Pregame

The pregame window, the week before a Challenge Series, is a great time to get everyone set up for success and hit the ground running.

Primary Objectives

• Sign ups and invites

  • Signing up is easy for both teachers and students here. An easy way to “invite” students is to register yourself and send them an invite email with your name and email include that can copy and paste directly into the platform during registration.
  • Signup/Login Page

• Review the challenges and industries

  • All of the challenges and industries can be reviewed here on the ftw! website as well as on the platform. Pregame is a great time to have students review all of the challenges and commit to one (or two if they feel ambitious) challenges.
  • See the Challenges
  • Occupation Discovery

Pro tips

In the pregame, we’re in the Find the Facts stage of problem solving. Now is when it’s best to search and gather as much information you can about the problem to understand it better. It’s like being a detective, collecting all the evidence to crack the case.

Good Questions to consider

• Who is impacted by this problem?
• What do you think is most important to them?

First Quarter

Get the creativity flowing. This is the time for students to explore possibilities, share their thinking and brainstorm as many solutions as they can.

Primary Objectives

• Collaborate through discussion

  • Encourage students to brainstorm and discuss their ideas on the platform. The best solution is rarely the first one someone thinks of.

• Review the Challenge game plan

  • Review the schedule and roadmap so students understand how the Challenge Series works and what each upcoming quarter will bring.
  • Review the Challenges

Pro tips

This is the Brainstorm Ideas stage. Think of as many possible solutions as you can. Students can also invite an outside advisor who can bring useful experience or a fresh perspective.

Good questions to consider

• How many different solutions can you come up with?
• How difficult would each solution be to implement?
• Who would benefit most from each option?

Second Quarter

It’s time to narrow the field. Students will choose their strongest solution, draft their answers and use feedback to make their thinking stronger.

Primary Objectives

• Draft answers and request feedback

  • Students should develop their answers on the platform, then request feedback from teammates, teachers and advisors.

• Put feedback to work

  • Students should decide which feedback strengthens their solution, then use it to make their answers clearer and more convincing.

Pro tips

This is the Make Your Pick stage. Choose the strongest idea from all the possibilities and test whether it can work in the real world. Thoughtful discussion can also help students strengthen their answers and earn grit points.

Good questions to consider

• Would this solution work in the industry?
• What could prevent it from working?
• Has something like this been tried before?
• Were earlier attempts successful?

Halftime

Pause, think and make a plan. Halftime gives students a chance to map out their solution, focus their creativity and decide what needs to happen next.

Primary Objectives

• Map out the solution

  • Students should turn their chosen idea into a thoughtful, step-by-step plan for solving the problem.

• Plan the next steps

  • Identify what the solution requires, who needs to be involved and how the team will move from idea to action.

Pro tips

This is the Map the Route stage. Think of it like drawing a map from where you are now to where you want to be. Invite an outside advisor if the team could benefit from additional insight or experience.

Good questions to consider

• What steps are needed to make this solution happen?
• What people, tools or resources will you need?
• What obstacles should you plan for?
• How will you know the solution is working?

Third Quarter

Put your best video forward. Students will finalize their solution and create a short pitch that makes their idea clear, memorable and convincing.

Primary Objectives

• Create a video pitch

  • Students should create a 60–90 second video that explains their solution, shows why it matters and brings the idea to life.

• Finalize the roadmap and solution

  • Review every answer for clarity, spelling and grammar. Make sure the final submission is complete, consistent and easy to follow.

Pro tips

This is the Pitch Your Solution stage. Focus the video on one strong idea instead of trying to say everything. Use visuals when they help—and let the team’s energy and belief in the solution show.

Good questions to consider

• What is the main point you want to make?
• What should people remember about your idea?
• Why does this solution matter to the industry?
• Does the pitch clearly explain what makes the idea different?

Fourth Quarter

Finish strong. Students will assess the Challenge, polish their final submission and reflect on what they created, experienced and learned.

Primary Objectives

• Complete the assessments

  • Students should assess the Challenge, their solution and their overall experience while the details are still fresh.

• Finalize the answers and video pitch

  • Use the most valuable feedback to polish the final answers and video. Make sure the submission says exactly what the team wants it to say.

Pro tips

This is the Review and Reflect stage. Look back at the work, consider what went well and identify what the team would approach differently next time. Honest reflection turns one Challenge into experience students can carry forward.

Good questions to consider

• What did you learn about the industry?
• What did you learn about solving problems with a team?
• What would you improve about your solution?
• Could you see yourself working in this industry someday?

Overtime

The Challenge may be over, but the opportunities are just beginning. Students can strengthen their digital résumé, earn micro-credentials and prepare for potential interviews, internships and employer offers.

Primary Objectives

• Polish your digital résumé

  • Update your profile with the skills, experience and work you demonstrated during the Challenge. Make it easy for employers to see what you can do.

• Earn micro-credentials

  • Keep building your skills and completing opportunities to earn credentials that strengthen your profile and show employers you’re ready to work.

• Watch for employer offers

  • Check the platform regularly for potential interview, internship and career opportunities from employers interested in your work.

Pro tips

This is the Keep Building stage. Stay active, keep learning and make every part of your profile count. An up-to-date résumé, relevant micro-credentials and a little preparation can help turn strong Challenge work into a real opportunity.

Good questions to consider

• Does my profile clearly show what I can do?
• Which skills or micro-credentials should I build next?
• Can I explain my Challenge experience in an interview?
• Am I ready to respond when an opportunity arrives?