Requirements and Deliverables
Middle and high school-aged students will complete a project that involves the study, development, or use of an AI method or tool to address community challenges, while educators will focus on creative approaches to teaching or using AI technologies in K-12 learning.
Program Requirements | Scoring Rubrics | Prize and Incentives | Terms and Conditions for Participating in the Challenge
Projects that are not in compliance with the requirements below will not be judged.
Project Requirements:
a) Each submission must be a single PDF document no larger than 50 MB and no more than 10 pages in length, using 12-point (or larger) font size.
b) Each submission must include a 500-word minimum narrative that clearly explains the project. Some considerations to keep in mind when preparing the narrative include:
I. Track I
- What specific community issue are you addressing, and why does it matter?
- Who is affected by this challenge, and how?
- What kind of AI technology or methods are you proposing?
- How exactly will AI tools or methods help solve or address the challenge?
- What research did you do to support your ideas?
- Did you explain any difficulties or obstacles in developing your proposal?
- What makes your approach or solution unique or special?
- Did you clearly explain how AI tools or methods are used and ensure that your plan is realistic and effective?
- What did you learn from working on this project?
- Is there anything else you would like to share about your project?
- Is your narrative reflective, organized, and over 500 words?
II. Track II
- What community problem are you solving, and who benefits?
- What AI methods, tools, or platforms did you use?
- How does the AI component work in your solution?
- What challenges did you face when working on your projects, and how did you address them?
- In what way is your solution creative or innovative in how it applies AI?
- How did you test or verify the accuracy of any AI-generated content, outputs, or predictions (if applicable)? How accurate did you find the outputs to be?
- How did working on this project deepen the team’s understanding of AI and its appropriate use?
- What did you learn from working on this project?
- Is there anything else you would like to share about your project?
- Is your written explanation clear, over 500 words, and reflective of your journey?
- Does your media (video, slides, app walkthrough, etc.) explain the project well and engage the viewer?
- NOTE: If teams want to include videos (no longer than 4 minutes), digital posters, or websites to be viewed by the judges, include the links to the supplemental media in the submitted PDF document.
III. Track III
- What AI concept, method, or tool are you teaching or using?
- How is this approach different or better than traditional instruction?
- How did you ensure that the AI-generated content is appropriate for the grade level? How did you test or verify the accuracy of any AI-generated content, outputs, or predictions (if applicable)? How accurate did you find the outputs to be?
- What planning and preparation went into your instructional design?
- How does your lesson engage students? Can students apply or connect it to their own experiences?
- Did you include any evidence of impact or learning (pilot run, feedback, etc.)?
- How did working on this project deepen the team’s understanding of how to use AI concepts, methods, or tools in educational contexts?
- Is your video or demo clear, engaging, and easy to follow?
- Is there anything else you would like to share about your project?
- Note: If teams want to include videos (no longer than 4 minutes), digital posters, or websites to be viewed by the judges, include the links to the supplemental media in the submitted PDF document.
Each submission must include a Certification of Originality, stating the following:
- The project submission is original content created by the team specifically for the Challenge.
- All AI tools or technologies used are identified and credited.
- All research and artifacts (maps, photos, etc.) are identified and credited.
Scoring Rubrics:
Student Track I Scoring Rubric:
| Criteria |
Description |
Points |
|
Problem Definition & Community Relevance |
Students clearly identify a real community challenge and explain why it's important and demonstrate insight into the needs and context of the community. |
20 |
|
AI Application Plan |
Students thoroughly explain how AI could be applied to address the challenge and include a detailed description of the proposed AI methods/tools and how the methods/tools would function in practice. |
25 |
|
Research and Accuracy |
The proposal is backed by research into both the community challenge and AI technology. Sources are relevant and credible. |
20 |
|
Process and Development |
Students clearly outline the development process of the proposal, including planning steps, iterations, and challenges overcome. |
15 |
|
Originality and Creativity |
Students present an innovative, thoughtful, and unique approach to solving the challenge. |
10 |
|
Use and Validation of AI Concepts |
Students’ use of AI concepts is sound, well-reasoned, and clearly justified. AI methods/tools mentioned are relevant and realistic. |
10 |
| Total: | 90 points | |
Student Track II Scoring Rubric:
| Criteria |
Description |
Points |
|
Problem Identification & Impact |
Students clearly articulate a local/community problem and explain how the solution can improve outcomes. |
10 |
|
Technical Implementation |
Students demonstrate technical understanding and functionality of the AI solution and include models, tools, or platforms used. |
25 |
|
Process and Development |
Students describe the creation and testing of the solution, including iteration cycles, setbacks, and improvements. |
20 |
|
Use of AI and Validation |
Students clearly explain how AI is integrated into the solution and include testing, accuracy evaluation, or user feedback if applicable. |
15 |
|
Originality and Creativity |
The solution shows novel thinking, unique application of AI, and a creative adaptation to community context. |
10 |
|
Supporting Narrative (500+ words) |
Students explain the purpose, development journey, AI technology used, community impact, and future enhancements. |
10 |
|
Presentation/Media Quality |
Supplementary media (demo video, app walkthrough, poster, etc.) is clear, engaging, and enhances understanding of the solution. |
10 |
| Total: | 100 points | |
Elementary Track I Scoring Rubric:
| Criteria |
Description |
Points |
|
Problem Definition & Community Relevance |
The educator or group leader clearly identifies a real community challenge and explains why it's important to elementary school students and demonstrates insight into the needs and context of the community. |
20 |
|
