Up4 The Challenge

Up4 The Challenge is a not-for profit organization that works strategically with members of the community, educators, school boards, universities, community organizations, government, businesses, and other stakeholders to provide youth programming in Ontario that promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as a means to achieve positive social change in the community. Our programs provide youth with tools and improved confidence to address social and environmental challenges through a human-centred design approach. We specifically aim to reach youth who have been traditionally underrepresented in the STEM fields. At Up4 The Challenge, our mission is to advocate the power of STEM for social impact. We envision an inclusive STEM culture where interdisciplinary approaches are used for positive social change. By highlighting the potential for science and technology to better our communities, we anticipate an increase in the diversity of people, perspectives, and ideas in STEM, resulting in more welcoming and inclusive workplaces and more innovative and sustainable solutions to complex global challenges. Our approach is to focus on people, creativity, and collaboration. Participants use a hands-on, human-centred design process to bring about meaningful impact for people in our communities. By collaborating directly with organizations that have an intimate understanding of social and environmental issues, we enable youth to design solutions for problems that exist for real people. The result is an invaluable experience for both program participants and the wider community. Our program collaborators have included Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto – enabling flourishing cities of the future – and the Parkdale Food Centre in Ottawa – a charity that builds healthier neighbourhoods through good food.