UE Announces 2025 High School Changemaker Challenge

Evansville, Ind. (10/22/2024) — The University of Evansville (UE) is excited to announce the upcoming High School Changemaker Challenge, made possible by Toyota Indiana. Any high school sophomore, junior, or senior is invited to participate for a chance to win a four-year scholarship, with a top prize of full tuition to the University of Evansville.

UE believes everyone can be a changemaker, and positive change doesn't have to wait until college. The Changemaker Challenge, created by the University's Center for Innovation & Change, encourages the younger generation to identify and solve challenges in the world through innovation and creativity. Students will share their innovative ideas (products, services, or programs) in a pitch competition, and scholarships will be awarded to first through third place. Once they enroll at UE to continue their education, students can continue designing and implementing their ideas in the University's signature ChangeLab program to make a lasting difference.

Interested participants can attend an online information session on Friday, November 15. Video recordings describing students' ideas must be submitted by December 13, and the top 20 finalists will be announced on the UE website on December 20.

The UE High School Changemaker Challenge takes place over two days and includes the Top 20 round, networking, micro-ChangeLab experiences focused on creativity and innovation, and the Championship Round and Awards Celebration, a catered event celebrating all the Top 20 teams.

The top 20 competition will be held on UE's campus on January 24, 2025, after which the Top 6 teams will be selected to move on to the Championship Round. The Championship and Awards Celebration will take place on January 25, 2025.

The competition is open to any high school junior or senior, and they may compete individually or in teams of up to three. Home school and club entries (e.g. Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, 4-H) will also be eligible. To qualify for a scholarship, competitors must also attend the in-person competition on campus in Evansville, Indiana.

All ideas are welcome! Special bonus points may be available if your idea fits one of these four categories:

• Increase girls' access and exposure to science fields (e.g. a summer camp for girls interested in physics)
• Address or mitigate climate change (e.g. decreasing air pollution, rooftop gardens)
• Increase access to physical activity or health options (e.g. more dance classes or recess in schools, fitness trails, creative outdoor play options)
• Provide creative ideas to improve quality of life in Evansville's Promise Neighborhood

The winning students who choose UE as their college destination will receive the following scholarships*:

1st place: Full tuition

2nd place: $27,000 tuition

3rd place: $23,000 tuition

Students that participate will receive ongoing support from the UE Center for Innovation & Change, including online training and connections to faculty experts. To enter this year's competition or to learn more about the High School Changemaker Challenge, visit evansville.edu/cc-hs or email Andrew Carter, CIC Associate Director, at ac116@evansville.edu.