ED-Challenge

Manifest

We believe in learning, in new ways: we are innovative.

We are young, we understand young people, and we want to create a school in the cloud.

We want to challenge children and young people to manage knowledge

to express their voices.

We want to press the buttons: I like and share

in the new ideas and global solutions needed by the generations of today.

Mission
To empower young Venezuelans by providing tools and methodologies to encourage knowledge and the creation of sustainable solutions through educational challenges that stimulate innovation and creativity. 

Vision

To be the most replicable model at the national level, autonomous, supported for citizen institutions that allow the creation of spaces for learning and new forms of knowledge.

Objectives

1. To create a critical thinking movement in Venezuelan society mainly in teenagers between 12-16 years old. 

2. To involve local businesses through a 1-1 model where internal employees and different students of nearby localities will benefit from the methodology. 

3. To empower people using critical thinking to activate their capacity to speak their voice and connect with their local governments for social impact. 

We are: 

An educational challenge that uses SOLE methodology with crowd-accelerated innovation, motivating people to answer BIG QUESTIONS using technology. 

Our main goal is to prepare young people for the jobs of the future and active professionals for the challenges of today's jobs. Using a 1-1 model we involved all generations in a virtuous cycle. 

Co-founder and head of communications for the educational challenge that applies SOLE methodology with crowd-accelerated knowledge.

As head of communications, I have developed and implemented strategies, attended international events, and lead partnerships and I have been building a digital community for educational opportunities for the jobs of tomorrow.

As Co-Founder, I have developed the methodology that includes the established SOLE and School in the Cloud with the technological twist of crow-accelerated innovation. 

I follow the methodology from start to end, producing final reports for companies, organizations, and students. 

As a professional who has continued her development through a set of networks, and development programs, I am certain that being part of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint will provide me with further development. Such improvement will reflect in the application of our project at different levels. This will be a retroactive experience, where I, as Team Lead will bring a powerful and fresh insight to the sprint. 

My team is integrated by mind-liked entrepreneurs with different backgrounds and rich experiences that will enhance and feed the activity with diverse points of view and experiences.

As preachers of open-source philosophy, we strongly believe in building communities and sharing knowledge to produce innovation and creativity. I as an expert in communications, Maria Cordova as a community builder, Samuel as a Data scientist, and Roderich and Gabriel with real-life insight into current challenges will be able to actually provide insightful participation, committed through the mission of both organizations. 

ED-Challenge is an educational challenge, which inspires young people in a different way, values, creativity, and citizen empowerment

Young Venezuelans do not understand the concept of democracy and the importance of civic participation. Political turmoil has neglected their access to education and encouragement. Critical thinking is becoming a binding capacity to face the challenges of today and the future, but younger generations need to find adequate training to acquire it. As young teenagers get access to more social media and digital tools without company, they have less probability of developing self-learning skills and end up becoming addicted to them. This problem increases in a country where access to these tools is scarce, and without proper media outlets, the newer generations have no access to the current international news.  

The proposed project aims to provide critical thinking methodology to young people (Between 14 and 17) high school students using the methodology ED-Challenge. We will increase the engagement and impact using gamified SOLE methodology with crowd-accelerated innovation to introduce concepts of diversity and inclusion to foster networks to amplify their voice participation in economic, political, social, and civic life.

SOLE was developed by Sugata Mitra, a TED Prize winner in 2013 and founder of the School in the Cloud. The Self-Organized Learning Environment is a methodology that relies on natural curiosity to start the learning progress in self-paced capacities. Participants are given a big question that they must answer using their own tools, especially online connectivity and devices. ED-Challenge consists in challenging to create a video with their answer and creating a second question that will become the next for another group. This social impact-driven venture was Concurso Ideas 2017 finalist and delegate to the UNESCO MGIEP TECH conference in Vizag, India.

Our program aims to 350 youths in different San Antonio de Los Altos schools during 2023. These students will be between 14-17 years and will receive boot camps, online sessions, and two ED-Challenge before engaging in a multi-school competition called: the ED-Challenge Innovation Cup. Students will be submerged in an innovative environment and engaged with several international experts that will empower them with important conversations about inclusion in economic, political, social, and civic life. 

Participants will be finally involved in an online platform to keep in touch and encouraged to continue the conversation on important subjects related to their small town and modern challenges as a generation. Becoming the first cohort of voice-empowered young people in the small town.

Foundational Research:

1. Literature Reviews: SOLE methodology has been largely studied and continues to be studied. There are several research papers and implementations through the School in the Cloud. Nevertheless, from our side conducting a comprehensive review of existing literature on democracy education, civic participation, critical thinking, and educational challenges in the country is a limited action. Through the implementation of the project, we will gain more useful information that we hope can be published to further develop research on these subjects. 

