In light of the recent flooding, I thought some might be interested in this worldwide competition:

http://www.floodcontrol2015.com/news/item/14285/a-serious-challenge-for-students

A SERIOUS CHALLENGE FOR STUDENTS!

20 -22 November 2012
Rotterdam

The 2nd European Flood Risk conference will be the place for the professionals to discuss recent developments in water safety, flood control and flood risk management. But what about the professionals of the future?Will there be any place for young, innovative brains to participate? Yes, because students from all disciplines and countries are very welcome to visit Rotterdam and develop new ideas or improve existing concepts for flood preparedness, response and recovery!
You, as a student or young professional, will be challenged to developa creative product to simulate a flood event or crisis situation which can be used for having interaction or as a training tool. This will be no paper work assignment, but hands on work and a lot of fun!During a 24-hour Pressure Cookeryou will design or develop a concept for aserious game with the help of professionals. A serious game typically reproduces a simplified version of reality while being educational and fun at the same time.


Who?
Students from all disciplines and all (applied)universities worldwideare welcome to send their ideas and motivation to join. More precisely, 3rd or 4rd Bachelor students and Master students are encouraged to join the competition. Graduated BSc/MSc students or PhD students with not more than 2 year work experience are also welcome.The most creative and motivated students will be part of this exciting contest.

Why?
Participating in this event means that you will have the unique opportunity to present your innovative ideas to professionals from the field. Together with them you will strengthen your plans to a concrete and potentially marketable concept in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.The winners of the competition will be supported for longer time by experts to completely develop their concept to a final product for an interested client. Additionally, they will receive an interactive tablet to visually support the development of their serious game!Of course nobody will be left emptied handed: all participants receivefree access to the conference on the 22th of November. You will have ample opportunities to strengthen your CV, to network with professionals from all over the worldand to learn more about flood risk management.

When?
The 24h Pressure Cooker will take place from 20th-21st November 2012 in Rotterdam. Participants are also granted free access to the Flood Risk 2012 conference on the 22nd November, where the winning group will receive their awards.

Costs
The participation in the contest is free of charge and the contestants will be provided with drinks, meals and snacks during the 24h Pressure Cooker. After the 24h Pressure Cooker session you can stay over for one night at a modest hostel for free. The organization doesnot cover travel costs to Rotterdam or back home.

Application

Do not miss this unique opportunity! To join the Serious Challenge we invite you to submit yourcontact details, Curriculum Vitae (CV) and motivation letter before 17thSeptember 2012 to 24hpressurecooker@floodcontrol2015.com Your motivation letter (max. 750 words) should include your motivation for joining and a proposal for a concept of a serious game concerning flood risk management for your own city or delta.
The students with the best proposals will be selected by a jury to participate in the Serious Challenge, based on their motivation and on the relevance and creativity of their solution. The selected students will becontacted by e-mail in the first week of November 2012.
More information: www.floodcontrol2015.com or www.floodrisk2012.net
or call Judith de Bruijne, +31 (0)6 50736754

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I currently live in Rotterdam where this is held so if you become involved in this, please let me know!

Note you must submit a your CV and motivation letter by September 17th... in 3 days!