The participants write a 1,500-word essay on one of the topics below:
- Area: Transportation of the near future
- Topic 1: What can we do to eliminate traffic jams in my city without building new roads?
- Topic 2: When there are flying cars, what rules of the road will optimize the transport flow?
- Topic 3: In the suburbs today, there is minimal use of public transportation. What can be done, with minimal investment, to make public transportation in the suburbs able to serve the populations spread out over a large area?
- Area: Robotics
- Topic 1: How can robots improve operations in your school?
- Topic 2: How can robots be used to improve assisted living facilities for the elderly?
- Topic 3: How can robots be used to completely automate building construction?
- Area: Connectivity
- Topic 1: What are benefits and dangers if everything in your house (chairs, silverware, etc.) has an internet connection?
- Topic 2: How can universal connectivity improve agriculture, especially in developing countries?
- Topic 3: What would happen if all connectivity suddenly disappeared? How can humanity adapt?
May I write on my own topic? No, please select from the essay topics listed above. Cite the chosen topic at the beginning of your essay.
Who can participate? The contest is open to female high school seniors attending schools in the United States and planning to attend an accredited post-secondary educational institution within the next 12 months.
May I use AI to create my essay? The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the research and/or writing of your essay is acceptable. The AI system used shall be cited and specific sections of the article that used AI-generated content shall be identified and accompanied by a brief explanation regarding the level to which the AI system was used to generate the content.
How will the submissions be judged? HTHH will recruit a committee of reviewers with expierence in innovative projects. The reviewers will score the submissions. A typical jury assigns several reviewers (most frequently three) to each submission and averages the scores. The top-scoring submissions are reviewed again in the second round to select the winners.
What is the judging criteria?
- Originality and innovation of the idea
- Potential impact of the idea
- Quality and Clarity of Writing
How will the winners be recognized? Finalists’ submissions will be reviewed by a second round of jurors for winner selection. Four winners will be selected. Three categories of prizes will be awarded: 1st (two winners), 2nd, and 3rd place prizes. Interviews with the winners and finalists will be published. The sponsors of the essay competition may define additional prizes.
How will the scholarships be paid? The winner's scholarships will be paid directly to the accredited institutions the student will attend.
What is the timeline for the competition? Please see below for key dates.
- January 31, 2025 - Submission deadline
- March 15, 2025 - Judging closes
- March 31, 2025 - Winners Announced