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University of Evansville Hosting the High School Changemaker Challenge

Deadline for first round of competition is tomorrow, December 8

Evansville, IN (12/07/2021) — 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.

Video recordings describing students' ideas must be submitted by Wednesday, December 8. On December 15, the top 20 finalists will be announced on the UE website. The final round will be held on UE's campus on January 25, 2022, and scholarships will be presented to the winners. To submit your video, 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.

Students at the University of Evansville shape powerful and enduring change. UE is the first in Indiana to be designated as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, and its changemaking culture empowers students to improve the world around them as UE Changemakers. UE has an array of majors in business; engineering; the arts and sciences; and health science programs. UE has a diverse student body that represents 44 states and 52 countries. U.S. News & World Report recognizes UE as the #4 Best Regional University in the Midwest. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.

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