Below are key components of the SESL Challenge:

Key Component #1:

Modified Business Plan Presentation—All SESL teams present their ideas for solving a community challenge in a modified business plan format (see SESL's HS Curriculum Guide) via a PowerPoint to panels of statewide judges at the SESL Regional HS Finals in April and, for those teams that move on, at the SESL Statewide Finals in May.

Key Component #2:

SESL Challenge ideas will be judged according to the SESL Judging Rubric which teams will receive at the program kickoff.

Social entrepreneurial business plans are evaluated on the following criteria: Need assessment; Target Market; Creativity; Feasibility; Operations; Financials; Planning and Management; Marketing; Sustainability; Social Impact; and Presentation.

Teams should address the following questions: Does the project address a significant social challenge? Is the project feasible? Does the project work to achieve clearly defined goals? What is the target market? Who is the competition? What kind of team is needed to manage the venture? What is the marketing strategy? How will the project be implemented? How will start-up costs/funding be secured? Is the project sustainable? Is there a broader market for this project?

Key Component #3:

The SESL Brainstorming Worksheet and Judging Rubric can be downloaded from the SESL website. On the day of the SESL HS Challenge Kickoff, SESL HS teams will receive the SESL High School Challenge Guide.

Key Component #4 (optional):

Elevator Videos on YouTube—

SESL teams are encouraged to create and upload a 3-5 minute Elevator Video to the SESL Challenge's YouTube page prior to the SESL Statewide Final in May

Teams may choose to enter their Elevator Video into a juried contest at the SESL State Finals at which the Best SESL Elevator Video will be selected by a panel of judges. The winning Elevator Video will be showcased at the SESL Awards Luncheon and at the EOY Dinner.

Elevator Videos may also be used, in whole or in part, by teams in their PowerPoint presentations before the judging panels at the Regional and/or Statewide Finals.

Typically, teams work on creating their Elevator Videos in the four weeks between the SESL Regional Semi-Finals in April and the SESL Statewide Finals in May.

Note: All SESL teams are encouraged to create and upload Elevator Videos, even teams not moving on to the SESL Statewide Finals. This is an opportunity to continue to raise awareness and showcase the many excellent and compelling ideas teams have, from across the state, about improving community!

Key Component #5 (optional):

Team Project Logos and/or Taglines—

Teams may choose to enter a project logo and/or tagline into a juried contest at the SESL State Finals at which the Best SESL Logo/Tagline will be selected by a panel of judges. The winning logo/tagline will be recognized at the SESL Awards Luncheon.

Opportunity for SESL Teams: In partnership with LogoLoc, a Manchester, NH marketing company, SESL teams may choose to upload a team logo and/or motto to LogoLoc's SESL Website page and have T-shirts or other marketing materials printed for their team, for an additional per item cost which includes shipping. Teams choosing to market their merchandise to a wider audience may receive a percentage of the sales income with the intention that it be used towards project implementation or further education.