Formative Research:

1. Usability Studies: During our implementations, we have collected data before and after the activity that has enabled us to have use cases. 
2. Feasibility Studies: We had the opportunity of working with a specific locality and focused on the effect the activity had on them. After analyzing the data we were able to adjust and continue the perfecting of the project. 

While there is a necessity of answering questions, there is no one to research and advocating for answers. The methodology is well received and needs further implementation to become viral, which is the most important stage of the project. 

While we continue to go further in the run of becoming more technology-native, students are stepping back in interaction, community building, effective communication, and critical thinking. 

When a video or challenge is created the effect seems to be progressive, enlarging the reach and sparking change in students. 

We will need to continue implementations to confirm our hypothesis 

Our organization recognizes the need to strengthen the evidence base of our solution to further demonstrate its effectiveness in empowering young Venezuelans, promoting critical thinking, and fostering civic participation. While we have conducted research studies to date, we understand that building a robust evidence base is crucial for ensuring the credibility and scalability of our project.

Firstly, by strengthening the evidence base, we can enhance the confidence of our stakeholders, including potential funders, partner organizations, and policymakers. A solid evidence base will provide them with the assurance that our solution is grounded in empirical research and has a tangible impact on the target audience. This, in turn, can help us secure additional funding, forge strategic partnerships, and garner support for expanding our project's reach.

Furthermore, strengthening the evidence base will enable us to refine and improve our educational challenges and methodologies. By conducting rigorous research, we can identify areas of strength and areas that require further development. This iterative approach will allow us to continuously enhance the effectiveness of our solution, ensuring that it remains responsive to the evolving needs of young Venezuelans.

Additionally, a robust evidence base will contribute to the broader field of democracy education and civic participation. By sharing our research findings and insights, we can contribute valuable knowledge and best practices that can inform the work of other organizations, researchers, and policymakers in the field. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of shared learning and collective impact, ultimately leading to more effective and sustainable solutions for empowering youth in democratic processes.

To strengthen the evidence base of our solution, we will prioritize several key actions. First, we will expand the scope and scale of our research studies. This includes conducting larger sample size studies, utilizing control groups, and employing more rigorous research designs, such as randomized controlled trials. These robust methodologies will provide stronger evidence of the causal impact of our solution.

Additionally, we will actively seek external evaluations and partnerships with research institutions and experts in the field. Collaborating with external researchers will bring fresh perspectives and independent validation of our project's effectiveness. Their expertise will contribute to the credibility and validity of our findings, further strengthening the evidence base.

Moreover, we will invest in long-term monitoring and evaluation systems to track the progress and outcomes of our participants over time. This longitudinal approach will provide comprehensive data on the sustained impact of our solution, enabling us to assess its long-term effectiveness and make informed adjustments as necessary.

By prioritizing the need to strengthen our evidence base, we are committed to building a solid foundation for our solution and ensuring its long-term success. We recognize that rigorous research and evaluation are essential to validate our impact, inform continuous improvement, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of democracy education and civic participation.

1. To what extent does participation in the LEAP Project's educational challenges contribute to an increase in skills among young Venezuelans?
2. How does the 1-1 mentoring model implemented by the LEAP Project impact the transfer of knowledge, skills, and civic engagement from local businesses to young participants?

1. Educational Challenge Modules: Develop a series of well-designed and engaging educational challenge modules that cover various topics related to democracy, civic participation, critical thinking, and global issues. These modules should be comprehensive, interactive, and aligned with the targeted age group (12-16 years old). Each module should include clear learning objectives, instructional materials, and assessment tools.

2. Mentoring Framework: Design a comprehensive mentoring framework for the 1-1 model, outlining the roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees. Develop guidelines, training materials, and resources to support effective mentorship relationships. This framework should foster meaningful interactions, knowledge transfer, and personal growth for both mentors and mentees.

3. Evaluation and Assessment Tools: Develop evaluation and assessment tools to measure the impact and effectiveness of the LEAP Project and ED-challenge. This includes pre-and post-assessments to gauge changes in critical thinking skills, surveys to capture participants' feedback and satisfaction, and qualitative methods to gather in-depth insights into participants' experiences. These tools should be reliable, valid, and culturally appropriate.
   

4. Collaboration and Networking Opportunities: Facilitate opportunities for participants to collaborate, network, and share their solutions with their peers and local communities. Organize virtual events, workshops, and forums where participants can present their projects, receive feedback, and connect with like-minded individuals. Foster a sense of community and empower participants to take their ideas beyond the LEAP Project.

These outputs will contribute to the project's long-term goals of empowering young Venezuelans, transforming education, and fostering a culture of democratic values and civic engagement.

