How creative does the box need to be for success at DH scholarship?

The box component of the DH scholarship is a little unnerving for my student. She has an idea that is pretty clever, and it will definitely take some brainpower and work – more brain work than creativity. It is also geared towards Tulane and New Orleans. I really feel like she needs to apply for the DH along with Paul Tulane b/c as I understand it the Hainkel and Stamps winners come from the DH pool (we are Louisiana people). She is just not a “creative genius.” Will that be an obstacle?

“clever”, “brainpower”…sounds pretty creative to me. The word creative has very wide latitude. Great scientific discoveries are creative as are great works of art. If it fits her, it is no doubt the way to go. But if you/she wants to PM me her idea, I will give an opinion. It is only an opinion, of course, but I have seen hundreds of ideas and dozens of winning submissions.