The SCAG “Student Showcase” poster and StoryMapping competition challenges students to think innovatively and meaningfully to tell a story, provide insight, showcase plans and projects, engage supporters and stakeholders, illustrate the possibilities of data and highlight the usefulness of open data at the regional level. SCAG is proud to invite student participants to create and submit posters and ArcGIS StoryMaps. Winners receive cash prizes.
Students whose projects are chosen will be invited to attend SCAG’s Regional Conference & General Assembly in Palm Desert as SCAG Conference Fellows and receive complimentary event registration, hotel accommodation and admission to the conference on May 2-3, 2024. The conference will include an opportunity for the student fellows to present their posters and StoryMaps to elected officials and industry leaders from across Southern California.
A panel of judges will select one poster and one StoryMap for the “Best in Show” award. Conference attendees will vote on their favorite poster and StoryMap for the “Audience Award.” All four awards, each worth $1,500, will be announced at the closing of the conference.
In all, a total of $6,000 across four prizes will be awarded (two separate $1,500 “Best in Show” prizes and two separate $1,500 “Audience Award” prizes).
COMPETITION DATES
The following due dates are applicable for both the Poster Competition and the StoryMap Competition.
- Application Opens: Jan. 15, 2024
- Abstracts Due: Feb. 20, 2024, at 10 a.m.
- Final Projects Due: March. 26, 2024, at 10 a.m.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Sustainability – Promotes sustainable practices such as emission reductions, land use and transportation integration, natural resource conservation, active transportation, energy efficiency, and housing.
Innovation – Introduces a new concept and/or challenges or improves upon current planning processes.
Transferability – Includes strategies and concepts that can be applied to different locations or programs.
Feasibility – Has realistic potential to be implemented.
Presentation – Demonstrates excellence in writing, visual content and overall organization.
SCAG will request abstracts for student-led projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to sustainability-related planning issues on a local or regional scale. Eligible submittals include any applied projects or research. Students can submit a topic area for both the poster and StoryMap competition, however they may only submit one final project in the competition of their preference.
For guidelines and additional information, please visit the SCAG website.