商赛届的高配Conrad Spirit Of Innovation Challenge (又称Conrad Challenge，简称Conrad)2023-2024赛季已拉开帷幕。若是你有志于申请商科、想要参加创业商赛，若是你正在备战DC钻石商赛、仍学有余力，大概率可以在DC的商业方案基础上做一定调整，同步备战Conrad。况且，Conrad的第一轮要求远没有DC的第一轮来的复杂，看下文快速科普Conrad。
The 2023-24 Conrad Challenge is officially “go” for launch! If you intend to apply for any business majors, join any entrepreneurship contests, or elevate your business plan (especially if you are competing for Diamond Challenge), you may consider joining the Conrad Challenge, especially the first round.
Check the contest's details below.
竞赛简介Intro
Conrad Challenge （康莱德商业挑战赛）发展至今已有17个年头，主办方康莱德基金会可是大有来头，是NASA踏上月球的第三名宇航员Charles “Pete” Conrad之妻Nancy Conrad成立的基金会，旨在鼓励当代年轻人利用科学与技术知识，通过团队协作突破自我，勇于创新，解决问题。
The Conrad Challenge is an annual innovation and entrepreneurship competition forstudents ages 13-18 that equips young minds like yours to change the world. You’ll forma team of 2-5 and compete with other student teams from around the globe to createinnovations that address some of the most pressing scientific and societal challengesthrough creativity and critical thinking.The Conrad Challenge isn’t a science fair. Unlike any STEM competition out there, thisinnovation challenge is creating the next generation of entrepreneurs who are going todesign a more sustainable future for us all. It is hosted by the Conrad Foundation, which honors the legacy of Apollo 12 astronaut, Charles “Pete” Conrad, and was launched by Nancy Conrad, Pete’s wife. It is dedicated to creating collaborative, student-centered, real world-relevant learning opportunities that foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Through its programs, it aims to unleash students’ potential to create impactful solutions and a sustainable society for generations to come.
含金量Worth It
作为少有的将STEM和商科两大学科领域完美结合的竞赛，CC非常适合既想要在STEM领域发展、又不想给自己贴上“书呆子”标签的“理科生”，也非常适合想要用创新想法打动招生官的“商科”申请者，会将所学的知识活学活用，将理论运用到实际生活中，发现问题、探索问题、研究问题、解决问题。从美国教育的角度来说，这叫well-roundedness；从中国教育的角度来说，这叫素质教育。
Conrad is a unique entrepreneuship contest that combines STEM and business fields. It is ideal for high school applicants to demonstration the capability of designing an innovation while solving an important problem and establishing themsevles as entrepreneurs. In other words, this is a great opportunity to show your well-roundedness.
再看CC的赞助商，可谓群星云集——戴尔、NASA、休斯顿航天中心……这足见其认可度。进入决赛的学生们更是有机会直接到休斯顿航天中心和NASA的约翰逊航天中心进行角逐。
The Conrad Foundation partners with many corporations, organizations, government entities and individuals - Dell, NASA, Space Center Houston, etc. Contestants may even compete in the Space Center Houston.
参赛资格Eligibility
13-18岁
以2-5人为小组参赛，不限地区（需配备成年指导老师）
Create a team of 2-5 students. Invite students from other schools,cities, states or even countries to collaborate without borders. Havingthe right team members is a key ingredient for our successful teams.
• Recruit a coach. This can be a teacher, parent, subject-matter expertor other qualified mentor over the age of 18.
适合学生
Recommended toStudents
未来有志于STEM类、商科类专业的学生
想要证明自己并非读书机器、而是well-rounded的申请者
有志于锻炼逻辑思维能力、写作能力和创新能力的学生
目前正在备战DC钻石挑战赛的学生
Intend to apply for STEM and business majors
Demonstrate well-roundedness
Demonstrate critical thinking skills, writing skills and innovative skills
Currently competing for entrepreneurship contests, esp. Diamond Challenge
竞赛流程Calendar
启动轮（2023年8月1日-11月3日）
Activation Stage (Aug - Nov 3, 2023)
2-5名学生+教练组队注册
You’ll embark on your journey by assembling your crew of 2-5 students plus a coach and completing registration.
商业策划轮（2023年11月3日截止）
Lean Canvas Stage (deadline Nov 3, 2023)
商业策划书起草，书写创业想法和大纲
You’ll plan out your path by brainstorming ideas, selecting your innovation and category and preparing a Lean Canvas.
商业创新轮（2024年1月12日截止）
Innovation Stage (deadline Jan 12, 2024)
完成创业书书写，拍摄创新视频，创建网站
You’ll bring your innovation to life by writing an Innovation Brief, recording an Innovation Video and creating a website.
商业实力角逐轮（2024年4月23日-26日）
Power Pitch Stage (April 23-26, 2024)
决赛资格队伍在评委会面前宣传自己的创业理念，角逐争夺奖项、奖学金、企业支持等荣誉。
Our top teams from the Innovation Stage are named Finalists and invited to pitch their innovations to a live panel of Judges at the 2024 Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit. At the Summit, Judges, Alumni and other members of the Conrad Community come together for a multi-day event full of dynamic workshops, tours, community sessions and speakers. Finalist teams will compete to earn scholarships, entrepreneurial support and the Challenge’s top honor: the title of Pete Conrad Scholar.
更多细节 More details:https://www.conradchallenge.org/conrad-challenge#activation-stage
参赛课题范围Categories
航空航天Aerospace & Aviation
网络技术与安全Cyber-Technology & Security
能源与环境Energy & Environment
健康与营养Health & Nutrition
农田再规划与烟草产物的其他用途Re-purposed Farmlands & Alternative uses of Tobacco (and its by-products)
更多细节 More details：https://www.conradchallenge.org/challenge-categories
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