IBM and IEEE have partnered to launch the Smarter Planet Challenge, seeking “creative team-based student projects that can help students at any level learn about applying engineering, science, and other disciplines to solve real world problems.” The competition — which will dole out prizes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to the top five entries — allows students to submit either completed projects or ideas in any one of five areas of interest (following the link):

• analytics that reveal insights from the vast amounts of data created;

• resilience, which refers to the ability to adapt and respond to business disruptions and to maintain continuous operations;

• security of systems that protect people, assets, data, and technology;

• social business ideas, which define the ways people interact, form relationships, and make decisions; or

• sustainability of the planet’s water, energy, and other resources.

• relevance of the project to an actual real world problem;

• clarity and significance of the engineering, computing, and other principles and concepts featured in the project;

• degree to which the project allows for alternate methods of solution;

• degree to which the project can be replicated at other institutions.

Submissions are due by Nov. 1st, and awards will be announced Dec. 15th.

For complete details, check out the competition website — or this Institute story announcing the launch. And please pass this opportunity on to your students and colleagues.

(Contributed by Erwin Gianchandani, CCC Director)