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The event seeks to foster stronger research, design, and presentation skills in aspiring innovators and to motivate them to solve important issues related to Maine’s—and their—future.

In addition to having a lot of fun, students will gain insights into the challenges facing Mainers during remote learning, how to develop innovations through peer collaboration to solve complex problems, and begin to develop the mindset of the social entrepreneur.

Pre-Conference

  • Students learn about the different challenges related to remote learning during the pandemic and their implications for Maine DECD’s 2030 Vision + Goals
  • Students can research interesting reports, design frameworks, innovation protocols, videos, and other information related to their challenge
     

Conference

  • Students enjoy a welcome address from Commissioner Makin + special guest CDC Director Dr. Shah
  • Students participate in a number of innovative synchronous Block Sessions and asynchronous activities to learn new skills and deepen knowledge
  • Students work in teams to develop a product or innovation that addresses their assigned challenge
  • Students groups "pitch" their product to conference participants, who vote for their favorite in each challenge category
  • Conference hosts announce and publicly recognize winners
  • Conference hosts provide direction on the $10,000 prototype challenge
  • Closing remarks by Senator King

Post-Conference

  • Each team of students that wish to continue on to Part II of the $10,000 Challenge is matched with a mentor
  • Students further develop their innovation or venture with their mentor and submit "a demo", “pitch deck”, and/or executive summary for their product
  • Challenge Grand Prize winners announced at special online awards ceremony, featuring UMaine innovation leaders
  • Challenge Grand Prize winners invited to continue developing their innovation through the CATES Center for Social Innovation Summer Incubator program in prep for a fall launch
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