2024 NGen Youth Challenge
Explore the dynamic field of health and safety within the manufacturing and food processing industries. Part competition, part showcase, the Youth Challenge introduces students to safety and technology-minded employers—with $5,100 in cash prizes!
With a focus on student viewpoints and new technology, the 2024 Youth Challenge aims to inspire you to think critically and creatively about the future of safety at work.
Date: Oct 9, 10:00AM - 2:30PM
Venue: Anvil Centre, New Westminster, BC
Cost: Free for Secondary + Post-Secondary Students
Enter a team for a chance to win—or just attend the Challenge on October 9th to see what it's all about. Don't miss out!
The Youth Challenge is free to participate and attend, and open to ALL secondary and post-secondary students in B.C.
If you need any assistance in the submission process, please contact Youth Culture for help at makeitsafe@safetyalliancebc.ca
Challenge Question
How can manufacturers integrate AI, machine learning, robotics, and other emerging technologies to enhance workplace safety, while also addressing sustainability and environmental concerns?
Alternatively, you can explore how adopting best practices in improving production processes can contribute to workplace health and safety without relying on new technologies.
Choose a theme for your team project—and see the Guidelines below for more details on the Challenge and how to submit your entry.
Youth Challenge Submission
Themes to Explore
1. Technological Integration in Safety
- AI and Machine Learning: Understand how AI and machine learning can predict potential hazards and prevent accidents before they happen. Consider how these technologies can be used to monitor worker behavior and identify unsafe practices in real-time.
- Robotics: Investigate the role of robotics in reducing human exposure to hazardous tasks. Think about how robots can perform repetitive or dangerous tasks, thereby minimizing the risk to human workers.
- Other Emerging Technologies: Explore other technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) devices that can provide real-time data on workplace conditions, wearable tech that monitors worker health, and virtual reality (VR) for safety training simulations.
2. Sustainability and Environment
- Sustainable Practices: Discuss how integrating new technologies can contribute to more sustainable manufacturing processes. Consider how reducing waste and optimizing energy use through technology can create safer and more efficient workplaces.
- Environmental Impact: Reflect on the environmental benefits of implementing advanced safety technologies. For instance, how can reducing accidents and spills through predictive technologies help protect the environment?
3. Implementation Challenges and Solutions
- Adoption and Training: Consider the challenges manufacturers might face in adopting these new technologies. How can companies train their workforce to effectively use these technologies? What are the best practices for ensuring a smooth transition?
- Cost and Accessibility: Discuss the financial aspects of integrating advanced technologies. How can smaller manufacturers afford these technologies? What solutions exist to make them more accessible?
- Regulatory Compliance: Look into how new technologies can help manufacturers comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations. What role can technology play in ensuring adherence to these standards?
4. Best Practices in Improving Production Processes
(Without Technology)
- Adopting Best Practices: Explore how manufacturers could adopt best practices in improving production processes to enhance workplace health and safety without relying on new technologies. Consider methods like employee training programs, ergonomic assessments, and efficient workflow designs. How can these practices contribute to a safer and healthier work environment?
5. Safety from a Youth Lens
(Secondary Students Only)
- Youth Perspectives: How can employers better integrate youth voice and opinion on safety? What are the youth saying and feeling on this topic?
- What are you/youth worried about?
Youth Challenge Submission
Guidelines
Team Structure
Teams can consist of up to 4 members.
Assignment
All teams must complete the submission form and choose either a
Poster (24"W x 36"H) or (18W" x 24H");
PowerPoint (no more than 5 slides), or a
Video - MP4 (no longer than 2 minutes) to accompany their presentations.
Deadline
Challenge entries must be received by Friday, September 27th, 2024 at 8pm PT
Showcase
Finalist entries will be showcased during Make It Safe Vancouver at the NGen Youth Challenge from 10am to 2pm on October 9th, 2024.
Prizes
Throughout the day, we will celebrate students who exemplify exceptional presentation skills, professional demeanor, and achievements beyond the official prize categories by awarding them with spontaneous prizes.
Finalists
Six (6) finalists will be chosen to present their projects on stage for a chance to win one of three team prizes. Stage presentations will be in the format of five-minute, timed lightning presentations.
