What is the Innovate Wellness Challenge? 

Student Health and Wellness, in partnership with the UConn Wellness Coalition and OPIM Innovate, brings together students, staff, and faculty from across campus to work towards one vision: UConn as a thriving, connected campus community that supports the full potential of every student. The Innovate Wellness Challenge is a case competition that encourages students from diverse backgrounds, majors, and interests to come together to solve some of the most pertinent health and wellness issues on campus through the Design Thinking Process. 

What is the Design Thinking Process? 

Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to solving challenges. One of the most common methodologies to design thinking is the 5-phase model. Empathize. Define. Ideate. Prototype. Test. This model will be used to facilitate idea development throughout the Innovate Wellness Challenge.  

Who Can Participate:  

Undergraduate Storrs-Main Campus UConn students can join the challenge by registering as a team of 3 or by registering as an individual who will be placed on a team with two other students. Students who do not wish to compete can support the challenge by attending the poster session and voting on student ideas. All students are welcome to participate in the Innovate Wellness Challenge Workshops.  

When Does the Challenge Occur?  

The Innovate Wellness Challenge takes place once per academic year. Please see the detailed schedule of events outlined below for more information and specific dates.

How Does the Challenge Work:  

With support from staff and faculty, teams will create, prototype, and pitch their unique ideas to address a specific student health issue. There are two competition rounds, workshops, and mentoring sessions.  

What Happens in the Competition Rounds? 

Round 1 is a poster presentation. Teams will create a poster using a template provided. These posters will be displayed and presented. Each team will also present a 5-minute pitch of their idea to a panel of student judges. Students and judges will vote on each pitch, and the top teams will move on to the finals. The top teams will select which idea from the poster presentations that they want to focus on and then work with staff and faculty to create a prototype. The teams will work with staff and faculty to create a plan for testing their prototype. Depending on feasibility and quality of idea, the top team or more than one team may have the opportunity to work with staff to implement their idea. 

What Will be Covered in the Workshops and Mentoring Sessions?  

There are a series of workshops that are open to all students who are interested in learning more about various components of innovation from budgeting to presentation skills. Innovate Wellness Challenge Teams should attend these workshops. After the workshop, Innovate Wellness Challenge Teams will work with faculty, staff, and peers on developing and refining their ideas.  

What is the Targeted Health Issue? 

This year’s Innovate Wellness Challenge asks students to think and develop how we can come together and holistically address the following question: How can UConn improve the health of both students and the environment in the midst of the climate crisis? 

Why Should I Compete?  

Students are the experts of their experiences and are in the best position to create and develop the interventions that will work best to support the health and wellbeing for themselves and their peers. Each team will have the opportunity to build their skills, resumé, work with students, staff, and faculty, and have the chance to implement solutions. 

Is there a Prize? 

Yes! The winning team will receive $1500 in scholarships along with a chance to secure funding to pilot your idea! 

What are Examples of Previous Innovate Wellness Challenge Winners? 

Previous winners include: The Holistic Huskies podcast & Wellness Points.