Official Rules

OF THE FUTURE WAVEMAKERS STEM CHALLENGE
(THE “CHALLENGE”)

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE TEACHER, PARENT, OR GUARDIAN OF THE ENTRANT.

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. BY ENTERING, ENTRANT AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

1.  SPONSOR. The Sponsor of this Challenge is Livingston’s Way, a nonprofit Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization located in Florida. Sponsor’s mission is to unleash young innovators through science-led entrepreneurship STEM programs. Sponsor fosters creativity, critical thinking, and passion for science, technology, engineering, and math.
2. ELIGIBILITY. This Challenge is open to legal residents of the State of Florida, who are at least four (4) years of age and who are under nineteen (19) years of age as of February 28, 2026. The teacher, parent, or guardian of the entrant must submit the entry. For the purposes of these Official Rules, an eligible minor who will be under nineteen (19) years of age as of February 28, 2026 and his/her parent or legal guardian will be referred to herein collectively as “Entrant” or “you.” Void where prohibited by law. Employees of Sponsor, its promotional partners and their respective parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies (and members of their immediate family and/or those living in the same household of each such employee) are not eligible to enter or win a prize. Immediate family members include siblings, grandparents, offspring, aunts, uncles, and first cousins.
3. HOW TO ENTER. The Future Wavemakers Challenge (the “Challenge”) begins on October 6, 2025 and is sponsored by Livingston’s Way (the “Sponsor”). All entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm EST on January 28, 2026 by going to https://www.futurewavemakers.org/challenge and following the instructions. In order to enter, you must determine your category and create a submission as instructed for your respective category.

   Explorers, ages 4-10, must either highlight their favorite, most intriguing fact about Florida’s nature or conduct an interview with a wildlife expert, scientist, entrepreneur, librarian, teacher, or nature enthusiast. The submission must be either a video starring the entrant, one (1) to five (5) minutes in length, or a written essay of 200-300 words with optional photos. Selected finalists in this category will receive a Kids Club membership and funding for their class to participate in a Nature Adventure Field Trip.

   Entrepreneurs, ages 11-18, must develop a pitch or presentation for an entrepreneurial idea focused on protecting Florida’s nature. The submission must be either a video starring the entrant, two (2) to five (5) minutes in length, or a written essay of 200-300 words with optional photos. The top 10 finalists in this category will receive an invitation to the Pitch Tank on February 28, 2026.
   
   Teams or Classes, ages 4-18, must share an action that their team or class is taking to protect Florida’s nature. The submission must be either a video starring the team, two (2) to five (5) minutes in length, or a written essay of 200-300 words with optional photos. The top team will receive a $10,000 school grant.

   In order to submit an entry, your parent, legal guardian, or teacher can go to https://www.futurewavemakers.org/challenge (the “Website”) and follow the instructions on the Website to complete the program entry form (the “Entry Form”) and provide your video or essay as described above. It is not acceptable for the video to have been previously created by someone else, and you may not plagiarize or copy portions of any videos or essays previously created or published. Videos may not contain music. Entrants are required to submit original work for their entry. While Sponsor acknowledges the use of existing sources for inspiration and research, Sponsor maintains the right to disqualify any entry if there is suspicion or confirmation of plagiarism. While Sponsor values artificial intelligence (“AI”) as a tool, this Challenge is about original content and creativity. Therefore, using AI-generators, such as ChatGPT or DALL-E, is considered plagiarism and grounds for disqualification. If any permissions or releases are necessary from subjects in your video, you must obtain them prior to submission. Videos and essays must not exceed the maximum duration or word count outlined in the category description. Incomplete applications are not valid. All entries must have a parent, guardian, or teacher submit the entry and by submitting the entry, the teacher, parent, or legal guardian acknowledges that they have the student’s permission to submit the video or essay and granted the student permission to participate.

   Limit one (1) entry per person or team. Sponsor is not responsible for late, illegible, incomplete entries, or entries not received for any reason. Entries are subject to the official rules outlined herein (the “Official Rules”). Entries become sole property of Sponsor, and none will be acknowledged or returned. By entering, you warrant that the entry is original to you and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party.

4.  JUDGING. The Challenge will consist of three (3) rounds of evaluation by a qualified judging panel. In the first round, the judging panel will review and select the top finalists in each category. Parents/legal guardians of the selected potential finalists will be notified in early February, 2026. The Explorers finalists will receive a Kids Club membership and funding for their class to participate in a Nature Adventure Field Trip. The Entrepreneurs top 10 finalists will receive an invitation to the Pitch Tank on February 28, 2026. The Team/Class top team will receive a $10,000 school grant.
   The judges will evaluate all entries based on creativity, impact, and adherence to the Challenge objectives per category. The judging panel will review all official entries based on the following criteria:

   Content and Knowledge (30%): Consider the understanding of the topic, inclusion of relevant information, and demonstration of knowledge about nature conservation.

