Deadline: 14 May 2020
Are you a young person creatively using STEM skills to make our world more sustainable? If yes, then apply now to strengthen the movement among a new generation of problem solvers taking on environmental issues.
General Motors (GM) and Ashoka recognize young people as powerful actors in solving our planet’s most pressing sustainability challenges. They are partnering to launch Our Planet, Our Purpose: STEM for Changemaking, an online challenge for young changemakers across the U.S.
To thrive in a dynamic, ever-changing world, Ashoka needs more changemakers responding to the problems around us. Leading innovators throughout history have been motivated by urgent societal issues, like climate change. Purpose and commitment are key ingredients for anyone to unlock their changemaking potential — and that includes engineers, scientists, and tech experts. By combining changemaking and STEM education, young people are driving towards a more sustainable future.
Prize Information
- Early Entry Prize: Ashoka will provide additional one-on-one support and feedback to entries submitted by April 15th.
- Each winning project will get to send one representative to convene in person for an all-expenses paid trip to General Motors’ Detroit, Michigan, headquarters in July for the Changemaker Summit. During this two-day immersive experience, changemakers will receive mentorship from General Motors executives and skills training from Ashoka. Each team will also receive $1,000 in seed funding.
- All winning teams will have access to ongoing mentorship and skills development webinars after the event.
- General Motors and Ashoka will also select up to five teams to be featured for additional opportunities, support, and visibility. Details TBD!
In light of the global health concerns due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Ashoka is monitoring public health guidance in relation to in-person events. As the event draws nearer, Ashoka will determine whether an in-person convening is safe for participants based on the best information available and current policies. They do not take such decisions lightly, and their top priority is the health and well-being of their participants.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you must meet all of the following criteria.
- You are a young person between the ages of 14-18 by August 1, 2020 and a resident of the United States and its territories.
- You are the founder, co-founder, or hold an equivalent leadership position within the initiative your application represents.
- You have at least one other person on your team.
- You are committed to mobilizing more young people to join the changemaker movement and to working with changemakers to solve environmental sustainability issues.
- You have been actively working on your idea for at least three months.
- You are able to submit your application in English.
- You are not employed, nor directly related (parents or sibling) to a General Motors (GM) or Ashoka employee.
- If chosen as a winner, you commit to attending the Changemaker Summit at the GM headquarters (an all-expense paid trip) in July 22-24, 2020.
Evaluation Criteria
Entries will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Changemaker Quality: You identify as a Changemaker and are already taking steps to make a real difference by leveraging STEM for social change. You are also encouraging others to do so.
- Creativity: Whether you’re tackling a new challenge or bringing a different perspective to an existing problem, you’re doing it in a fresh and innovative way that challenges the norm.
- Commitment: You have actively been working on this project for at least three months and have made progress – e.g. you have gone through the process of customer discovery and/or have developed prototypes. You are ready to stick by your project and leave a lasting impact.
- Connection: You are focused on making a difference for the environment and can demonstrate a personal connection. You are open to connecting with others and working together to solve the problem you care about.
For more information, visit https://network.changemakers.com/challenge/stemforchangemaking2020/brief