As the ED-Challenge organization, we are committed to putting the desired outputs of the LEAP Project into action through a well-planned and systematic approach. Here's how we will implement and utilize these outputs:

Educational Challenge Modules:

• Our team of experienced educators and subject matter experts will collaborate to design and develop the educational challenge modules. We will conduct extensive research, gather relevant resources, and create engaging content that aligns with the learning objectives and target age group.
• The modules will be uploaded and organized on our virtual learning platform, ensuring easy access for participants. We will continuously update and refine the modules based on participant feedback and emerging educational trends.

Mentoring Framework:

• We will design a comprehensive mentoring framework that outlines the responsibilities and expectations of mentors and mentees. The framework will be developed in consultation with experts in mentoring and youth development.
• We will recruit and train a pool of qualified mentors who possess the necessary expertise and commitment to support the participants. Mentorship training sessions will be conducted to equip mentors with the skills to effectively guide and motivate the mentees.
• The mentoring framework will be implemented through regular check-ins, virtual meetings, and ongoing support to ensure meaningful mentor-mentee relationships are established.

Evaluation and Assessment Tools:

• We will develop a comprehensive evaluation and assessment framework that includes pre- and post-assessments, surveys, and qualitative methods. These tools will be designed to measure the impact of the LEAP Project on critical thinking skills, civic engagement, and participant satisfaction.
• Data collection will be conducted at multiple points throughout the project, ensuring the collection of robust and reliable data. Our team of researchers and evaluators will analyze the data to generate insights and identify areas for improvement.

Collaboration and Networking Opportunities:

• We will organize virtual events, workshops, and networking sessions to foster collaboration and engagement among participants. These opportunities will allow participants to showcase their projects, receive feedback, and connect with their peers.
• Online forums and discussion boards will be facilitated to encourage ongoing collaboration and knowledge sharing. Mentors, local businesses, and guest speakers will also be invited to provide additional support and expertise.

By putting these outputs into action, our organization will create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that empowers young Venezuelans, promotes critical thinking, and encourages civic participation. Through the implementation of the educational challenge modules, mentoring framework, robust technology infrastructure, and comprehensive evaluation tools, we will ensure that the LEAP Project has a tangible impact on the participants and contributes to their long-term personal and professional development.

Here are our desired outcomes:

Short-term Outcomes:

1. Increased Participation: We aim to attract a significant number of young Venezuelans to participate in the LEAP Project, engaging them in educational challenges, critical thinking exercises, and civic participation activities. Our goal is to have a diverse cohort of participants who actively contribute their ideas, solutions, and perspectives.

2. Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills: Through the educational challenges and mentoring relationships, we strive to enhance the critical thinking skills of the participants. We aim to foster their ability to analyze complex problems, think creatively, evaluate information critically, and make informed decisions. These skills will empower them to tackle challenges and contribute to their personal growth.

3. Empowered Civic Engagement: We seek to empower the participants with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to engage in civic issues within their communities. We aspire for them to develop a sense of agency, understanding the importance of their voices and actions in shaping their local and national environments. We anticipate participants actively initiating conversations, advocating for positive change, and collaborating with local stakeholders.

4. Established Mentoring Relationships: The short-term outcome also includes the establishment of strong and meaningful mentoring relationships between participants and mentors from local businesses. We aim for these relationships to provide guidance, support, and valuable insights to participants, fostering their professional and personal development.

Long-term Outcomes:

1. Sustainable Impact: Our overarching long-term outcome is to create sustainable impact by nurturing a culture of critical thinking, innovation, and civic engagement among young Venezuelans. We envision the LEAP Project serving as a catalyst for long-term positive change, where participants become active contributors to their communities and advocates for democratic values.

2. Expanded Reach: We aspire to expand the reach of the LEAP Project beyond the initial 12-week sprint. Our long-term outcome is to scale the project and reach a larger number of young Venezuelans, including those in remote and underserved areas. This expansion will ensure broader access to quality education, critical thinking skills development, and opportunities for civic engagement.

3. Strong Network and Partnerships: Through the LEAP Project, we aim to establish a strong network of participants, mentors, local businesses, and partnering organizations. This network will create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and ongoing support. We envision long-term partnerships that sustain the project, foster innovation, and amplify its impact.

4. Empowered Youth Leaders: Ultimately, our long-term outcome is to develop a generation of empowered youth leaders who are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mindset to drive positive change in their communities and society at large. We envision participants becoming active agents of social transformation, taking on leadership roles, and influencing policies and decisions that shape the future of Venezuela.

By achieving these short-term and long-term outcomes, the LEAP Project will not only benefit individual participants but also contribute to the advancement of democratic values, critical thinking, and civic engagement in Venezuela. It will create a positive ripple effect, inspiring and empowering future generations to actively participate in shaping a democratic and prosperous nation.