspired to start this initiative, striving to encourage students to take stake in global challenges and to sustain learning no matter the circumstances.

Entrants may submit a piece in art, STEM, and writing tracks in response to the theme “hope during a pandemic” to highlight optimism during a challenging time. An esteemed panel of judges will be evaluating submissions and selecting winners. Top submissions will be published in the Harvard Technology Review, and top awardees from each age group and track will receive a monetary prize and gain elite access to a network of renowned professors, artists, and other individuals at the forefront of their fields.

With students at home and education across the world disrupted, it is vital to recognize how technology, science, and the creative arts can come together to keep us all connected and optimistic. For that reason, the Harvard Technology Review is very much looking forward to seeing and featuring submissions from the challenge.

All K-12 students from around the world are invited to participate in the Crown Education Challenge. They should submit their works through the submission form on the website before the contest deadline on June 15, 2020 at 11:59 PM PST. For more information, visit https://www.crowneducationchallenge.org or contact info@crowneducationchallenge.org.

[Updated to reflect new contest deadline]