The 17th Canadian MindShare Learning Schools of the Future: Student AI + STEM Innovation Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in challenge-based learning while leveraging AI and STEM to drive meaningful change. This year’s challenge empowers students to develop innovative solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering the creation of SMART and sustainable communities.

This challenge calls upon teachers to submit students 2-3 minute student video projects showcasing solutions that tackle real-world problems within their schools or local communities. Through this initiative, students will gain hands-on experience in problem-solving, creativity, and innovation, all while applying AI and STEM to address global challenges. Good luck to all participants!

Quote from Robert Martellacci, “We are thrilled to launch the 17th edition of the Schools of the Future Student Innovation Challenge; it represents a true digital transformation and evolution, giving students the opportunity to be agents of change in solving wicked challenges to inspire SMART & sustainable communities, aligned with the UN SDGs.”

WIN awesome tech prizes for your school

So, what are you waiting for? This is your chance to make a difference and show the world what you’re capable of. We wish all participants the best of luck and can’t wait to see your amazing innovations!

Now entering its 17th year with over $1 million in prizes awarded to support student learning, The Canadian Schools of the Future Challenge was launched in an effort to inspire excellence in teaching, learning & innovation happening in K12 publicly funded schools across Canada.

Be inspired by the incredible video submissions from our Hall of Fame Winners – they truly represent the best of the best when it comes to creative problem-solving and innovation. But this isn’t just about recognizing outstanding achievements – our ultimate goal is to bring equitable tech tools, knowledge, and resources to all publicly funded schools, so that every student has the opportunity to excel. Quote from Melissa Dent, 2023 Schools of the Future Challenge winning educator,“We at Rosedale take immense pride in our Girls Who Game and their ability to explore the global sustainability goals and implement them citywide through Minecraft.Our students embody the optimism and potential of future generations, who will serve as the catalysts for the transformative change required in the 21st century.”

Our goal is to help Canada K12 students become ‘real world’ problem solvers and garner future-ready skills to prepare them for their life after K12 . The CSFI Challenge is a fun, project-based activity that encourages teachers to engage their students in developing the 7 C’s of C21 Canada. By nurturing skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity, we’re helping to create real-world problem solvers who are prepared to face any challenge that comes their way.

Research shows that technology-infused pedagogy has the power to transform teaching & learning. We can now create deeper and more authentic educational experiences through student-centered learning and the use of digital resources that have been made available to both teachers and students.

The design philosophy of this year’s innovation challenge aims to help Empowering students to solve real world problems through the power of AI & STEM

Challenge Rules, Format and Submission Details

Teachers, challenge your students to solve real-world problems within your school community, leveraging at least one UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for inspiration to challenge students to invent solutions.

Teacher-inspired and student-led submissions will include a 2-3 minute video demonstrating students’ innovative innovation.

17 UN Sustainable development goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals Watch video.

Concepts to consider including in your video

Student choice and voice

Global competencies – The “7Cs”

Equity, diversity and Accessibility

Well-being

Inquiry-based learning

Project/Problem-based learning

Design thinking of the classroom/school building, learning commons, or makerspace to enhance learning

Success Criteria for a great video:

Ensure you are in a well-lit area — let us see how you are using technology

Capture authentic learning in action involving your students

Speak loud and clear; we want to hear what you have to say

Submissions Deadline is midnight PST on Friday, May 16, 2025

How Will Prizes Be Awarded?

The official announcement of the three (3) 2025 grand prize national winners will be shared in the June edition of the MindShare Learning Report. Sponsors will ship prize packages directly to the winning schools. Prizes are intended for utilization at the respective winning schools and not considered the teacher’s personal winnings.

Judges

The judges are a MindShare Learning Report representative (1), MindShare Learning Board member (2) and last year’s contest winners (3), as well as special guest judges from Dell Technologies (4). The judging criteria rubrics, used by the judges, will be based on C21 Canada’s 7 C’s of 21st Century Learning. This rubric can be found below.

Standards

C21 Canada 7C’s Global Competencies (Watch inspirational video )

Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Critical Thinking

Collaboration

Communication

Character

Culture and Ethical Citizenship

Computer and Digital Technologies

Source: 7 C’s of 21st Century Learning Page 10

Rules

Open to full-time educators and students in K12 publicly funded Canadian K12 schools.

All videos must include the MindShare Learning logo and the name of the contest: Schools of the Future Student AI + STEM Innovation Challenge

Teachers making the contest submission to obtain the permission of parents or guardians of any minors (under the age of 18) that will be seen in the contest video

Teachers must seek approval from their school principal to participate.

Teacher-led student submissions (teachers and students) by a school are permitted and encouraged.

Submissions in video format must be uploaded to YouTube.

Video submissions can be no more than four (4) minutes in length and contain no copyrighted material.

All videos must include; the Mindshare Learning contest logo and the name of the contest.

Please seek appropriate approvals from video participants in the event your submission is successful and we wish to showcase your video.

Prizes must be accepted as awarded. There is no cash value.

Winners must be prepared to participate in virtual award ceremonies and agree to their photos being published.

*For further info please contact us at robert@mindsharelearning.com

 

Please incorporate the provided logo and Contest Badge into your video.

 

 

2024 National Winners!

2023 National Winners!

2022 National Winners!

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