What is the purpose of the ComEd EV Rally?
Young women are severely underrepresented in STEM fields – but with the right opportunities, and a healthy dose of inspiration, we believe we can help close that gap. That's where the EV race comes in – it's an event mean to engage, inspire and nurture a passion for STEM among young women in Chicagoland. It's just one of many ways ComEd is working to help build tomorrow’s STEM workforce.
What is STEM?
STEM corresponds with the academic disciplines related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
How do I sign up to participate?
To enter the contest during the contest entry period, please visit
www.ComEdEVRally.com and complete the entry form in its entirety.
When can I enter the contest?
This year's contest to be a part of ComEd's EV Rally will begin in February.
Is there a cost associated?
There is no cost associated with entering.
Who is eligible to participate in the ComEd EV Rally?
Girls ages 13-18 who reside in Illinois as of 02/20/23 and who are enrolled in 7th - 12th grade for the 2022-23 school year. All participants must have a parent's or legal guardian’s permission to enter and participate.
Do I have to have a parent's and/or legal guardian's permission to enter and participate?
Yes, all participants must have a parent's or legal guardian's permission to enter and participate.
Is there a deadline for submission?
The submission period will begin in February and ends in June.
How involved will parents and/or legal guardians be?
Upon participants submitting an entry, entrants' parent/legal guardian will be sent an email to the address provided at the time of entry with instructions to confirm that he/she agrees to his/her child's participation in the promotion and has read, understood and accepted the Official Rules.
Can entries be disqualified?
Yes, Sponsors can disqualify entries if the entry includes inappropriate, offensive or other derogatory language, content or information, or if they do not abide by the rules.
Do I need to be an A student to join?
No, participants are chosen based on their understanding and expression of STEM principles, appropriateness of response related to the promotion theme, creativity/originality and quality of their entry.
What is the Sponsor's role throughout the promotional period of the ComEd EV Rally?
ComEd, as the Sponsor of this event, is supporting the growth of STEM studies among young women across Chicagoland. Additionally, ComEd employees will mentor and assist in the assembly of workshops, and preparation and supervision of the race day competition. Sponsor mentors will not participate as vehicle drivers during race day events. Sponsor mentors will not provide correct answers to STEM challenges on race day to their respective teams.
Are build days held during a specific time or on a team's own schedule?
Build Days are from 6pm to 9pm (times to be confirmed) during the month of July. See Official Rules for exact dates.
How many mentors get devoted to each team?
Each team will have a minimum of one mentor who will assist during assembly workshops, and race day preparations, and will provide supervision during the race day competition.
How are participants chosen out of the pool of submissions?
Participants are chosen by a panel of independent, third-party judges appointed by the Sponsor. Eligible entries will be judged based on the following pre-determined set of criteria among all eligible entries received.
- 1. Understanding and expression of STEM principles: 40%
- 2. Appropriateness of response related to promotion theme: 20%
- 3. Creativity/Originality: 20%
- 4. Quality of Entry: 20%
Top 30 entries receiving the highest scores will be deemed the potential participants.
How soon will applicants be notified if they were chosen to participate?
Potential participants will be notified by Sponsor around the third week in June.
How will participants be contacted?
Potential participants will be notified via email. All participants will be required to complete, sign and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release and an IRS W9 form.
How are winners of the ComEd EV Rally race day event determined?
Winners are determined by:
The teams that cross the finish line in the shortest total time based on completing the preliminary race heat as well as the correct completion of the STEM challenges.
One final three-leg race will be conducted between the vehicles of the three teams that win a preliminary race heat.
What is my commitment if selected?
Participants are expected to attend at least three (3) build days and the race. If they cannot meet that obligation, an alternate participant may be selected.
What are the participant prizes of the ComEd EV Rally race?
There are 45 participant prizes available to be won. Each participant prize includes a scholarship check.
If I am a male interested in the science, math, engineering and technology, can I participate in the ComEd EV Rally event?
This event is exclusively for girls ages 13-18, but anyone is welcome to come cheer them on, come race day!
My cousin works at ComEd; can I still participate?
Yes!
My mom works at one of the companies helping with the ComEd EV Rally, can I still participate?
Unfortunately, if you are an employee, director, officer or independent contractor in any of the following categories below or are the immediate family member of such person you are NOT eligible to participate.
- 1. Sponsor or its parent companies, subsidiaries or affiliated companies
- 2. Any entities participating in the promotion
- 3. Any entities engaged with development, production or distribution of promotion materials or prizes.
My mom works at ComEd; can I still participate?
Unfortunately, if you are an employee, director, officer or independent contractor in any of the following categories below, or are the immediate family member of such person you are NOT eligible to participate.
- 1. Sponsor or its parent companies, subsidiaries, or affiliated companies
- 2. Any entities participating in the promotion
- 3. Any entities engaged with development, production or distribution of promotion materials or prizes.
ComEd is not my power provider; can I still enter?
Yes, of course!
Do participants need any specific equipment or technology to participate or will everything be provided to participants?
Participants will have all the equipment they need on build days provided to them.
Is the ComEd EV Rally race day event open to the public?
Yes. Come one, come all!
I'm in 6th grade; can I still participate?
Next year!
I live outside the Chicagoland area; can I still enter?
You must be a resident of Illinois to enter.
What happens if the weather does not hold out for the ComEd EV Rally?
If weather does not permit, race day may be rescheduled for an alternate time, or another day at the Sponsor's sole discretion at the same or an alternate location.
I'm having trouble accessing the website to apply. Who do I have contact if I have problems with the website?
If I want to participate but my parents won’t approve, can I still participate?
You need approval from a parent or a legal guardian in order to be eligible for participation in the promotion.
What if I get chosen and then can no longer attend? Is someone else allowed to take my place?
Time permitting, the Sponsor will select an alternate.
What does the ComEd EV Rally do for the community?
Since its inception, the ComEd EV Rally has provided learning opportunities, exposure to exciting information and prizes to over 150 young women across Chicagoland. This year, for the seventh iteration the ComEd EV Rally will add 45 more young women to that total.
Can I edit my application once I have entered my application?
No!
