Blueprint 2022 will be held virtually on Saturday February 5th to Sunday February 6th to ensure the safety of our participants and our surrounding community.
FAQS
Speakers, mentors, participants, volunteers, sponsors- how do all of these people fit into Blueprint?
Blueprint brings together people from many different perspectives with many different contributions, so it can get a little confusing! Here’s a breakdown of the main roles at the conference and how you can get involved with each one:
Participants are passionate graduate and undergraduate students who will learn from distinguished speakers and mentors to develop blueprints.
Mentors are professionals from any industry eager to share their experience and expertise with participants; they will advise and collaborate with participants through the ideation process.
Speakers are leading experts in fields relating to the specific conference theme and tracks. After giving their keynote speeches on Friday night, they will join the mentors to guide participants.
Sponsors are forward-thinking organizations invested in a sustainable future who support and partner with Blueprint in developing win-win solutions. For more information on corporate participation, email us at dukeconservationtech@gmail.com!
Volunteers are students, community members, and professionals from the Duke community interested in helping facilitate the ideation process and logistics of the conference.
I don’t know anything about environmental science or conservation…
Good… You haven’t been corrupted by the knowledge of the status quo. New, unheard-of ideas from novel, interdisciplinary interactions are what we are looking for.
What is a blueprint?
A blueprint is anything you want it to be (app mock-up, CAD model, report, video, poster) – as long as you can effectively explain to the judges how it could be developed into a radically new solution to one of the tracks. Check out the past blueprints competitors designed in our previous conferences!
What if I don't have a team?
Absolutely no worries! Team formation will take place Saturday morning – all participants sign up as individuals, though you will have the chance to mutually select 1-2 teammates to work with on your Blueprint idea.
Anything I should remember to bring?
Your brain. Your radical ideas. And perhaps a laptop and writing implement. (Also chargers to keep you plugging away throughout the day!)
I don't go to Duke, can I still attend?
YES, and invite your friends too! We want to spread the conservation and sustainability bug far and wide.
What happens after Blueprint?
This year at Blueprint 2022, we will be introducing a new professional development and founders workshop. We hope to equip all participants with the skills and confidence to implement and realize their solution into the world!
Duke students can also further develop their blueprints with Duke Conservation Tech, the parent organization hosting Blueprint.
We are also looking to support students at other universities set up similar programs to facilitate the development of their own projects! Reach out to us at dukeconservationtech@gmail.com if you would like any guidance or have specific questions.
How can we prepare for Blueprint?
Our philosophy is that we make our best ideas in collaborative environments with people of diverse backgrounds. Although background research is allowed, we encourage everyone to come with fresh minds.
Competitors, however, cannot prepare or design a blueprint prior to the conference. All design work should and is best done at the conference.