AI Application Plan |
The educator or group leader thoroughly explains how AI could be applied to address the challenge and includes a detailed description of the proposed AI methods/tools and how the methods/tools would function in practice. |
25 |
|
Research and Accuracy |
The educator or group leader is backed by research into both the community challenge and AI technology. Sources are relevant and credible. |
20 |
|
Process and Development |
The educator or group leader clearly outlines the development process of the proposal, including planning steps, iterations, and challenges overcome. |
15 |
|
Originality and Creativity |
The educator or group leader presents an innovative, thoughtful, and unique approach to solving the challenge and shows evidence of working with their students in developing their approach. |
10 |
|
Use and Validation of AI Concepts |
The educator or group leader’s use of AI concepts is sound, well-reasoned, and clearly justified. AI methods/tools mentioned are relevant and realistic. |
10 |
| Total: | 90 points |
|
Student Track II Scoring Rubric:
| Criteria |
Description |
Points |
|
Problem Identification & Impact |
The educator or group leader clearly articulates a local/community problem of importance to elementary school students and explains how the solution can improve outcomes. |
10 |
|
Technical Implementation |
The educator or group leader demonstrates technical understanding and functionality of the AI solution and includes models, tools, or platforms used. |
25 |
|
Process and Development |
The educator or group leader describes the creation and testing of the solution, including iteration cycles, feedback from their students, setbacks, and improvements. |
20 |
|
Use of AI and Validation |
The educator or group leader clearly explains how AI is integrated into the solution and includes testing, accuracy evaluation, or user feedback if applicable. |
15 |
|
Originality and Creativity |
The solution shows novel thinking, unique application of AI, and a creative adaptation to community context. |
10 |
|
Supporting Narrative (500+ words) |
The educator or group leader explains the purpose, development journey (with and without their students), AI technology used, community impact, and future enhancements. |
10 |
|
Presentation/Media Quality |
Supplementary media (demo video, app walkthrough, poster, etc.) is clear, engaging, and enhances understanding of the solution. |
10 |
| Total: | 100 points |
|
Educator Track III: Innovative AI Teaching Approach Scoring Rubric:
| Criteria |
Description |
Points |
|
Instructional Innovation |
Educators introduce a unique or transformative approach to teaching AI concepts or using AI tools in K–12 education and demonstrate fresh thinking and potential to change classroom practice. |
20 |
|
Clarity and Accuracy of AI Content |
AI content is technically accurate, age-appropriate, and clearly explained. Educators effectively simplify complex AI ideas for the intended student audience. |
20 |
|
Process and Planning |
Educators clearly explain the development process, including instructional design, planning steps, intended outcomes, and any challenges overcome. |
15 |
|
Student Engagement and Relevance |
The approach is engaging and relevant to students' lives or learning needs and shows how students will be motivated to learn or apply AI meaningfully. |
15 |
|
Use and Validation of AI Tools |
Educators demonstrate how AI tools or techniques enhance teaching or learning in a way not easily possible without AI and include rationale or evidence (student reactions, pilot results, etc.). |
15 |
|
Presentation (Video or Digital Demo) |
Final presentation (video, screencast, interactive slide deck, etc.) is polished, engaging, and clearly communicates the instructional idea and its impact. |
15 |
| Total: | 100 points |
|
Prizes and Incentives
Prizes and incentives will be awarded throughout all phases of the Challenge, including the training opportunities in the Fall.
Terms and Conditions for Participating in the Challenge
Participation in the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge (Challenge) is voluntary and is intended to foster interest and expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) technology from an early age to maintain America’s global dominance in this technological revolution for future generations. By entering, each participant (and his or her parent or legal guardian for children under the age of 18 years) warrant that the participant meets all eligibility requirements for the (Challenge). In consideration for the participation in the Challenge and its associated activities, participants (and their parent or legal guardian for children under the age of 18 years) release, discharge, indemnify and agree to hold harmless the U.S. government, its employees, officers, directors, agents, and partners from all claims, damages, demands, obligations, or losses of any kind related to the Challenge.
All communications regarding the Challenge in the Youth categories, including announcement of winners, will be sent to the teams’ Supervising Adults. Selection as a winner is subject to the discretion of the U.S. government and does not guarantee that the individual will be able to participate in any or all of the activities for winners, nor does selection create any right or entitlement at law or equity. Winners are subject to additional security vetting processes, as well as other necessary terms and conditions related to prize acceptance. All activities and awards are subject to availability of funding and may be modified or withdrawn without notice.
The youth and educators who create the projects for the Challenge will maintain the intellectual property rights of the work for their project submissions. The U.S. Government will maintain non-exclusive right to publish to share, display, or distribute the submitted projects for promoting the Challenge, showcasing innovation, or educating the public.
Participating in the Challenge carries moral and ethical responsibilities for every youth and educator team member. Students and educators are expected to act with honor and integrity when conducting research and in interacting within their peer community.
- Scientific fraud and misconduct are prohibited at all levels of competition.
- Youth and educators must not fabricate data, plagiarize, or present someone else’s work as their own.
- Youth and educators must differentiate their own work from the work of others and cite sources.
- Youth and educators must respect confidentiality and intellectual property rights.
- Youth and educators should review Gold Standard Science Integrity policies, Sections 5(b)(i) and 5(b)(ii):
- Encourage the open exchange of ideas and
- Provide for consideration of different or dissenting viewpoints.
