Prototype Track | Design the Future
”Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known” - Carl Sagan

Vision

The Blue Dot Prototype Challenge invites young inventors to think like explorers - curious, skeptical, and imaginative. Participants will design an original prototype that expands the way we perceive or interact with our world. Inspired by Sagan’s fusion of science and imagination, this track celebrates invention as a form of discover: to test ideas, reveal unseen patterns, and illuminate our place in the cosmos.

Mission

Your goal is to create a working or conceptual prototype that could change how humans observe, learn, or adapt - on Earth or beyond it.
Projects should demonstrate:

• Curiosity-driven inquiry - asking bold questions and seeking evidence-based answers.
• Interdisciplinary design – merging art, computation, and science.
• Perspective shift – helping others see the world through a wider, more connected lens.

Acceptable Prototype Formats

You may submit prototypes built in digital, interactive, or sensor-based media, such as:

• Mobile or Web Applications
• Video Games (PC, console, or mobile)
• Roblox or Minecraft Worlds
• VR/AR Experiences
• Leap Motion Sensor Projects (gesture-based)
• Mixed-Reality or Holographic Interfaces (e.g., HoloLens, Meta Quest 3)
• AI Driven Simulations or Adaptive Learning Systems
• Wearable or Spatial Computing Prototypes (e.g., motion-tracking, emotion-responsive design)

For VR, AR, Mixed-Reality, or Sensor projects, submit a recorded MP4 demonstration (≤ 3 min) showing core interaction and function.

Written Explanation

Submit a two-page PDF that includes:

• Concept - What it is: the idea, purpose, and inspiration.
• Mechanics — How it works: tools, code, and design process.
• Relevance — Why it matters: its potential to advance knowledge, technology, or human understanding.

Visuals and diagrams are encouraged.

Eligibility & Team Rules

• Up to three students per team.
• Each school may submit multiple teams (only one project per student).
• All work must be original and student-created.
• Each submission includes:
• Prototype file or MP4 video
• Three-page PDF explanation