The iOMe (As in “I OWE ME”) Challenge asks college students from across the country to think about what their own future–and hence the future of American democracy–40 years from now. The contest is in its second year, and college students are asked to consider this question with a particular focus on personal savings. The winning team will receive $10,000 and a trip to Washington to present their vision to members of congress. Each honorable mention will receive $2,000.
If you would be interested in forming a group to represent Carleton in the iOMe challenge, contact Adrienne Falcon (afalcon) at Academic Civic Engagement in the coming weeks. Following is a description of this year’s entry requirements. For more information, visit the iOMe website or contact ACE.
The 2010 iOMe Challenge consists of two components; an essay and a video that illustrates the key elements of the essay. We would encourage students to form teams with individuals some of whom have policy expertise and some others with video production skills. Team members can come from different educational institutions.
Each team of students must have a faculty advisor.
iOMe 2010 QUESTION
Essay Contest: Write an essay of no more than 10,000 words that demonstrates and supports three significant differences that will exist in our economy forty years from today if the U.S. personal saving rate is sustained at 6% versus the rate that has prevailed for the past decade.
Video Contest: Produce a short video (60 seconds or less in length) that compellingly illustrates the difference between what daily life in America looks like to an individual in forty years if Americans do not begin to save enough versus if they do. Videos will be judged based on the degree to which they compellingly illustrate the difference in our futures forty years hence, and on
production quality. The video should be crafted as a visual representation of the key elements of the Essay. You might think about the essay as the screenplay and the video as the movie.