Help Arlington ISD students bring their BIG ideas to life!
We’re looking for business and community volunteers to help judge student entrepreneurship entries and support the annual awards ceremony. Whether you have a few hours, a full day, or prefer to volunteer virtually, there’s an opportunity to get involved.

3rd–8th Grade Contest Judging
Students are invited to explore entrepreneurship through an individual submission that responds to a prompt designed for their grade level. Students can choose from two grade-level prompts or the new E-SPACE prompt, giving them an opportunity to explore an idea, solve a problem, or imagine what the future of entrepreneurship could look like.

Students may submit their ideas as either a written essay or an art advertisement, allowing them to showcase their creativity and entrepreneurial thinking in different ways. Entries are submitted in English and Spanish.

As a volunteer judge, you’ll review student submissions and evaluate their ideas using the contest’s judging criteria. Judging opportunities are available in person or virtually, with options ranging from a half-day to a full day of in-person judging, as well as virtual judging throughout the designated judging period. Lunch will be provided.

Your perspective helps recognize students’ creativity, critical thinking, and entrepreneurial potential and gives them an opportunity to have their ideas heard.

• In-Person Judging - Friday, November 13
  • Half Day - 9am-1pm
  • Full Day - 9am-5pm (or until we finish) 
• Virtual Judging - Friday, November 13 - Sunday, November 15
• Top Winner Judging - Tuesday, November 18 - 9am-5pm 

Judges will be asked to sign an NDA to protect students’ intellectual property. Entries are submitted in both English and Spanish.

High School Contest Judging
High school teams are challenged to think about what makes a community successful, sustainable, and ready for the future. Students explore challenges across economic development, business, and technology, then choose an issue within one of these areas to investigate.

Teams research the problem, develop a solution in the form of a business or invention, and bring their idea to life through a 2–3 minute video pitch. As a volunteer judge, you’ll review these student pitches and provide feedback based on the contest’s judging criteria.

• Judging: Watch the pitch videos and score each team using the provided rubric, during the designated week

Judges will be asked to sign an NDA to protect teams’ intellectual property. Entreis are submitted in English only.

Awards Ceremony Volunteers
Help us celebrate the students, families, educators, and community members who make the contest possible! The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20 from 4:30-6:30pm, volunteers will be asked to arrive at 3pm. Ceremony volunteers will be assigned to support one or more of the following areas, below are examples of duties per area:

• Registration: Welcome attendees, distribute student packets and programs, and answer questions
• Exhibit Greeter: Welcome exhibitors, direct them to their tables, and assist with setup as needed
• Hall Greeter: Help students and families navigate the venue and encourage them to visit exhibits
• Photbooth: Keep the station moving, encourage use of the event hashtag, and assist with photos
• Top Winner Awards: Help coordinate students backstage and distribute top-winner gift bags

Come judge. Come celebrate. Come be part of helping the next generation think BIG!