As students learn more about the context and local landscape surrounding this challenge, they should use the following themes to guide their solutions.

1.) Behavior-Based Solutions

Changing people's behaviors is a complex feat that requires a human-centered approach. Behaviors can be driven by people's values, beliefs, biases, and various other factors that move people to act. To add to this complexity, good solutions will not just consider one person’s behaviors but should look for behavior trends. Pinpointing the primary driver of a group of peoples’ behaviors might require you to think like a behavioral scientist (psychologist or anthropologist). As you consider different Behavior-Based Solutions, make things easier on yourself by targeting a specific user.

2.) Technology-Based Solutions

Technology can be an easy way to automate or augment our behavior, choices, or actions. Technology can be programmed or receive signals to automatically respond as needed. While technology can create easier changes and lead to greater efficiency, people still need to install these technologies in their homes or businesses. As you consider different Technology-Based Solutions, think about the innovation adoption lifecycle—how are you going to get people to use your solution? Furthermore, how will your technology-based solution interface with the user?

Once enrolled in the challenge, your task is to utilize the phases of the challenge to gain INSPIRATION, IDEATE a potential solution, and articulate how you would IMPLEMENT your solution within Sonoma Clean Power’s framework.

During the final phase of the challenge, the Test Phase, teachers will nominate the top solutions for the Duck Curve Challenge Exhibition event. Sonoma Clean Power will visit your school to view each solution.

The winning solution will earn a student/group prize of $1,000!

Participants/teams should adequately explain how their idea provides a solution to the challenge while also making sure they address the core criteria below. The criteria below will be used to evaluate the final solution presentations and award a winner.

Practicality (Fundamental Criteria):

··· Is the proposed solution practical and viable?

··· Is the proposed idea capable of working successfully? Is it feasible?

Creativity Criteria:

··· How well does the project show originality, creativity, and/or innovation?

··· How well does the business model address the potential impact of the big problem?

··· The applicant clearly identified the funding amount requested and how the funding would be used including a performance statement (P & L statement or income statement)

··· The applicant has a clear goal and/or concept

Sustainability & Equity Criteria:

··· Assess the Communities’ Needs

··· Establish Community-Led Decision-Making

··· Develop Metrics and a Plan for Tracking

··· Ensure Funding and Program Leveraging

··· Improve Outcomes

Overall Quality Criteria:

··· Rate the overall (content) quality of the pitch

··· Rate the overall (delivery) quality of the pitch.

A more detailed Evaluation Criteria Document will be provided at the start of the challenge.

Every Ready.Go Challenge is broken into SIX sequential phases. If you are a teacher trying to get your students to participate in a challenge, please start by enrolling your class(es) during the Roll Call Phase. By enrolling your class(es), we can offer you and your students support throughout the challenge and get you the information you need to help your students design, refine, and submit solutions that can win prizes.

If you are a participating student, begin the Roll Call Phase by learning as much about the challenge as possible. Get organized and Get Ready!

Stay connected with the challenge by following us on Instagram and Twitter. We will be launching each phase synchronously, which means students from around the county will be engaging in the challenge at the same time. Connect and collaborate with us, our sponsors, and other students by getting your comms up and running.

Finally, to become eligible for the awards and incentives connected to the Duck Curve Challenge you must submit THREE final products:

1. Solution Preliminary Design (2-Pager) | Ideate Phase

2. Solution Implementation Plan | Prototype Phase

3. Media Artifact | Prototype Phases

More information on each of the final products will be given in January when the challenge begins.

In May, you will "test" your solution during an onsite (at your school) exhibition. Sonoma Clean Power representatives will visit you for scoring. All exhibitions will be scheduled during the month of May. A specific date will be scheduled individually. Please contact Lauren Liotta (lliotta@scoe.org) to schedule your exhibition!

Judges will evaluate and provide feedback on the final presentations and award a winning team. Ready.Go.