MIT Competition 2024

Here we go again! MIT has announced its competition to win a place on the student trip.  The "Deets" are below :)

Who can enter?

Years 9 & 11, (school year 23 - 24) so years 10 & 12 when you travel (school year 24 - 25).

When is it?

Sunday, October 27th to Sunday, November 3rd (This will include 5 days with MIT and 1 final day sightseeing in Boston) 

What do I have to do?

Instructions from NAE:

Dear Nord Anglia Students,

It is with tremendous excitement that we can announce the competition to apply for places for our next MIT Student trip to Boston in October 2024!

If you would like the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come to the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, then this is your chance!

This year, we are asking students to submit a short video which asks you to complete the following statement:

‘If I were an innovator at MIT, I would …’

The videos should last between 90 seconds and 3 minutes (no longer than this) and no props or PowerPoint presentations are allowed. The following criteria will be used to assess the submissions:

·   Vision and creativity

·   Understanding of MIT’s Innovation culture

·   Impact and contribution to society

·   Presentation clarity and effectiveness

How do I submit the work?

Save your presentation on your Google Drive and share your work on the form below. 

How am I assessed?

A judging panel, (to be decided) will be given this Rubric, so make sure you hit all the points!

How do you do a presentation?

A presentation is a story and an object. When you design an object you need to prepare it. I strongly suggest you think of a mood board, a script and a storyboard. I am not going to clutter this page with examples of how to do this, you can google these.  Planning will help you. 

With regards to your story, think about what English teaches you. The narrative. What are you trying to say? The story needs to be planned all the way through, otherwise it becomes messy. 

Do I need to tell my parents yet?

Yes! There is no confirmed pricing as of yet, but a rough calculation has this at least $3000 and in November in Boston for a week. Please let them know before you waste time and they say you cannot go!

QUESTIONS! I got QUESTIONS!

Brilliant, email them to me on colin.astbury@bisvietnam.com

Parents got Questions!

Ask them to click on this link here, and if they still have further questions they are welcome to message me. This document needs to be filled in if you decide to participate. 

OKAY - Good to go - Where do I submit?

And finally, any clues?

In a world of AI prompts and Google, it should be easy to search for MIT Innovation culture. There will be some key words you come across time and again.

I asked Microsoft co-pilot to summarise the MIT approach and this is what it came up with.

MIT’s Innovation Culture: Key Themes

Introduction In the bustling corridors of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), innovation is not just a buzzword; it’s a way of life. MIT’s rich legacy of groundbreaking discoveries, technological advancements, and entrepreneurial spirit has shaped the world. Let’s delve into the key themes that define MIT’s innovation culture.

1. Eco/Systems Thinking

   • At MIT, innovation transcends individual brilliance. It’s about interconnectedness. The concept of “eco/systems” emphasizes the intricate web of relationships—between researchers, industries, policymakers, and society—that fuels innovation. MIT’s labs, centers, and initiatives collaborate seamlessly, fostering a dynamic ecosystem where ideas flow freely.

   • Stakeholders: MIT engages with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, corporations, and local communities. Their collective wisdom propels innovation forward.

2. Capacity Building

1. • MIT doesn’t merely teach innovation; it cultivates it. The emphasis on capacity building ensures that students, faculty, and researchers acquire the skills needed to transform ideas into impact.

   • Education: MIT’s interdisciplinary programs empower students to think beyond disciplinary boundaries. Whether in engineering, arts, or business, they learn to navigate complexity.

   • Research Excellence: MIT’s commitment to cutting-edge research equips scholars with the tools to tackle global challenges. From quantum computing to climate change, they push boundaries.

   • Entrepreneurship: MIT’s vibrant startup ecosystem encourages risk-taking. The Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship nurtures budding entrepreneurs, fostering a culture of “making things happen.”

3. From Inception to Impact

1. • MIT defines innovation as “the process of taking ideas from inception to impact.” It’s not just about invention; it’s about sustained transformation.

   • Inception: An idea sparks—a match between a problem and a solution. MIT incubates these nascent ideas, encouraging experimentation.

   • Impact: Beyond commercial profits, MIT measures impact in broader terms: environmental, social, medical, and security missions. Innovation isn’t confined to the lab; it’s about changing li

4. Innovation Spectrum

1. • MIT recognizes two types of innovation:

     1. Formal ‘Innovation’ (Capital “I”): This involves taking novel scientific and technological research from inception to impact. It’s the frontier of transformation.

     2. Innovation with a Little “i”: This includes adapting existing technologies and practices. It’s the everyday innovation that permeates sectors.

   • Problem/Solution Matrix: MIT places these activities on a spectrum, acknowledging that both are essential. The “10x” transformation meets the “10%” incremental improvements.

5. Social Innovation

1. • MIT’s commitment extends beyond technology. Social innovation—addressing societal challenges—is integral.

   • Empathy and Service: MIT IDEAS (Innovation, Development, Enterprise, Action, and Service) exemplifies this. It celebrates 20 years of engaging proximally impacted and underserved stakeholders with empathy and kindness1.

In summary, MIT’s innovation culture thrives on collaboration, capacity building, and a relentless pursuit of impact. It’s not just about the next invention; it’s about shaping a better world—one idea at a time23.

I hope that helps, good luck.

Mr. Astbury