What is the Design Sprint? Current undergraduate students, graduate students, CGI U alumni, and educators were invited to attend the Design Sprint from March 8-12, 2021 to learn more about the Verizon & CGI U 2021 Social Innovation Challenge. Participants gained access to panel discussions, peer networking, expert-led office hours and an opportunity to improve the submission of their most competitive application by the April 1, 2021 deadline. All panels and presentations were recorded.
Panels and Presentations
Social Innovation Challenge Overview with Verizon, CGI U, and VentureWell
Come hear from experts at CGI U, Verizon, and VentureWell as they discuss the goals of the Challenge, eligibility requirements, opportunities for selected finalist teams—as well as a brief discussion of each of the three prompt areas. Additionally, come to this session to learn a few tips and tricks to on how to put together a compelling application!
Presented by:
Jordan Ashwood, Partnerships Manager, Clinton Global Initiative University
Katie Davis, Manager, Social Innovation, Verizon
Christina Tamer, Director of Venture Development, VentureWell
Watch the full recording here | See presentation slides here
Introduction to 5G and the Importance of Connectivity for Social Impact
This webinar provides students with an overview of the evolution of connectivity, the power of 5G and the opportunities leading edge technology can unleash for the future. The webinar also focuses on how technology can be and is already being leveraged to solve societal challenges, specifically in the areas of health equity, education and climate justice.
Presented by:
Joshua Ness, Senior Manager, Verizon 5G Labs
Watch the full recording here | See presentation slides here
Deep Dive: health Equity
The World Health Organization defines health inequity as “systemic differences in the health status of different population groups,” and that oftentimes, one’s gender, ethnicity, income level, employment status, geographic location and education contribute to disparities in health and access to healthcare. This webinar will explore the roots of these health disparities, the impact COVID-19 has had on health inequity, and the role technology can play in improving equitable access to healthcare and health information for underserved communities.
Moderated by:
Christian Thrasher, Senior Director of Substance Use Disorders & Recovery, Clinton Health Matters Initiative
Featuring:
Joel Bervell, M2 Medical Student & Medical Council President at Washington State University
Rachel Bervell, Resident Physician, Health Consultant at the University of California, San Francisco
Catherine Lester, Executive Director, Health Transformation, Verizon
DEEP DIVE: Climate Justice
Climate justice seeks to address inequities worsened by greenhouse gas emissions and the physical impacts of climate change, as well as inequities that come from the steps societies take to slow, stop, and adapt to climate change. This webinar will explore these themes and consider how leading-edge technology can play a role in creating more just outcomes in climate mitigation (slowing and stopping climate change) and adaptation (surviving and thriving as the climate changes).
Moderated by:
Dylan Siegler, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Verizon
Featuring:
Sanya Detweiler, Associate Director, Clinton Climate Initiative
CGI U '13 Donnel Baird, CEO and Founder, BlocPower
Chelsea Chee, Customer Care Lead, Native Renewables
DEEP DIVE: Immersive Education Technology
The World Bank Group, as one of the largest financiers of education worldwide, emphasizes that "the use of information and communication technologies in education can play a crucial role in providing new and innovative forms of support to teachers, students, and the learning process more broadly." This webinar will explore how leading-edge technology can play a key role in transforming the ways in which we teach and learn—ultimately leading to more equitable educational opportunities for learners from kindergarten through adulthood.
Featuring:
Phil Puthumana, EdTech Product Innovation Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Verizon
Jonathan Lubas, 5G Lab Director/EdTech Specialist, Verizon
Idris Brewster, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Movers & Shakers
Social Innovation: How to Be a Force for growth and force for good
The purpose of this webinar is to understand the idea of social innovation, the opportunity to use innovative, market-based approaches to solve societal challenges. Students will learn the steps required to move from idea to impact.
Presented by:
Katie Davis, Manager, Social Innovation, Verizon
Christina Tamer, Director of Venture Development, VentureWell
Watch the full recording here | See presentation slides here
Office Hours
Topic experts from the Verizon, VentureWell, and CGI U networks were available throughout the Design Sprint to answer specific questions regarding social innovation, accessibility, XR technology, and the intersection of technology and the societal challenges outlined in the three prompts. The series of Office Hours included:
| LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY SESSION #1 | ||
| LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY SESSION #2 | ||
| LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY SESSION #3 | ||
| LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY (XR) | ||
| SOCIAL INNOVATION | ||
| IMMERSIVE EDUCATION TECH | ||
| CLIMATE JUSTICE | ||
| HEALTH EQUITY | ||
| FEASIBILITY AND SCALABILITY | ||
| ACCESSIBILITY: DESIGNING FOR DISABILITY COMMUNITIES | ||
| DESIGNING WITH COMMUNITIES |
