Forge Issues IDEA Challenge To Students In Jonesboro

Forge, the innovation and entrepreneurial nonprofit in Jonesboro, is bringing its IDEA Challenge to Nettleton High school on October 3rd.

Fifty students from the 11th and 12th grades in Northeast Arkansas will converge in a challenge to create “innovative solutions for life on a fictional lunar colony.”

The challenge is being billed as “Part startup challenge, part space camp.”

A press release by Forge reads:

“Imagine that for the last 5 years the first moon base was developed by gamers on Earth remotely controlling robots to collect resources, design, and build a subsurface human habitat. Now the top 50 players have been selected to live in their celestial home and resolve social and economic challenges. The IDEA challenge will empower students by exposing them to the necessary skills to start their own entrepreneurial venture.”

Using the lean canvas model, students will develop a business idea in teams of five from different schools. In addition to the project, students will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions. The topics covered will included “web development and design, marketing and branding, video production, microcontroller programming, 3D modeling and printing.”

Partnering with Forge for this event is the EAST Initiative and Startup Junkie. The three organizations are working to increase the level of entrepreneurship and innovation among students in Arkansas.