The Innovation Challenge is an annual competition where teams of students collaborate with each other to develop a creative and unique solution to one of today’s real-life, authentic problems facing society. Participants who compete in our team-based challenge work industry partner mentors who help guide their solution development. Teams who advance to the in-person competition in February earn the opportunity to compete for cash prizes provided by our generous sponsors.
The challenge offers students the opportunity to explore authentic problems within two main pathways:
- Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades
- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Solution Criteria
Teams should consider each of the following aspects when developing their solutions:
- Stakeholder perspectives
- Clearly defined solution
- Validity & timeliness
- Efficacy: evidence-based
- Unintentional new problems
- Potential for change (impact)
- Creativity
- Realism/feasibility
- Infrastructure longevity
- Financial longevity
Solution Development Process
NIU will provide webinar recordings of our content-specialist mentors who provide the background information necessary for students to get started investigating. Participating teams will be provided an industry partner mentor who can help them develop a written proposal detailing their solution. They can choose from these formats to explain their solution:
- Blog post
- Journal entry
- Infographic
- College/career essay
Submissions received from registered teams by the December deadline will be scored by a panel of judges. The top five team submissions will be invited to advance to the presentation portion of the competition in February.
Teams who advance and choose to participate in the in-person presentation held at the NIU campus in February will refine their written solution and develop a presentation detailing their ideas.
A panel of judges will score the revised written proposal as well as the team’s presentation. Both scores will be used to determine the first, second, and third place winners in each pathway. Cash prizes will be awarded and used by team members to support a school-approved use, for example field trip travel expenses.
Teams can choose from these formats when creating their solutions:
- Mock debate
- Public service announcement
- Newscast
- Sales pitch/shark tank
Important Dates
November 13, 2026
Team Registration Deadline
December 11, 2026
Written Solution Deadline
February 27, 2027
In-person Competition
“This challenge was enjoyable and fosters so much creativity with its the participants: I also loved all the feedback and advice that was brought to the table. It was extremely helpful and uplifting.” – 2026 Participating Student
Registered teams gain access to:
- Hands-on curricular resources that support each problem scenario.
- Mentorship from NIU and industry partners.
- Entry into the contest with monetary awards for our winners.
Check out all our FAQ section for answers to all your questions!
“Students were able to take ownership of their learning and practice revising and refining their proposed solutions. They also had to work collaboratively in teams. This process mimics what happens in STEAM-related careers.” – 2026 Participating Teacher
Brought to you by
Have more questions about the challenge?
Check out our FAQ page for answers!