   Innovation and Creativity (25%): The level of originality, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking demonstrated in the project or idea.

   Impact on Education and Awareness (20%): Consider the project’s ability to inspire and engage others in the mission of protecting Florida’s nature.

   Presentation and Communication (15%): Assess the ability to effectively convey the problem, proposed solution, and potential impact to a broader audience.

   Clarity and Organization (10%): Evaluate the clarity and organization of the project. Consider the structure, flow, and coherence of the content.

   Decisions of judges are made in their sole discretion and are final and binding. In the case of a tie, the final award for a category will be determined by the judges.
   Parents/legal guardians of the selected potential winners and/or the potential winners will be notified on or around February 7, 2026. The parents/legal guardians of any Divisional Prize Winner or Grand Prize Winner who is a minor will be notified by telephone and email. Any Divisional Prize Winner or Grand Prize Winner who is eighteen (18) years of age or older will be notified by telephone and email. Sponsor shall have no liability for any winner notification that is lost, intercepted, or not received by the potential winner or winner’s parent or legal guardian for any reason. If, despite reasonable efforts, a winner does not respond within two (2) days of the first notification attempt, or if a prize notification is returned as unclaimed or undeliverable to such potential prize winner, such potential winner may forfeit the applicable prize and an alternate winner may be selected. If any potential prize winner is found to be ineligible, or if he or she has not complied with these Official Rules or declines the applicable prize for any reason prior to award, such potential winner may be disqualified, and an alternate winner may be selected.

5. DIVISIONAL PRIZES AND GRAND PRIZES (5). The judge’s panel will select finalists in each category as described in Section 3 above. There will be category winners and one overall Grand Prize Winner selected from among the finalists. The category winners will receive the following prizes (with the Approximate Retail Values (“ARV”) of said prizes in parentheses next to each respective prize):Explorers, Ages 4-10: One (1) trophy (ARV: $25); one (1) copy of Wave Makers Book (ARV: $27); Kids Club membership and funding for their class to participate in a Nature Adventure Field Trip (ARV: $1,000). The total Approximate Retail Value of these prizes together is approximately $1,052.

   Entrepreneurs, Ages 11-18: One (1) trophy (ARV: $25); one gift bag; one (1) copy of Wave Makers Book (ARV: $27); invitation to the Pitch Tank on February 28, 2026; and one (1) STEM scholarship in the amount of $2,500. The total Approximate Retail Value of these prizes together is approximately $2,552.

   Teams/Class, Ages 4-18: One (1) $10,000 school grant to fund STEM education at the winning group’s school or organization (ARV: $10,000). In addition, the group will receive one (1) trophy, one (1) gift bag, and one (1) copy of the Wave Makers Book (ARV: $27) per student in the winning group, as determined by the judging panel. The total Approximate Retail Value of these prizes together is approximately $10,052, subject to adjustment based on group size.

   The Grand Prize Winner, selected from among the category winners, will receive the following prize (with the Approximate Retail Values (“ARV”) of said prize in parentheses next to each respective prize):

   The honorary title of “Future Wavemaker Student of the Year,” one (1) $5,000 educational grant to be used to advance their STEM education (ARV: $5,000), one (1) trophy (ARV: $25), gift bag, one (1) copy of Ocean Book signed by Dr. Sylvia Earle (ARV: $50), and the opportunity to meet Dr. Sylvia Earle at the Kids Summit/Pitch Tank on February 28, 2026. The total Approximate Retail Value of these prizes together is $5,275.

   ALL TAXES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNERS. The prizes are awarded without warranty, express or implied, of any kind. All other expenses and costs not expressly listed above, including, but not limited to, transportation to and from winners’ home residence, are the winners’ sole responsibility. Sponsor is not responsible for changes in schedule of any element of the prize. Each Entrant or the Entrant’s parent or legal guardian agrees to have the Entrant’s name and likeness used in all media in conjunction with the Challenge. All videos and essays submitted to enter the Challenge are deemed to be the property of Sponsor.

