National Geothermal Student Competition

Proposal requirements

In order to participate in the National Geothermal Student Competition, student teams must submit research proposals. A panel of judges will review the proposal, and up to 10 teams will be selected to participate in the student competition. Only high-quality proposals will be selected this year. Proposals must describe:

Team composition and roles

• Participation of a professor or industry professional is desirable, in order to serve as a technical advisor.
• Students should do the actual research and writing, and students must deliver the presentations at the competition. Interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged.

Technical approach

• Types of exploration tools to be used, and a plan for using them.
• “Extra credit” given for innovation (i.e., the work contributes new ideas/tools/solutions to the field of geothermal exploration technologies).
• Integration with university coursework is strongly encouraged.

Plans for site visits

• Timing, locations, objectives.
• Note that teams are responsible for obtaining permission from private landowners or the government to visit the site.

Budget

• How much funding is required and how it will be used.
• At least two students should present at the GRC meeting.
• Travel to the site may be included but is not required.
• Modest expenditures on equipment or lab testing are allowable. It is expected that the host university will retain any equipment or supplies after the competition ends.

In scoring the competition, teams will be ranked based on the quality of their work plans, final research reports and presentations. The top three teams will receive public recognition and possibly prize money (to be donated by industry).

All U.S. colleges, universities and other post-secondary educational institutions expressing interest in taking part in the competition are welcome to participate in the NGSC through a competitive bidding process.