Schedule highlights
Sessions
Oct 09 05:30PM–05:40PM UTC
https://events.ringcentral.com/cal/4OQOncFb8tVLw7kGDIN2iQcbsUTCHosted virtually on RingCentral Events (link in the description)2024-10-09T17:30Z2024-10-09T17:40ZWelcome from MSABC and NGen Youth arcVMTbPfzDtviwEomMj51030Welcome from MSABC and NGen Youth
Words of Wisdom for the Day + Opening Remarks
Kim Cooper, President of Youth Culture Inc.
Wayne Arondus, CEO, MSABC
Sessions
Oct 09 05:40PM–06:00PM UTC
https://events.ringcentral.com/cal/3E67jYHBUWmz8hpuJ9D0UGTHYUTCHosted virtually on RingCentral Events (link in the description)2024-10-09T17:40Z2024-10-09T18:00ZYouth PanelarcVMTbPfzDtviwEomMj51030Youth Panel
Moderator: Kim Cooper, Youth Culture, Inc
Sessions
Oct 09 06:00PM–06:10PM UTC
https://events.ringcentral.com/cal/0KvwVRTjgkckqlUSG1wFFlEOHUTCHosted virtually on RingCentral Events (link in the description)2024-10-09T18:00Z2024-10-09T18:10ZIndustry Lightning TalkarcVMTbPfzDtviwEomMj51030Industry Lightning Talk
CKF Inc. to share their story followed by WorkSafeBC's Young and New Worker Introduction
Sessions
Oct 09 06:10PM–06:30PM UTC
https://events.ringcentral.com/cal/1O7fhQ0cL0tKl9G3ocK1Z5VHtUTCHosted virtually on RingCentral Events (link in the description)2024-10-09T18:10Z2024-10-09T18:30ZStudent PanelarcVMTbPfzDtviwEomMj51030Student Panel
Moderator: Kim Cooper, Youth Culture, Inc
Break
Oct 09 06:30PM–07:30PM UTC
https://events.ringcentral.com/cal/abvPBtSV59utGHmEBD5Qmkr28UTCHosted virtually on RingCentral Events (link in the description)2024-10-09T18:30Z2024-10-09T19:30ZLunch (on own) and Project Walk-througharcVMTbPfzDtviwEomMj51030Lunch (on own) and Project Walk-through
Sessions
Oct 09 07:30PM–08:35PM UTC
https://events.ringcentral.com/cal/YPwufFdAXceiQSYPh0cLTyt6KUTCHosted virtually on RingCentral Events (link in the description)2024-10-09T19:30Z2024-10-09T20:35ZPresentations 1 - 6 arcVMTbPfzDtviwEomMj51030Presentations 1 - 6
Finalists will be announced live at the event - provided 5 minutes to present
Break
Oct 09 08:35PM–09:00PM UTC
https://events.ringcentral.com/cal/b5hgnALRGBzGouQZBsReQras6UTCHosted virtually on RingCentral Events (link in the description)2024-10-09T20:35Z2024-10-09T21:00ZBreak and JudgingarcVMTbPfzDtviwEomMj51030Break and Judging
Sessions
Oct 09 09:00PM–09:20PM UTC
https://events.ringcentral.com/cal/M87MPa2Onh4XpxEkoGbqg48aCUTCHosted virtually on RingCentral Events (link in the description)2024-10-09T21:00Z2024-10-09T21:20ZWinners and Closing arcVMTbPfzDtviwEomMj51030Winners and Closing
Winners announced and Closing remarks
Prizes
$5,100 worth of prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Team Prizes:
First Place: $2,000
Second Place: $1,000
Third Place: $500
Individual Prizes:
8 Spontaneous Prizes: $200 each
Youth Challenge Submission
Judging
Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
- Innovation and Creativity (30%): Originality of the ideas and how creatively they solve the problem.
- Practicality and Feasibility (25%): The practicality and feasibility of implementing the proposed solutions.
- Impact on Safety and Sustainability (25%): Potential impact on improving workplace safety and sustainability.
- Presentation and Clarity (20%): Clarity and effectiveness of the presentation.
Please note that students must attend the event in order to win a prize. If you have any questions, please email us at makeitsafe@safetyalliancebc.ca
Event Partners
