As the TwitChange auction winds down, we've come across another group of people working to make the world a better place.  The Microsoft® powered search engine Bing has started a contest - "What Our School Needs."  You could win a $100,000 grand prize or one of three $50,000 first prizes.

It's relatively simple.  A "need" could be whatever you think your school needs to give your fellow students a better education.  These could be new computers, a new basketball court, new science equipment, more musical instruments, or anything else.  Once you create your entry, you get people to go and rate your need.  If you make it to the finals, your entry will be voted on so it's good to get the support rolling early.  Visit http://www.discoverbing.com/education/ourschoolneeds/ to get started.

First, you need an idea.  You complete the sentence - "My School Needs:______________."  A whole class can work together or individual students and teachers can create their own entries.  The second step is to create your entry.  This comes in two parts - part one is an essay about what your school needs.  The essay needs to be at least 500 words in length.  The second part is to show the need through pictures and/or video.  If you're able, a video can really help bring your need to life on the internet and improve your chances during the voting period.

The entries start on September 27, but you only have until October 22, 2010 to create and submit them.  The earlier you submit, the better your chance of getting rated and making it to the finalist round.  The last day to get ratings is October 24 and the finalists are announced on October 27.  After a week and a half of voting on the finalists, the winners are announced on November 9!

This contest is open to any teacher or student of a K-12 public or private school.  Students under 18 can create an entry, but will need a teacher, parent or legal guardian to submit the entry on their behalf and all entrants must be legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C.

So, get those ideas rolling for what your school needs and thanks to Bing, you just might get it!  For more information, visit Bing.com/education.