University of Evansville Hosting the High School Changemaker Challenge

Students will compete for a chance at 4-year tuition scholarships

Evansville, IN (11/11/2021) — The University of Evansville (UE) is pleased to announce the upcoming High School Changemaker Challenge, sponsored by Toyota. Any high school junior or senior is invited to participate for a chance to win a four-year scholarship, with the top prize offering full tuition.

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 and Change, encourages the younger generation to identify and solve challenges in the world through innovation and creativity. Students will share their unique ideas (products, services, or programs) in the form of a 2-minute video, 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 to make a lasting difference.

Interested participants can attend an online information session on Thursday, November 18. Video recordings describing students' ideas must be submitted by December 8, and the top 20 finalists will be announced on the UE website on December 15. The final round will be held on UE's campus on January 25, 2022, where winners will be selected. To register for the information session and competition, please visit evansville.edu/cc-hs.

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 final round on campus in Evansville, Indiana. A separate Changemaker Challenge, beginning at a later date, will be virtual and geared towards a national and global audience that cannot compete in-person.

Competitors may be eligible to receive special prizes for forming ideas that:

• 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 Zone

Winning students who choose UE as their college destination will receive four-year scholarships to attend UE as listed below:

• 1st place: Full tuition
• 2nd place: $23,000 tuition
• 3rd place: $18,000 tuition

Students that participate will receive ongoing support from the UE Center for Innovation and Change, including online training and connections to faculty experts. To submit your video or learn more about the High School Changemaker Challenge, visit evansville.edu/cc-hs or email Brooksie Smith, the Center's associate director, at bs267@evansville.edu.