How can all young learners have access to quality, safe, and equitable learning environments?

The pandemic has upended entire education systems, with an estimated 1.5 billion primary and secondary learners’ (ages 5-18) education disrupted. Some schools have shifted to distance learning, while others shut down completely. Many have had limited operations for months. These disruptions exacerbate pre-existing education inequalities along wealth, gender, ethnicity, linguistic, and geographical lines. Primary and secondary school students have shown incredible resilience in the face of these challenges, yet if not addressed, unfinished learning could represent a $10 trillion loss in lifetime earnings.

Even before the Covid-19 crisis, learning environments—whether physical classrooms or remote and hybrid settings—were in need of significant reimagining to support young learners to develop the skills and competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century. Proven interventions, including early career exploration and self-directed, experiential, and social-emotional learning show promise, but will need to be adapted and scaled to benefit the most underserved and to ensure equality of opportunity for all. 

The MIT Solve community is looking for technology-based solutions that ensure all primary and secondary school learners have access to quality, safe, and equitable learning environments. To that end, Solve seeks solutions that:

• Increase the engagement of learners in remote, hybrid, and physical environments, including strategies and tools for parental support, peer interaction, and guided independent work.

• Enable access to quality learning experiences in low-connectivity settings—including imaginative play, collaborative projects, and hands-on experiments.

• Ensure the physical safety and mental health of learners—for example, through tools for crisis support, reporting violence, and mitigating cyberbullying.

• Support teachers to adapt their pedagogy, facilitate personalized instruction, and communicate with students and their families in remote and hybrid settings.

Solver Funding 

All solutions selected for Solve’s five current Global Challenges will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve. Solver teams will be selected by a panel of cross-sector judges.

The ASA Prize for Equitable Education

The ASA Prize for Equitable Education will award a prize for digital solutions tailored to U.S.-based primary and secondary classrooms that provide career exploration or experimentation. Solutions that are embedded as part of core curriculum, utilize project based learning, ensure equitable access, and have an emphasis on teacher professional development are preferred. American Student Assistance® (ASA) is committed to helping students know themselves, know their options, and make informed decisions to achieve their education and career goals. Up to $250,000 will be granted to or invested in solutions from the Equitable Classrooms Challenge, the Digital Inclusion Challenge, the Antiracist Technology in the US Challenge, and/or Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion

The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion is open to solutions that advance the economic, financial, and political inclusion of refugees. The prize is funded by Andan Foundation, a Swiss non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting solutions that promote refugee resilience, self-reliance and integration. Up to $100,000 will be granted to up to four eligible Solver teams from across any of Solve’s Global Challenges and the Community Indigenous Fellowship.

The GM Prize

The GM Prize is open to solutions that help create smart, safe, and sustainable communities around the world. The Prize is funded by General Motors, which is working toward becoming the most inclusive company in the world, and dedicated to making STEM education more accessible and equitable. Up to $150,000 will be granted to up to six recipients from the Antiracist Technology in the US, Equitable Classrooms, and Resilient Ecosystems Challenges.

Innovation for Women Prize

Solutions that use innovative technology to improve quality of life for women and girls are eligible for the Innovation for Women Prize. This prize is funded by the Vodafone Americas Foundation, which supports technology-focused projects that advance the needs of women and girls, and that promote a world where women’s voices can be celebrated. Up to $75,000 will be granted across up to three Solver teams from any of Solve’s current Global Challenges.

The AI For Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity, as well as to those planning to utilize these technologies to amplify their impact. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $200,000 in funding will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of Solve’s Global Challenges.

The GSR Prize

GSR will award a prize to solutions that use an innovative and sustainable approach to tackling the most pressing issues of their local communities. As a leading cryptocurrency trading firm, GSR seeks to support education (in particular STEM), alleviate poverty, and contribute to a sustainable world, with an emphasis on blockchain or innovative technology-powered solutions. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across three solutions from the Digital Inclusion, Equitable Classrooms, or Resilient Ecosystems Challenges.