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Aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this challenge encourages teens to tackle pressing social, economic, and environmental issues in their communities and beyond:

• Engage students in real-world problem-solving
• Foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking
• Connect with a global network of educators 
• Make a meaningful impact on the UN SDGs

Prize Information

• Winning teams and their solutions will be celebrated in the Pactful Community and the media. In addition, winning teams will receive certificates celebrating their success, plus:
  • The winning team of the ‘Best Overall Social Innovation’ will receive an award of $2,000. 
  • The winning team of the ‘Most Local Impact Award’ will receive an award of $500. 
  • The winning team of the ‘Most Global Impact Award’ will receive an award of $500. 
  • The winning team of the ‘Most Creative Innovation Award’ will receive an award of $500. 
  • The winning team of the ‘Advances Social Justice and Equity Award’ will receive an award of $500. 
• In addition, they are giving out $25 Storyteller Awards to teams who share their project and team progress on social media with the hashtag #JTIC25.
• Additional Awards:
  • They are excited to offer an additional, sponsored prize to this year’s challenge from DRS Daylight Solutions, the Photonics Innovation Award. Student teams who create a solution in the field of photonics are eligible to receive:
    • An award of $500 for a charity of their choice
    • Recognition from DRS Daylight Solutions who will share the news via their marketing channels
    • Certificates of their achievement
    • Mentoring from DRS Daylight Solutions to help take their solution to the next level upon request.
  • Pactful partners, Cloudcast Media have announced their sponsorship of an additional Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge award, the Most Impactful Messaging Award:
    • An award of $500 for a charity of their choice
    • Recognition from Cloudcast Media who will share the news via their marketing channels
    • Certificates of their achievement.

Eligibility Criteria

• The challenge is open to:
  • Educators & Schools: Teachers who want to bring real-world problem-solving into their classrooms.
  • Youth Program Leaders: Organizations and mentors guiding teens in leadership and innovation.
  • Teen Participants (Ages 13-18): Students ready to explore challenges, think creatively, and create impact-driven solutions.

For more information, visit Pactful.