Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone participate in Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures?
No, participation in Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures is reserved for 1) schools or organizations that have never participated in the Biodesign Challenge and 2) schools or organizations that last participated in Biodesign Challenge more than three years ago.
Are academic clubs and extracurricular organizations invited to register for the Sprint?
Yes, but with restrictions. All students must be currently enrolled at a college or university, and the participating club must have an affiliated faculty member.
I am new to biodesign. Will BDC staff provide assistance to my classroom during the Biodesign Sprint?
Yes. Biodesign Challenge staff works closely with instructors to ensure that students receive adequate support and resources to complete the program.
What educational resources come with registration to Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures?
All participants will receive access to a resource library containing materials at the intersection of biodesign and the ocean, specialized webinars, and project crit sessions with BDC staff. Additionally, students and instructors will be free to enroll in BDC community platforms and alumni networks.
Do participating teams need to develop a prototype for the Biodesign Sprint?
No. The BDC team acknowledges biological art and design can take many forms and that, at present, many schools lack access to BSL 1 laboratories and other infrastructural resources. For that reason, the Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures program welcomes speculative designs, social critiques, and biologically-informed artworks in addition to designed objects and prototypes to advance ocean conservation and sustainable futures.
How many students are entitled to participate in Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures with each registration?
Instructors are invited to use BDC resources to help structure their classes, bringing all students into conversation with the future of applied biology and sustainable design. That said, only (1) team can represent the participating school. Teams cannot include more than (6) members.
What are the deliverables for the Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures program?
Teams representing their schools are expected to produce a ten-minute presentation about their biodesign project to be delivered to our online judging panel on the two days of the competition. Additionally, all participants are expected to produce a brief, one- to five-minute video describing their projects for our digital audience and community.
Does Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures replace the Biodesign Challenge?
No. The Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures program introduces new audiences to the Biodesign Challenge program and community. Enrollment in the Biodesign Challenge grants additional access to mentors, learning resources, and staff support. It also entitles participating schools to compete for the Glass Microbe at the Museum of Modern Art.
Will there be awards or prizes associated with the Biodesign Sprint?
Yes! The BDC team will offer select category prizes and introduce a new, evaluative achievement recognition system for all participants in the Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures program.
My school would like to participate in both the Biodesign Sprint and the Biodesign Challenge. Is it possible to receive a discount on these programs?
Yes. Schools that register for Biodesign Sprint: Ocean Futures before September 1 will see a $350 credit applied toward the Biodesign Challenge registration fee. Additionally, all Ocean Futures registrants will have guaranteed early bird pricing for the flagship Biodesign Challenge program.
Is the Sprint being held online?
Yes. All meetings, including the Kickoff Orientation, will be held online. Timing will be based around U.S. Eastern Time, but program scheduling will aim to accommodate as many time zones as possible.
I already have a project in the works that is relevant to the Sprint. Can I still participate?
Yes, as long as the project responds to the design prompts, it may be presented as a project at the Biodesign Sprint. Please review the intellectual property rules in the Participation Agreement to make sure it is eligible.
Is this an international competition? Can countries other than the U.S. participate?
Yes! Anyone from anywhere in the world can participate.
What language will the Sprint be in?
All Sprint materials should be in the English language and all Sprint events will be held in English.
Do I have to attend all of the events?
While we encourage participants to attend events live, we understand that there may be difficulty with time zones. All events will be recorded and may be watched back asynchronously. The Sprint final competition and project showcase will require at least one team member to present the project live to the online judging panel in order to qualify for prizes and recognitions.
Can I participate in the Sprint as an individual?
Yes! Teams can have 1-6 people, but must be affiliated with a school or organization.
Who will own the Intellectual Property rights to my project?
Sprint participants will own all IP rights to their projects. Biodesign Challenge Inc reserves the right to use participant videos and presentation materials for promotional and internal purposes. Please review Article 6 of the Participation Agreement for a full explanation of the rules regarding IP.
How will you accommodate people with disabilities during the Sprint?
BDC provides live closed captioning for online video. Additional services can be provided by advanced request.
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