About the Game Changer Challenge
Think your school team has what it takes to solve a real-world wicked problem? Do you want to learn new skills and unlock powerful design thinking tools and processes, while working with leading industry thinkers and having a whole lot of fun along the way?
Harnessing your powers of collaboration and creativity
The Game Changer Challenge is back with more opportunities to be involved with six qualifying heats held across NSW!
We are looking for 72 teams (36 primary and 36 secondary) to compete in Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Sydney CBD, Parramatta, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga - battling it out in a one-day challenge, with the winners from each heat securing a place in the ultimate Game Changer Challenge final to be held in Parramatta from 4 to 6 August 2020.
The challenge
The Game Changer Challenge is a design thinking challenge that will elevate your skills of critical thinking, collaboration, empathy and creativity to new levels. The competition consists of three stages and centres around exploring tangible solutions for a real-world wicked problem.
All ability levels, from beginner to advanced are encouraged to apply.
#GCC2020 challenge question
'How might we use technology to bring everyone in our community closer together?'
The size and scope of where you take this real-world wicked problem is defined by your team's imagination!
1. Application round
Register your interest by Friday 20 March, start preparing your application and then you have until Thursday 9 April to apply, including a 60-second video explaining your game-changing ideas on 'How might we use technology to bring everyone in our community closer together?'
Be sure to include all your team members in the video. Remember, you will be judged on the quality of your idea and your enthusiasm, not the production of your video.
2. Qualifying heats
Teams will be selected to participate in a one-day intensive workshop where they will learn and apply the design thinking process to build on the video application entry ideas.
Guided by our expert facilitators and industry thinkers, the day will consist of working through the challenge playbook to create a tangible solution for the real-world wicked problem and then pitching those ideas to an expert panel. The winning teams from each heat will secure their place in the Game Changer Challenge final.
3. Game Changer Challenge final
Finalists will participate in a three-day challenge in Sydney to solve a real-world wicked problem. The event will launch with a two-day intensive design sprint workshop. On day three, teams will pitch their solutions to a panel of education and industry experts, the winners earning the coveted title of Game Changer Challenge Champions for 2020.
Learn more about our 2018 and 2019 challenges.
Learn more about preparing your application, for your chance to join the challenge and become a game-changer.
What is design thinking?
Design thinking is a human-centred approach to solving complex problems. Empathy and collaboration are at the heart of design thinking.
The five-step process starts by encouraging problem solvers to walk in the shoes of those experiencing the 'problem' to gain a deeper insight into the challenges and issues they face (empathy).
This knowledge is then used to develop a clear problem statement (define), work on solutions (ideate), turn these solutions into tangible products (prototype) and then see whether the solution will work (test).
Design thinking is not a linear process. With each stage, you will make new discoveries that will require you to rethink and redefine what you have already done.
Design thinking brings our head, heart and hands together to find innovative solutions to complex problems.
This process can be used over and over again, for small or complex problems.
Key dates
Term 1
Friday 20 March - Register your interest closes
Thursday 9 April - Applications close
Term 2
Friday 1 May - Teams announced for qualifying heats
Game Changer Challenge heats
Tuesday 26 May - Sydney CBD
Tuesday 2 June - Tamworth
Tuesday 9 June - Dubbo
Tuesday 16 June - Coffs Harbour
Friday 19 June - Sydney (Parramatta)
Monday 22 June - Wagga Wagga
Term 3
Game Changer Challenge final
Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 August - Sydney (Parramatta)
The great challenges of the future will be solved by today's students. To flourish in this world, they will need to be deep thinkers, critical and reflective, empathetic and creative. The Game Changer Challenge aims to highlight and develop these future-focused skills.