6.  ODDS OF WINNING. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received and skill of the entrant.
7. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN CHALLENGE. No transfer, assignment, or substitution of a prize is permitted, except Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize (or prize component) for an item of equal or greater value at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Nothing in these Official Rules shall obligate Sponsor to publish or otherwise use any entry submitted in connection with this Challenge. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Challenge. By entering, Entrant represents that all entry materials submitted as part of Entrant’s Challenge entry are original to Entrant and will not constitute defamation or an invasion of privacy or otherwise infringe upon the rights of any third party, and that the Entrant owns or has the rights to convey any and all right and title in such materials to Sponsor and/or Sponsor’s designees as contemplated hereunder. In addition, by entering, Entrant grants to Sponsor a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to edit, publish, promote, republish at any time in the future and otherwise use Entrant’s submitted entry, along with Entrant’s name, likeness, biographical information, and any other information provided by Entrant, including but not limited to video clips, in any and all media for possible editorial, promotional, or advertising purposes, without further permission, notice, or compensation (except where prohibited by law). The Entrant therefore releases, discharges, and agrees to hold harmless the Sponsor from any claims and liability arising from or relating to the Application and the Challenge of each Application.The parents or legal guardians of potential winners, as a condition of being a Divisional Prize Winner and/or a Grand Prize Winner or receiving any prize will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release, and where legally permissible, a Publicity Release, confirmation of a license containing the terms set forth herein and above and any other affidavits, declarations, and/or releases or additional documents that may be required by Sponsor (collectively, the “Additional Documents”) within five (5) days following the date of Sponsor’s first attempted notification. The Additional Documents will include, among other things, certification that: (a) entry does not defame or invade the privacy of any party; (b) entry does not infringe upon the rights of any third party; and (c) the entry materials submitted are original. Failure to comply with this seven (7) day deadline may result in Entrant’s forfeiture of a prize and Sponsor’s selection of an alternate finalist or winner. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, may also result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission for Sponsor and its agencies to use winner’s name and/or likeness, biographical information, and entry materials for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. By entering Challenge and/or accepting a prize, Entrants and winners agree to hold Sponsor and its promotional partners, its directors, officers, employees, and assigns harmless for liability, damages, or claims for injury or loss to any person or property including death relating to, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, participation in this Challenge, the acceptance and/or subsequent use or misuse, or condition of any of the prizes awarded, including providing their time or content to Sponsor, or claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy. As between Entrant and Sponsor, Entrant shall be responsible for, and indemnify and hold Sponsor harmless from and against any claim by or on behalf of a third party in connection with, or resulting from, any act or omission related to any of the information or materials submitted as part of an entry. False or deceptive entries or acts that Sponsor becomes aware of may render the Entrant ineligible and may result in liability to Sponsor and/or third parties. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the immediate and unrestricted right to disqualify any entrant or prize winner, if either commits or has committed any act, or has been involved or becomes involved in any situation or occurrence that the Sponsor deems likely to subject the Sponsor, Entrant, or Winner to ridicule, scandal, or contempt, or which reflects unfavorably upon the Sponsor in any way, including any alleged claim of a violation of third party rights. If such information is discovered by Sponsor after a Winner has received notice of the prize and before the prize is awarded, Sponsor may rescind the prize in its entirety. If a portion of the prize has already been awarded, Sponsor may withdraw the remainder of the prize that has been fulfilled. Decisions of the Sponsor are final and binding in all matters related to this paragraph. Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Contest, or in the announcement of the prizes.
8. DISPUTES, GOVERNING LAW. The parties waive all rights to trial in any action or proceeding instituted in connection with these Official Rules, including, without limitation, the Challenge. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Official Rules and/or the Challenge shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association and the Federal Arbitration Act. Any such controversy or claim shall be arbitrated on an individual basis and shall not be consolidated in any arbitration with any claim or controversy of any other party. The arbitration shall be conducted in West Palm Beach, Florida.
   THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE INTERPRETATION OF ITS TERMS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAWS RULES EXCEPT THAT THIS ARBITRATION PROVISION SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT. For any matters that are not subject to arbitration as set forth in these Official Rules and/or in connection with the entering of any judgment on an arbitration award in connection with these Official Rules and/or the Challenge, the parties irrevocably submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in or closest to Palm Beach County in the State of Florida. The parties agree not to raise the defense of forum non conveniens.
9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. IN NO EVENT WILL THE RELEASED ENTITIES (WHICH INCLUDE SPONSOR AND ITS PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS, THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND ASSIGNS) BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ACCESS TO AND/OR USE OF ANY SITES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHALLENGE AND/OR DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM ANY SITES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHALLENGE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THIS CHALLENGE AND ALL PRIZES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NONINFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY. Entrant agrees not to make any public announcement or publish any information regarding the Challenge, including but not limited to sharing or otherwise disclosing any written information, photographs, or images associated with the Challenge, in any media, including all social media platforms, without prior written approval of Sponsor or as provided herein, which such authorization may be terminated at the sole discretion of Sponsor at any time.
11. RIGHT TO CHANGE, CANCEL, OR SUSPEND CHALLENGE. If, for any reason, the Challenge is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, worms, Trojan horses, denial of service attacks, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Challenge, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual(s) who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Challenge. Sponsor reserves the right to change these Official Rules at any time, in its sole discretion, and to suspend or cancel the Challenge.
12. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of these rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or appointed arbitrator, such determination shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision herein.
13. USE OF DATA. Sponsor’s use of data will be in accordance with its privacy policy located here: privacy policy. By participating in the Challenge, entrants and their parents or legal guardians hereby agree to Sponsor’s collection and usage of their personal information and acknowledge that they have read and accepted Sponsor’s privacy policy.
14. WINNER’S LIST. For the names of winners, visit https://www.futurewavemakers.org after February 28, 2026.