Education Programs

1. Participants must be high school students within the United States.
2. Each team may have no more than 5 members, and at least one of whom must be an Asian American.
3. Any work submitted must be original, plagiarism is prohibited.
4. Each team may have no more than 5 members, and at least one of whom must be an Asian American.
5. The Yuan Foundation has the honor of inviting judges from various fields to review the competition entries. The students must present their project before the panel.

Launched in 2022, this program encourages high school students to participate in civic activities by identifying, researching, and analyzing community or social issues, comparing them to existing policies, and proposing innovative solutions. This initiative aims to enhance civic engagement and leadership skills, empowering students to make a positive impact on their communities. 

Participants will earn 20 hours SSL after submitting.  

The program has received strong support from prominent legislators, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen, Ted Cruz, and John Cornyn; Congressmen Jamie Raskin, Gerry Connolly, and former Congressman David Trone; Maryland Governor Wes Moore; and several state officials from Maryland and Virginia. These leaders have recognized the program’s impact through videos, letters, and commendations. Awardees have also historically received citations from their representatives acknowledging their work for the community.

Review & Judging criteria

• The quality and effectiveness of the contestant’s proposals.
• The social responsibility of the letters.
• The likelihood of a successful launch.