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| 01.US 2006 Software Design Challenge: |
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“There is no class, at any university, that allows you to create an application from the ground up; inception to completion. We participated in intense competition with some of the brightest students throughout the United States and the world. Since competing, our accomplishments have been featured in several print and television promotions and on microsoft.com. It was a once in a lifetime experience."
James Barrett
John McKeon
John Sells
Team ECESIS - Virginia Commonwealth University
2005 US Imagine Cup Software Design Champions
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So what's it all about?
The Software Design Challenge is the most high profile Imagine Cup competition. This year, teams of young technologists are challenged to create the an innovative, impactful, and elegant piece of software to help people live healthier lives.
If you already know the score and are good to go, get started!
This challenge starts with a US-qualifying round to find the best team to represent the US at the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals in Delhi from August 6, 2006 through August 12, 2006 .
Teaming up: This is also the one Challenge where you need to be in a team of two to four. Each team qualifying for the second round will be paired with a Microsoft Academic Mentor.
Turning skills into solutions: Using Microsoft tools and technology, this is the Challenge where you and your team apply your genius to create software applications on the Microsoft .NET framework and Windows platform ... with the prospect of having your idea translated into a solution that's seen and appreciated worldwide.
Are you up to it? Are you ready to fuse your creativity with your technology know-how to solve some of the toughest problems on the planet? Then go get started! |
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The US Software Design Challenge is split into three stages: |
Executive Summary:
January 9, 2006 - February 10, 2006
Competing against entries from all over the country, you have one month to submit a one page Executive Summary using the Microsoft Word template provided describing the solution you intend to build.
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Design Specification:
February 24, 2006 - March 24, 2006
Fifty US teams will be told they have qualified for the second round of the US Competition. Teams who qualify for this round will be assigned a Microsoft employee who will function as the team's Academic Mentor for the remainder of the competition. After consulting with your Academic Mentor, your team will submit a detailed Design Specification for the solution you intend to build.
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US Finals:
May 4, 2006 - May 6, 2006
Held at Microsoft's World Headquarters in Redmond, Washington, fifteen teams will exhibit and demonstrate their initial solutions to an audience of press, academics, and Microsoft employees. The winning team from this round will go on to represent the US at the Worldwide Finals in Delhi!
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Each submitted application must:
- Use a web service created by the team
- Be designed on .NET Framework 2.0
- Make use of the Visual Studio family (Express, Standard or Team System) for development
- Demonstrate innovation using the Microsoft .NET platform
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Remember!
- Teams need to be of 2 to 4 individuals aged 18 or older currently enrolled in an academic institution. Each team qualifying for the second round of the US competition will be paired with a Microsoft Academic Mentor
- Each application must address this year's theme: "Imagine a world where technology enables us to live healthier lives"
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Stage three participants will be flown to and from Redmond, WA. Hotel accommodations during the trip will be provided by Microsoft.
In addition three teams will win: |
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First Place
$8,000 and a trip to Delhi
The ultimate US winner of the Software Design Challenge will travel to Delhi to represent the US in the world finals. During the trip there will also be time to explore and have fun in this great Indian city.
Second Place
$4,000
Third Place
$2,000 |
| Inclusive Delhi package for the US's winning team: | |
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On qualifying to participate in the World Final of the Imagine Cup 2006 in Delhi, India from August 6 to August 12 , 2006, each team member, will receive return scheduled flights (including taxes) from a US airport to Delhi, India, return transfers from their home to the airport in the US and from the airport to their accommodation in Delhi, hotel accommodation for 6 nights on a room only basis and breakfast, lunch and dinner at the venue. |
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Terms and Conditions
The US Software Design Challenge is subject to the Official Rules. Please note that by participating in the US Software Design Challenge you acknowledge acceptance of these terms and conditions. All invitationals including the Worldwide Finals are subject to Microsoft Corporation's terms and conditions. |
| December 15, 2006 |
Registration Opens
Register your team as soon as possible. |
| January 9, 2006 |
Submission period opens.
Your executive summary created using Microsoft Word template must be submitted by email to USic@microsoft.com |
| February 10, 2006 |
Executive summaries due
Judging begins as soon as registration is complete. Make sure you've registered and mailed your executive summary to USic@microsoft.com by February 10, 2006, or you'll have to wait until 2007 to compete! |
| February 24, 2006 |
Round 1 winners announced.
The top 50 US teams will be invited to compete in the second round of the US Software Design Challenge. Teams selected to compete in the qualifying round will expand upon their executive summary and supply a detailed design specification. An Academic Mentor will be assigned by Microsoft to each team after the 50 qualifying teams are announced. |
| March 24, 2006 |
US final round qualifying submissions due.
Design Specifications top fifty teams will be required to produce a proposal detailing their project. A panel will review all submissions.
The top fifteen teams selected by the judges will qualify for the final round in Redmond!
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| April 15, 2006 |
US Finalist Announced.
The top fifteen entries will qualify for the US final round in Redmond, WA May 4-6, 2006.
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| May 4, 2006 - May 6, 2006 |
US Software Design Challenge Final Round.
Each of the fifteen teams qualifying for the US final round will prepare a 20 minute presentation as well as materials for a science fair-style poster session. Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three entries. The first place entry will represent the US in the worldwide Imagine Cup finals in Delhi, India.
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| August 6, 2006 - August 12, 2006 |
Worldwide Final in Delhi, India.
The overall event will be an action packed agenda of activities, presentations and competitions with students from all around the world meeting for the first time and competing to take home their respective titles in each of the competitions. |
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So you want to get ahead with Imagine Cup 2006? Because THIS is where it all starts. We've broken the process into eight simple steps, but ALL it takes is the first step to get you on your way...
#1: GET GOING:
Register your team for the Software Design Challenge - you can register until February 10, 2006. Create your executive summary and submit it using the required submission template to USic@microsoft.com by midnight February 10, 2006. THIS is all you need do to secure your team a place in the most high profile category of Imagine Cup 2006.
#2: GET THE LOWDOWN:
Check out the Competition Guide (Word document) for the download on everything you need to know. The Competition Guide includes:
- FAQs on the competition
- Project Overview outline
- Sample ideas
- Presentation guides
#3: GET THE LATEST TIPS:
Add the MSDN Student Flash feed feed to your favorite RSS aggregator. If you don't have an RSS reader yet, download and install RSS Bandit.
#4: GET THE TOOLS:
If your school doesn't have an MSDN Academic Alliance, subscription then you'll need to download a copy of Visual Studio Express Edition to get the tools you need.
#5: GET SMART:
Take time to read and understand the official rules for the US Software Design Challenge. After all, your taking part in the US Software Design Challenge is subject to these Terms and Conditions ... and as an active participant, you're deemed to have accepted them.
#6: GET CLEAR:
View the Microsoft Corporation Contest Guidelines and Legal Notice. And while you're at it, make sure you've read the official rules. These items are so important, we mentioned them twice!
#7: GET THINKING:
Start thinking about an inspiring application that could be used to improve health around the world... and that uses technology in an innovative way to make a real difference of the lives of people everywhere.
And while you're at it...
#8: GET TALKING:
Why keep it to yourself? Tell your friends about Imagine Cup. Especially if you need members for your team.
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