Student ChangeMaker Challenges

 ChangeMaker Challenges are fun and let students build confidence in their ability to make a difference in the world

Previous Student ChangeMaker Challenges

  • David Douglas High School

    Black Student Union (2020 Cohort)

    How Might We: Improve the High School Experience for Black Students?

    Watch

  • Climate Based Design Challenges

    KATU Innovation Challenge

    8th Grade Capstone

    Learn More

  • Transportation Electrification

    How Might We: Expand access to electric vehicle systems?

    6 Oregon Middle Schools

    180 Students

    Watch

  • Future of food

    How Might We: Build products and services that reduce food waste?

    2 week Summer Challenge

    15 Students

    Watch

  • Future of Livable Cities

    How Might We: Create communities welcome to all residents?

    2 Week Summer Challenge (2017)

    15 Students

    Partner with College Possible

    Centennial, Parkrose, Douglas, & Madison High Schools

    Watch
 

What Students are Saying

David Douglas High School’s Black Student Union members reflect after completing the Future of Equitable Schools design challenge.

What Teachers and Principals Are Saying

 

“The biggest impact has been allowing the students to be the experts. Bringing in industry professionals for students and teachers to learn from was key to making this happen. The other unique element for the students presenting at OMSI, they truly feel like their design is important. They can see how they can really make a difference.”

— Lisa Normand, Principal, Ogden Middle School

“Innovation is contagious. Students are excited by it and because innovation requires and demands high levels of learning, teachers feed off that excitement and develop other places and spaces that provide better learning opportunities. Design challenges encourage growth for everyone.”

—  Cassandra Thonstad, Assistant Principal, Mountain View Middle School


“Through this experience, I’ve seen students and teachers step beyond what they knew and begin exploring a real, complex problem. That moment when students realize they are working with an authentic problem, and that they have the ability to impact real change, everything shifts --Not only how students see learning, but how they see themselves in the learning process.”

— Casie Petrie, Principal, Chehalem Valley Middle School