challenge prompts
Challenges
During Summit, participants will be required to demonstrate design thinking advancements by creating a prototype solution to one of the following challenges. Here are this year’s Designathon challenges:
challenge option 1: Addressing Housing Insecurity
One of the problems in Los Angeles is homelessness, and university students are not an exception to being a target. We see lack of affordable housing, increasing tuition fees, and financial challenges from families being a few of the reasons behind this problem. Create a prototype that will address the problem of homelessness impacting university students in Los Angeles. Be prepared to present an innovative, unique, and accessible solution that can provide support, resources, and assistance to these students, allowing them to have a stable and secure living situation while pursuing their education. Your prototype should not only be scalable and sustainable, but also inclusive and accessible to a large number of university students in Los Angeles. Consider the diversity of backgrounds, circumstances, and resources of these students as you prepare your final submission.
challenge option 2: A Safer LA
Schools in Los Angeles are home to a diverse student population. With many opportunities to venture out within the college culture, safety must be kept in mind, especially for students who identify to be part of marginalized groups, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, people with disabilities, etc. Create a prototype that creates a solution promoting safety and inclusivity for all students within the Los Angeles communities, focusing on maximizing safety and minimizing violence and crime towards marginalized groups, promoting positive mental health awareness and wellness for people in these communities. Your prototype should not only be scalable and sustainable, but also inclusive and accessible to a large number of university students in Los Angeles. Consider the diversity of backgrounds, circumstances, and resources of these students as you prepare your final submission.
challenge option 3: Equitable Academic Environments (in partnership with UCLA Residential Life Learning Centers)
Our student populations include those with disabilities, low-income families, first-generation students, single parents, etc. Many student identities have different access to educational resources, many of which are filled with barriers.
The Learning Centers at UCLA are an incredible student resource that provides academic and creative support to students on the Hill, which aims to solve this issue. They offer a wide range of resources, including events, workshops, and contact information for various groups and organizations that can further aid students. Create a prototype that connects students to the various opportunities and resources provided by the Learning Centers, those of which being on and off campus students. Your prototype should not only be scalable and sustainable, but also inclusive and accessible to a large number of UCLA Students. Consider the numerous locations of the Learning Centers (De Neve, Sunset Village, Olympic, and Rieber coming soon), the various resources involved (gaming, video, photo, music, 3-D, art, design, and so much moe), and the diversity of background and circumstances of these students as you prepare your final submission.