For parents & guardians
Short version: we collect as little as possible, we don’t sell data, and your kid’s conversations with our AI tools are used only to evaluate the contest entry. The Idea Challenge is a program of Exponential Scholars, a North Carolina nonprofit.
What we collect
- A nickname (not a full name).
- Age and a community name (town / city / county).
- The idea content your kid writes, says, or generates.
- An email address only when they finalize their submission — used exclusively to contact finalists.
What we don’t do
- No ads, ever.
- No third-party analytics or tracking pixels.
- No selling or sharing of data with marketers.
- No collection of precise location, school name, or phone numbers.
Safety
Our AI partner, Spark, is designed to help your kid think — not to give medical, legal, or safety advice, and not to collect personal information. If your kid types something that suggests self-harm, bullying, or abuse, Spark responds with warmth and points them toward a trusted adult and 988.
Prize fulfillment
Finalists will be contacted via the email collected at submission. A parent or guardian co-signature is required before any prize is disbursed. US tax paperwork (W-9 / 1099) may be required for prizes over $600.
Delete request
Email hello@exponentialscholars.org to request your kid’s entry be deleted.