Nos Programmes

Pour les Jeunes

UP4 THE CHALLENGE fournit aux étudiants du secondaire les outils et la confiance nécessaires pour relever les défis sociaux au sein de leur communauté. Les participants utilisent un processus de conception centré sur l'humain pour créer des solutions novatrices tout en développant une appréciation du potentiel des STIM comme outil de changement positif.

Nous offrons actuellement des programmes à Ottawa et à Toronto en collaboration avec des écoles, des établissements postsecondaires et des organismes communautaires.

Student Programs

Half-Day (2 ½ Hour)

Program Overview:

Half-day School Workshops

Empower young innovators with our immersive half-day workshop on human-centered design, crafted for students in grades 7-12.

Unlock creativity and transform ideas into impactful real-world solutions through the power of STEM.

Understanding Human-Centered Design:

Identify key end-users and their unique needs.

Assess the significance and potential impact of the challenge.

Idea Generation:

Brainstorm diverse ideas and develop concepts within a team.

Create low-fidelity prototypes and get feedback.

Implementing STEM for Social Impact:

Refine prototypes through iterative improvements.

Apply innovative solutions within the community.

Measure the impact of STEM on social outcomes.

Click here to see our Half-Day Design Challenge

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Community Partner Workshops Overview:

Community Partner Workshops

By partnering with organizations like Evergreen Brick Works, we equip youth with the tools to design innovative solutions that address real-world challenges faced by real people.

Collaborative Impact:

Partner with grassroots organizations like Evergreen Brick Works, Visions of Science, and TNO-The Neighbourhood Organization.

Gain valuable insights into local social issues through meaningful collaborations.

Youth-Driven Solutions:

Empower youth to develop actionable solutions for real-world challenges.

Foster innovation through the application of human-centered design in a collaborative environment.

Mutual Benefits:

Strengthen practical skills while contributing fresh perspectives on community challenges.

click here to see previous and ongoing workshops!

Here are previous topics we have covered:

Climate Action - Energy Conservation.
Healthy Living in Communities.
Sustainable Practices and Food Security.
Accessibility in Recreational Spaces.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Engineering.
Digital Technology for Wellbeing - Intergenerational Design.
Fast Fashion and Consumerism.
Sustainable and Accessible Transportation.
Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Considerations.

Topics We Explore:

The diverse topics offered by Up4 The Challenge are essential for engaging students in meaningful learning. We work closely with educational program leads to tailor topics to participants' interests, ensuring relevance and deeper engagement. This variety inspires critical thinking and innovation, helping students address real-world issues and preparing them to be future leaders.

Educator Programs

Educator Program Outline:

Educator Training

Leaders and educators harness the power of human-centered design to explore how STEM can drive positive change.

Each session is thoughtfully tailored to meet distinct leadership and learning objectives, ensuring a customized and impactful experience.

Understanding Human-Centered Design:

Identify end-users and their needs.

Explore the importance of the challenge and potential opportunities.

Ideation & Prototyping:

Conduct a group brainstorming session.

Create and share a low-fidelity prototype with end-users.

Collect feedback on design ideas.

Connecting STEM to Social Outcomes:

Identify the inputs and outcomes of design solutions.

Engage in self-reflection and initiate a call to action.

Click here to see our Design Thinking Workshop

Educator Resources

We offer a range of educator resources designed to boost creativity, human-centred design, and problem-solving skills in young people. These include lesson plans, activities, and toolkits that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and experiential learning through real-world challenges.

stemflower 2.0, a groundbreaking, digital tool to deepen an appreciation of how STEM supports social outcomes.

Engineering Improvisation: A New Approach to the Design Thinking Mindset, developed in collaboration with McMaster University and available for free through eCampus Ontario.

Lesson plans, worksheets, and learning toolkits that support human-centred design in STEM contexts.

Éléments Fondamentaux du Programme

« Design Thinking » - introduction à la façon dont on peut créer un changement social pour notre organisation partenaire
Comprendre les problèmes du point de vue des utilisateurs par l'écoute, l'empathie et la réflexion
Conception pratique et itérative en collaboration avec notre partenaire communautaire

Grâce à ces éléments, une prise de conscience de la nature interdisciplinaire de la conception est encouragée.

Nos Partenaires Communautaires

Notre programme ne serait pas ce qu'il est sans le soutien dévoué de nos partenaires communautaires. En collaborant avec des organisations qui ont une connaissance approfondie des questions sociales et qui travaillent directement avec les gens de la communauté, nous permettons aux jeunes de concevoir des solutions à des problèmes qui existent pour des personnes réelles. Le résultat est une expérience inestimable tant pour les participants du programme que pour les membres de la communauté qui travaillent avec nos organisations partenaires.

Centre Alimentaire Parkdale

Nous avons la chance de travailler en étroite collaboration avec le centre alimentaire Parkdale, une organisation locale d'Ottawa qui partage notre vision de construire des communautés plus saines et plus connectées. Un grand merci à Karen Secord et Sue Hall pour leur soutien continu!

Pour en savoir plus sur notre programme avec le centre alimentaire Parkdale, cliquez ici :

Evergreen Brick Works

À Evergreen, les participants à notre programme apprennent à connaître les pratiques durables qui favorisent l'épanouissement des villes. Isaac Crosby, chef d’équipe en agriculture urbaine, partage ses connaissances sur les pratiques agricoles indigènes et différentes idées à mettre en œuvre à la maison et au sein de la communauté. Quelle que soit la saison, il y a toujours quelque chose à voir, à sentir ou à goûter dans les jardins d'Isaac!

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