Change The World: The Systems Thinking Challenge is a student innovation program that empowers students to apply systems thinking tools to design impactful solutions for complex, real-world challenges. Through cross-disciplinary teamwork, milestone stipends, faculty mentorship, and structured training, students will progress from preliminary proposals to final presentations, culminating in a public showcase in May 2026.
This campuswide cross-collaboration opportunity will bring five faculty members together to mentor 10 teams of four students.
Deadline: October 31, 2025
Contact Jill Speece (jespeece@calpoly.edu) with any questions.
Program Requirements
- Mandatory Kickoff Meeting:
- All participants must attend the in-person kickoff on November 15, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – pizza lunch at 11 AM included
- Weekly Mentor Office Hour:
- One member from each team must attend the Thursday mentor office hour, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Attendance will be recorded
- Special Systems Thinking Training Sessions:
- All participants must attend faculty-led workshops covering:
- Iceberg Diagram
- Context Diagrams
- Causal Loop Diagrams
- Stakeholder Analysis
- Risk Assessment Tools
- All participants must attend faculty-led workshops covering:
Milestones & Student Stipends
Each student participant will receive a stipend for successfully completing each milestone:
- Preliminary Proposal Presentation (January 2026): $250
- Conceptual Proposal Presentation (March 2026): $350
- Final Proposal Presentation (April 2026): $400
Finals
- 4 teams selected to present at the Finals
- Teams ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention
- 1st Place Team: $5,000
- 2nd Place Team: $3,000
- 3rd Place Team: $1,500
- Honorable Mention: Recognition only
