About the Game Changer Challenge
More than 600 teams have registered to take part in this year's Game Changer Challenge.
What is the Game Changer Challenge?
Entering its fourth year, the design thinking challenge is open to all 2,200+ public schools across the state and centres on exploring solutions for a real-world, wicked problem.
This year we introduced a dual-stream, student-led, step-by-step challenge where all teams start the challenge together by working through a design thinking resource called the playbook.
Registrations for this year's Game Changer Challenge have now closed and our judging panel is selecting the best team video pitches to take part in one of 8 virtual heats held across NSW.
Our wicked problem
Humans have unlimited needs, but the planet has limited capacity to satisfy them.
Challenge streams
This year we are offering two streams for our teams to choose from.
Create
Advocate
Teams who select the Advocate stream will undertake action research, creating social change through Implementation Thinking and persuading others by answering: "How might we rethink the use of single-use plastics in our community?"
The challenge
1. Registrations are closed for 2021
Thank you to the more than 600 teams who registered for this year's challenge.
2. Virtual heats
Teams with the best pitch ideas will be selected to compete in a one-day intensive virtual workshop where they will learn and apply the processes they need to undertake in solving the wicked problem.
A total of 96 teams will compete across 8 virtual heats with each team pitching their ideas live to our judging panel to determine who will participate in the ultimate challenge final.
3. Ultimate challenge final
What is design thinking?
Design thinking is a human-centred approach to solving complex problems. Empathy and collaboration are at the heart of design thinking.
The five-step process starts by encouraging problem solvers to walk in the shoes of those experiencing the 'problem' to gain a deeper insight into the challenges and issues they face (empathy).
This knowledge is then used to develop a clear problem statement (define), work on solutions (ideate), turn these solutions into tangible products (prototype) and then see whether the solution will work (test).
Design thinking is not a linear process. With each stage you make new discoveries that require you to rethink and redefine what you have already done.
Design thinking brings our head, heart and hands together to find innovative solutions to complex problems.
This process can be used over and over again, for small or complex problems.
Video - Game Changer Challenge 2021 promo
Duration: 0:30
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Get ready, Game Changer Challenge 2021 has arrived!
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The challenge is reinvented
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Game Changer Challenge 2021
Student group in unison
Game Changing idea!
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Game Changer is a design thinking challenge open to all NSW public schools.
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Are you a Game Changer …or a Social Changemaker?
You choose!
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Join the challenge!
education.nsw.gov.au/game-changer-challenge
NSW Government logo
State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2021
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Key dates
| Week | Description |
|---|---|
| Week 3, Term 2 |
3 May Challenge opens! Teams can start working through the challenge playbook |
| Week 8, Term 2 |
Friday 11 June Video applications deadline |
| Week 1, Term 3 | Monday 12 July Virtual Heats teams announced |
| Term 4 | Virtual heat 1 - Rural North Virtual heat 2 - Rural South & West Virtual heat 3 - Regional North & West |
| Term 4 | Virtual heat 4 - Regional North Virtual heat 5 - Regional South Virtual heat 6 - Metro North |
| Term 4 | Virtual heat 7 - Metro South & West Virtual heat 8 - Metro South |
| Term 4 |
Teams compete in the ultimate challenge final held at UTS Aerial Centre, Sydney |
Contact us
Do you have a specific question or need more detail about this year’s challenge? Send an email to GCC@det.nsw.edu.au