Clues relate to the Community Idea Stations five impact areas – children’s education, science and discovery, arts and culture, history and heritage, and news and public affairs. To jazz things up, contest organizers have created a challenging mix of anagrams, secret messages, instructions to call a phone number, tasks involving mental agility, and prompts to find a hidden picture. Once one clue is cracked, teams are led to additional clues at sponsors’ websites and public venues.

With all clues solved, participants will then travel back to the contest website to submit the answer to the final clue as a team before the weekly deadline. If you’re a brainiac and your answer happens to be correct, your team receives 200 points. Teams may also earn 1 point per dollar raised. To qualify for the final round, held June 2nd at the Library of Virginia, teams must earn 1500 points through any combination of puzzle solving and fundraising. Along the way fundraisers will have an opportunity to earn incentives, awards, hints, and time bonuses.

For all the mental gymnastics involved, teams will have a chance to fatten the coffers of The Community Ideas Stations, which offers programs to help pre-schoolers learn to read, unlock mysteries with science and storytelling, and open hearts with music and dance. For more, visit www.bigideachallenge.org.