Design our new website.
Build your portfolio.
We're looking for a University of Waikato student or team to design the new home of Waikato Women in STEM. Real client experience. A live website to show employers. Recognition that lasts beyond the competition.
OPEN TO
ALL University of Waikato Students
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE
13th September
PRIZE GIVING
TBC
A community for the
underrepresented.
Women are underrepresented across many STEM disciplines. We're working to change that at the University of Waikato.
Through academic support, professional development, and social engagement, we provide networking and industry exposure for our members. We also host inclusive social events that build meaningful connections and a strong sense of belonging.
We need a website that reflects who we are and helps us grow. That's where you come in.
OUR VISION
"To see women, no longer underrepresented in STEM, being supported, inspired, and equipped to thrive and lead in their fields. By creating an inclusive and meaningful community."
Design the professional online home of WWiSTEM.
Who the site speaks to
Potential sponsors looking to support women in STEM
Current club members staying connected
New members thinking about joining
University staff and the wider community
What the site needs
An About Us section telling our story
Profiles for our committee — Executive, Board of Reps, General Committee, Social Media Team
Acknowledgement of our sponsors and associations
A way for prospective sponsors to get in touch
Upcoming events with registration forms
A gallery and contact section
Links to our LinkedIn and Instagram
Recognition of Rocketspark sponsorship
Four steps. That's it.
01
Register
Fill in the form below to lock in your spot. We'll set up your build environment within 48 hours.
5 minutes
02
Get your toolkit
You'll get a blank Rocketspark trial site, the full brief, our logos, committee details, sponsor info, and content to use.
Within 48 hours
03
Design and build
Bring your creativity. Build the site on your trial. No coding needed — just design thinking and the Rocketspark editor.
Take your time
04
Submit
Click your submit link, share your live site URL, and tell us about the design choices you made.
By 4th September
What we're looking for.
Every submission is judged on the same five things. There's no secret formula — meet the brief, design with care, make it easy to use.
01
How well it represents the club
Does the site feel like Waikato Women in STEM? Does it tell our story to all four of our audiences?
02
Completion of all requirements
About Us, committee, sponsors, contact, events, gallery, social links, Rocketspark recognition. All present and working.
03
Professional presentation
Polished, considered, ready to send to a potential sponsor. Typography, spacing, and consistency all matter.
04
Creativity and design quality
Does the site stand out? Does it bring something fresh while still working for our audiences?
05
Ease of use and navigation
A first-time visitor should find what they need without thinking. Mobile and desktop both. Working links, clear flow.
A note on creative flexibility: If you take creative liberties and don't include every requirement, you can justify your decisions in your submission. Your design rationale gets read by the judges. But the safest path is to meet the brief, then make it brilliant.
More than a prize.
Every entrant who completes their submission gets recognition. The winner gets the lot.
WINNER
Your design becomes our website.
✓ $100 prize
✓ Your work goes live as the official WWiSTEM website
✓ A Client Recommendation Letter from Waikato Women in STEM
✓ Recognition and a certificate
✓ Featured on our LinkedIn and Instagram
✓ An opportunity to get an official letter for endorsement from Rocketspark
ALL COMPLETED SUBMISSIONS
You'll walk away with this.
✓ A Client Recommendation Letter from WWiSTEM
✓ Recognition and a certificate
✓ A LinkedIn recognition post
✓ A real-world project for your portfolio
EVERYONE WHO ENTERS
The experience itself.
✓ A real client brief, not a hypothetical exercise
✓ Free access to Rocketspark, fully sponsored
✓ Direct support from the Rocketspark design team
✓ The chance to launch a live, public site
Quick answers.
Do I have to be a Waikato student?
Mainly, yes. The competition is for University of Waikato students first. If you're outside the uni but based in the Waikato region and want to enter, get in touch and we'll have a chat.
Do I need to be a woman to enter?
No. Anyone can enter. The site itself is for a club that supports women and gender-diverse students in STEM, but the design challenge is open to everyone.
Can I enter as a team?
Yes. Teams of up to three. List everyone when you register.
What if I've never used Rocketspark?
That's fine. It's designed to be picked up quickly. We'll give you links to the help guides, and a direct line to support if you hit anything tricky.
Who owns the work I submit?
By submitting, you transfer ownership of the design, content and assets to WWiSTEM. You keep the right to show your work in your personal portfolio with credit. Full details on the terms page.
Can I use stock photos, fonts or icons?
Yes, as long as they're properly licensed for commercial use (e.g. Unsplash, Pexels, Google Fonts). Everything you submit must be either your own original work or correctly licensed third-party content. Check the terms for the details.
Do I need to confirm when I'm finished?
Yes. When your site is ready, click the submit link from your welcome email and confirm your entry. Sites that aren't formally submitted by the deadline won't be judged.
Ready to build something real?
Registration takes about five minutes. We'll handle the rest.