The Elms Innovation Challenge is an experiential learning opportunity for all first years students to collaborate on innovative ways to tackle the big problems.
This years challenge teaches students design thinking, the innovation process and team building skills.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Tuesday 9/5
Elms Essentials- 8:30am -4:30pm
• 9:30-11:00 am-Innovation Challenge Workshop 1- Dining Hall
• 1:45-3:45 pm-Innovation Challenge Workshop 2- Dining Hall
Monday 9/11 Guest Speaker on Revenue Models and How to Pitch
Wednesday 9/13 Panel of Innovation- Veritas (1:25pm-2:40pm)
Wednesday 9/20 Pitch Madness- Veritas (12:30pm-2:45pm)
Monday 9/25 Mentors meet with classes to provide feedback to teams
LIVE INNOVATION CHALLENGE
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 from 9:00am-5pm
9:00am-12:15pm
Round 1- Presentations (Top 3 from each group move to finals)
- Teams 1-14 (Library Theater)
- Teams 15-25 (FDR)
- Teams 26-38 (Veritas)
12:15 am-12:45 pm – Lunch
1:00pm-3:30pm – Final Presentations (Veritas)
● Final Presentations
● Judges Deliberations
● Awards
3:30pm-5:00pm– Food Truck & Music in the Quad
What is the Innovation Challenge?
Overview
Students will be placed in teams of 5-6 students with their first-year seminar course. These teams will work together learning about brainstorming, design thinking, innovation and problem solving. Student teams will use this process to create a new “innovation” and pitch that innovation live to a panel of judges. Individuals can win money if their team is selected by the judges. See the prize information and judging criteria later in the workbook.
The Objective
• Develop students’ professional and networking skills
• Approach problem solving and innovation in a systematic way
• Provide authentic leadership and teamwork experience
• Increase the sense of belonging to the Elms Community
• Integrate more experiential learning activities into the curriculum
Student Outcomes
• Outcome #1: Students will demonstrate critical and empathetic analysis of a problem linked to Catholic Social Teaching.
• Outcome #2: Students will be able to articulate the importance of developing a deep insight into customer needs, desires, and aspirations
• Outcome #3: Students will discover their personal leadership styles
• Outcome #4: Students will be able to apply specific tools and methodologies to enhance creativity and enable innovation