Official Rules

Please read this checklist of competition rules carefully before submitting your entries through the Official Entry Form, which will be active starting Sunday, November 1, 2015, through Tuesday, March 1, 2016.

Each grade level has its own additional grade-specific instructions. Please consult the appropriate grade level's page for more information on the Challenges, entry format, and group size.

  • Only the classroom groupings specified on the Eligibility page are eligible to participate at this time.
  • Prepare an original poster, storyboard, or PowerPoint presentation (depending on the grade-specific instructions) created exclusively for The DuPont Challenge.
  • Entries must be written in English.
  • Entries can be up to 8 pages (plus a cover page), but may not exceed 8 pages. Entries longer than 8 pages will be disqualified.
  • Entries must follow the format specified for each grade level:
    • Kindergarten: Entries must be submitted as an entire classroom project. Entries must be handwritten/hand-drawn and scanned or photographed for electronic submission via the Official Entry Form, or uploaded as a PowerPoint file.
    • Grade 1: Entries must be submitted as an entire classroom project. Entries must be handwritten/hand-drawn and scanned or photographed for electronic submission via the Official Entry Form, or uploaded as a PowerPoint file.
    • Grade 2: Entries must be submitted as an entire classroom project. Entries must be handwritten/hand-drawn and scanned or photographed for electronic submission via the Official Entry Form, or uploaded as a PowerPoint file.
    • Grade 3: Entries must be submitted in groups of two to four students. (Each student can only be part of one group.) Entries must be prepared using PowerPoint for electronic submission via the Official Entry Form.
    • Grade 4: Entries must be submitted in groups of two to four students. (Each student can only be part of one group.) Entries must be prepared using PowerPoint for electronic submission via the Official Entry Form.
    • Grade 5: Entries must be submitted in groups of two to four students. (Each student can only be part of one group.) Entries must be prepared using PowerPoint for electronic submission via the Official Entry Form.
  • The Challenge option you choose must correspond with your classroom's grade level.
  • After your entry is complete, it must be submitted electronically using the online Official Entry Form. The DuPont Challenge does NOT accept entries sent via mail.
  • Do NOT put your name, school name, or any other personal information in the body of your entry. Enter your classroom or team name (depending on the grade-specific instructions) and other personal information only in the designated fields in the Official Entry Form.
  • Your entry's title must appear in the Official Entry Form box called "Title of Story."
  • Do not plagiarize. Entries are carefully reviewed by multiple judges and checked for plagiarism.
  • Teachers are allowed to help guide their students with the classroom or group Challenge, but they should not write anything in the entry, nor should they create any of the accompanying artwork.
  • Parental guidance is not accepted. The DuPont Challenge has been designed to be a student-driven project guided by the classroom teacher.
  • Proofread your entry carefully. Your entry will be judged not only on the science, but also on creativity, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
  • Fill out the Official Entry Form completely. Incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Important:
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prevents The DuPont Challenge from collecting personal information online from children under age 13.

Please see our FAQ for answers to other frequently asked questions regarding entry submission.