Ottawa, ON, — Water Canada is excited to announce its partnership with Ingenium for the 2024 Innovation Challenge, aimed at harnessing the ingenuity of young Canadians to address the critical issue of clean water and sanitation. This collaboration underscores both organizations’ commitment to fostering innovative solutions that contribute to positive societal impact.
Building on the success of the first edition, the 2024 Innovation Challenge, with the support of the Ingenium Foundation, will engage young adults nationwide in a hackathon, both in-person and online, to develop digital prototypes promoting awareness among youth aged 9-12 about the impact of their actions on wastewater and sanitation systems. The 72-hour event from May 3-5 will challenge participants to create a digital prototype that will educate and inspire Canadian youth on the topic of clean water and sanitation. This year young adults aged 18-35 can register to participate in-person at the Ingenium Centre in Ottawa or online.
Over the course of the weekend, teams will draw inspiration from the Ingenium collection, a panel discussion, and industry professionals who will be onsite to provide mentorship. The winning team will be awarded a financial prize in addition to a grant, in-kind funding, and mentorship guidance for the development of their proof-of-concept prototype into a marketable product for use by the general public.
Water Canada, as the only national magazine dedicated to water quality and stewardship in Canada, is excited to play a pivotal role in the Innovation Challenge. Corinne Lynds will serve as the Master of Ceremonies, guiding participants through the event’s proceedings. Additionally, Water Canada will host a student networking event called Downstream, designed to connect early-career professionals with seasoned experts in the water sector. Downstream is generously supported by the Ontario Sewer & Watermain Contractors’ Association and Students On Ice Foundation.
“We were very excited when Ingenium reached out to us about this project,” said Corinne Lynds, Vice President, Content & Partnerships at Actual Media (the parent company of Water Canada). “The Innovation Challenge aligns perfectly with Water Canada’s mission to foster connections and drive innovation within the water sector. It also allows us to bring Downstream back to the nation’s capital both in-person and online for the very first time.”
In a notable addition this year, the public will have the opportunity to engage with the event online, including live streaming of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and the final pitching round. Participants based in Ottawa will compete at the state-of-the-art Digital Innovation Lab within the Ingenium Centre, while those from other regions will participate remotely.
For more information about the 2024 Innovation Challenge, visit https://ingeniumcanada.org/innovation-challenge
For more information about Downstream, visit
https://watersummit.ca/downstream/
About Water Canada
Water Canada is the only national magazine dedicated to water quality and stewardship in Canada. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Water Canada provides comprehensive coverage of the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities within the water industry.
About Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation
Ingenium oversees three national museums of science and innovation in Ottawa — the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. Its lngenium Centre houses an exceptional collection of artifacts, a research institute, and a digital innovation lab. Its museums, digital content, outreach programs, travelling exhibitions, and collaborative spaces help to educate, entertain, and engage audiences across Canada and around the world. Its mandate is to bring science literacy and inspiration to people in Canada of all ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds.
