Frequently Asked Questions
Tell me more about the prizes?
The Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College), a special mission affiliate of Penn State, is an innovative national leader in applied technologies offering over 100 programs, and will award the winner(s) of the Dream—Learn—Pitch high school competition, a $10,000 grand prize scholarship. This scholarship will be disbursed at $2,500 per year for up to four (4) years, per individual. The scholarship is exclusive for use by degree seeking students at Penn College and is non-transferrable to any other institution, including Penn State. For more information about the scholarship, please contact the School of Business, Arts & Sciences at [email protected].
All other prizes will be provided in the form of Amazon E-Gift Cards. These e-gift cards will be emailed directly to the winners and we will confirm all information after the competition to make sure we properly send them to you.
When does the program begin?
The program is available year-round for learning with a designated period for video pitch judging (outlined on our "Pitch" page). You may upload your pitch at any point throughout the course - other competitors will not be able to see your submission. Sign-up from the top-menu to register for your account!
Must all students on the team present?
Not all students must present, but this is a great learning opportunity for all students.
What schools and students can participate?
This program is for all public, private and home school students.
Who may participate?
The contest is only for any student in 5th to 12th grade.
Must students work on a team?
While teams of up to four students (maximum) are suggested, you do not need to work on a team. This is an exceptional opportunity to showcase individual talent and ideas too.
Can I be on more than one team?
You can support and help other teams, but for submissions and potential prizes, you can only be on one team per year.
How long should the pitch be?
No presentations over five minutes will be accepted.
Is there judging criteria or a rubric?
Real life experiences don’t come with a rubric, but we have general guidelines for judging criteria that can be shared upon request. In general, the judges will be looking for viable ideas (will someone buy that product) that are feasible - is it possible for the student(s) to bring that product to market and will it potentially make money. It’s the students’ job to convince the judges that these things are possible.
May I submit a plan for a not-for-profit?
Nonprofit pitches are welcome.
May I submit more than one plan?
Students may participate every year from 5th grade to 12th grade, but only one pitch per year.
May I submit the same business idea more than one year?
As long as you continue to improve your idea, create a new pitch, and haven’t won one of the prizes in a division previously, you may continue to submit your business idea annually. The improvement of an existing idea could lead you to a more viable and feasible future business.
May I submit the written portion of my business plan?
Not as a contest submission, but we do include an option for submission that can be used as a written requirement in your own curriculum, and a certificate will be awarded accordingly. Your written business plan and elevator speech will provide you the base to write and create a fantastic pitch. So that work will be very valuable.
The Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College), a special mission affiliate of Penn State, is an innovative national leader in applied technologies offering over 100 programs, and will award the winner(s) of the Dream—Learn—Pitch high school competition, a $10,000 grand prize scholarship. This scholarship will be disbursed at $2,500 per year for up to four (4) years, per individual. The scholarship is exclusive for use by degree seeking students at Penn College and is non-transferrable to any other institution, including Penn State. For more information about the scholarship, please contact the School of Business, Arts & Sciences at [email protected].
All other prizes will be provided in the form of Amazon E-Gift Cards. These e-gift cards will be emailed directly to the winners and we will confirm all information after the competition to make sure we properly send them to you.
When does the program begin?
The program is available year-round for learning with a designated period for video pitch judging (outlined on our "Pitch" page). You may upload your pitch at any point throughout the course - other competitors will not be able to see your submission. Sign-up from the top-menu to register for your account!
Must all students on the team present?
Not all students must present, but this is a great learning opportunity for all students.
What schools and students can participate?
This program is for all public, private and home school students.
Who may participate?
The contest is only for any student in 5th to 12th grade.
Must students work on a team?
While teams of up to four students (maximum) are suggested, you do not need to work on a team. This is an exceptional opportunity to showcase individual talent and ideas too.
Can I be on more than one team?
You can support and help other teams, but for submissions and potential prizes, you can only be on one team per year.
How long should the pitch be?
No presentations over five minutes will be accepted.
Is there judging criteria or a rubric?
Real life experiences don’t come with a rubric, but we have general guidelines for judging criteria that can be shared upon request. In general, the judges will be looking for viable ideas (will someone buy that product) that are feasible - is it possible for the student(s) to bring that product to market and will it potentially make money. It’s the students’ job to convince the judges that these things are possible.
May I submit a plan for a not-for-profit?
Nonprofit pitches are welcome.
May I submit more than one plan?
Students may participate every year from 5th grade to 12th grade, but only one pitch per year.
May I submit the same business idea more than one year?
As long as you continue to improve your idea, create a new pitch, and haven’t won one of the prizes in a division previously, you may continue to submit your business idea annually. The improvement of an existing idea could lead you to a more viable and feasible future business.
May I submit the written portion of my business plan?
Not as a contest submission, but we do include an option for submission that can be used as a written requirement in your own curriculum, and a certificate will be awarded accordingly. Your written business plan and elevator speech will provide you the base to write and create a fantastic pitch. So that work will be very valuable.
