The Big Idea Challenge in Seven Simple Steps

Before you read the remainder of this blog, ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I free on the evening of Wednesday, June 4?
• Do I listen to or watch public broadcasting?
• Would I enjoy showing others how freaking smart I am?
• Do I enjoy the taste of local, craft beer?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions above, then you might be interested in the Big Idea Challenge, a puzzle-solving adventure that benefits the Community Idea Station – and specifically children’s programming. Yes, like Big Bird.

Don’t wait for someone else to take the lead when it comes to participating in the 2014 Big Idea Challenge. This year it’s easier than ever to take the reins and be the leader.

Follow the seven steps below and you’ll be on your way to a brain-busting victory, followed by refreshing beverages at Hardywood.

1. Find five friends. Pull together as many as five people that you enjoy, admire or can tolerate on a Wednesday evening. Friends can come in the form of co-workers, neighbors, actual friends, kinda friends, crushes, etc. If you find more than five friends (lucky you!) then encourage them to form another team and compete against each other.
2. Register your team. OK, here is where follow-through is essential – it’s time to register. So, come up with your catchy team name, go to bigideachallenge.org and make it official.
3. Raise $100. It’s not that hard, really. Between your 200-900 Facebook friends, co-workers who declined to physically participate in the BIC, distant relatives who long to connect with you and friends who guilt you into donating to their causes, each member of your team will reach $100 easily and you’ll earn your free t-shirt and beer.
4. Compete for the prizes. This year, the BIC team is getting the competition and puzzle-solving started early by offering clues to prizes scattered around the city (read: gift cards for local businesses, tickets to Flying Squirrels game, etc.). Follow the clues on the Big Idea Challenge website and on Facebook.
5. Prepare for the puzzles. Ever had the pleasure of participating in a Ravenchase Adventure? How do I put this? It’s less word search, more DaVinci Code. And trust me, you’re more than capable of solving the puzzles.
6. Show up at the Science Museum of Virginia. It gets even easier from here. Check-in starts at 5:30 p.m. and the race begins at 6 p.m. Wear comfortable shoes, practice your team pep talk, memorize all your teammates’ names and remember that beer and all your brainy glory is just minutes, miles and a few mind games away.
7. Drink beer and celebrate. Win or lose, everyone had fun and you were able to lead your team to either victory or beer. By this point, your team’s argument over that anagram will have passed. Cheers!

And that’s it. That’s all it takes to make a big impact and have some fun for a great cause.

Register today at bigideachallenge.org or send any questions to bigidea@ideastations.org