Contest Overview
The Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Arlington ISD and is proud to announce the What’s Your Big Idea? Entrepreneurship Contest. The What’s Your Big idea? Entrepreneurship Contest has challenged and empowered tens of thousands of students to think big and dream even bigger. This curriculum-based contest encourages 3rd through 6th grade students to submit art and essays depicting their idea for a new business or product.
How to Enter
Unleash your ideas! Imagine, create and invent a new product and make your mark on the world. Entries about your BIG IDEA can be in the form of original artwork or an original essay. The Essay/Art Contest is open to 3rd - 6th grade students who attend the Arlington ISD.
You can enter the contest two ways: Submit your entry digitally using the "Submit Your Entry" button below. Or, you can submit a physical essay or art piece with the official Entry Form as page 1 (see last page in the complete contest guide) along with a typed or neatly handwritten essay (typed preferred) or advertisement design on a separate sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper.
ENTRIES DUE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2025
Big Idea Topic by Grade Level
3rd Grade
- Essay: What’s your creative idea for a product you could sell or a business you could create and operate in Arlington?
- Art: Create an advertisement for a product you could sell of a business you could own and operate in Arlington.
4th Grade
- Essay: What’s your creative idea for a product you could sell or a business you could create and operate in Texas?
- Art: Create an advertisement for a product you could sell or a business you could own and operate in Texas?
5th Grade
- Essay: What’s your creative idea for a product you could sell or a business you could create and operate in the USA?
- Art: Create an advertisement for a product you could sell or a business you could own and operate in the USA
6th Grade
- Essay: What’s your creative idea for a product you could sell or a business you could create and operate anywhere in the World?
- Art: Create an advertisement for a product you could sell or a business you could own and operate anywhere in the World.
Getting Started
Write About Your Big Idea
- What do you sell? Describe your big idea to us. Is it a specific product people can buy? Or, is it a service that you offer to them?
- Who are your customers? Tell us about who you think would purchase your product or service - Adults or kids? Boys or girls? Someone with a specific need? Is it for families or for one person?
- Why is your idea so special? Tell us how your product is different from others that already exist. What companies would you consider your competition?
- How do you plan to tell people about your product or service? Explain how you want to communicate with your potential customers. Commercials on TV or YouTube? Advertising in newspapers or magazines? An event for people to experience your product or service
- How will you manage your business? Describe how you would run your business. Will you have an online store? Or a shop that people can visit in person?
Create an Advertisement
- What do you sell? Your advertisement needs to showcase your big idea. Is it a specific product people can buy? Or, is it a service that you offer?
- Who are your customers? Your advertisement should match the personality of the people you think would purchase your product or service - Adults or kids? Boys or girls? Someone with a specific need?
- Why is your idea so special? Illustrate why your product is unique from others that already exist.
Make sure you include the basics of print advertising! This could be a magazine ad or a commerical.
- Headline: A brief saying that gets the readers’ attention.
- Copy: The words in the ad that expand on the headline.
- Illustration: A photograph or drawing that gets the readers’ attention.
- Logo: Design a distinctive symbol for a business such as Nike’s swoosh or McDonald’s golden arches.
Contest Rules
All entries should be submitted no later than Friday, January 17, 2025, either by delivering or interoffice mailing them to the AISD Administration Building ATTN: CTE (690 E. Lamar Blvd. Arlington, TX 76011) or electronically.
Each entry must reflect the theme for the appropriate grade level. Students may enter in one or both categories, but must provide a separate entry form for each entry.
All essay entries must be less than 300 words, typed (preferred) or handwritten neatly on 8.5 x 11 paper.
All art entries must be original drawings and/or computer graphics. Art may not be 3D and must be on 8.5 x 11 paper—no legal-sized paper or poster boards allowed. Larger entries will be disqualified. (for organizational and judging purposes)
Each entry must have the entry form stapled as page one of the student’s submission including the student name, school, grade, student ID#, category (essay or art), teacher who is providing contest direction and parent/guardian’s name, signature and phone number. No identifying information should be included in the body of the essay or be visible on the artwork as these items may be used during the ceremony presentation.
Essays will be judged by the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s Partners in Education Advisory Council on the basis of grade-appropriate focus and coherence, organization, development of ideas, voice and conventions (grammar, spelling and punctuation). Art will be judged on basic principles of art and advertisement effectiveness.
For more information, contact the CTE Department at cte@aisd.net.
Recognition & Awards
On Saturday, April 26, 2025 students who demonstrate the best entrepreneurial spirit through their Big Idea will be recognized as finalists at the Entrepreneurship Contest Awards Ceremony at the University of Texas at Arlington.
At the award ceremony, Top Winners for first, second, and third places for each grade and category will be revealed, then called back on stage to receive a prize package.
First-place winners receive a scholarship to attend the exclusive one-week “The BIG Idea Lab” Summer Camp where students will learn what it really means to be an entrepreneur.
NEW this year, we invite our second and third place winners to join in the fun with a paid option to attend camp.
Tentative Camp Dates: June 2 - June 6
Last Year's Ceremony
Entrepreneurship Vocabulary
- Entrepreneur: A person who organizes and operates one or more businesses. Ex. Nearly 70% of American entrepreneurs start their businesses from home.
- Free Enterprise System: Operating a business with little interference from the government. Ex. The U.S.A. has a free enterprise system, a privilege not enjoyed in every country.
- Innovation: A new method, idea or product. Ex. New innovations in car technology are designed to save energy.