POTENTIAL INTO IMPACT
From a student’s idea to someone else’s everyday life.
On March 2, 2024, eleven student organizations, selected from more than fifty applications, presented their work at Toronto’s Granite Club. Their initiatives addressed access to STEM and arts learning, legal literacy, live music for older people and environmental action.
Students shared their work with an audience and judges, alongside conversations with non-profit organizations, fellow founders and community partners. Four awards recognized student-led initiatives. Across the projects, knowledge had a purpose and people beyond the classroom to serve.
- Finalist student organizations
- 11
- Applications considered
- 50+
- Awards recognizing student work
- 4
- Prize pool
- CAD 5,000+
SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS
Share the work. Make its purpose clear.
01
Explain the work and why it matters
Students explained the problem they cared about, the work they had done and its purpose to an audience and judges.
02
Take the conversation beyond the stage
Conversations with non-profits and student organizations gave students a closer view of community needs, ongoing initiatives and ways to get involved.
03
Recognize different kinds of contribution
Four awards recognized work in STEM and arts learning, educational resources, legal literacy and mock trial.
COMMUNITY. EXPERTISE. OPPORTUNITY.
Shared concerns, different kinds of experience.
Selected participating organizations
Non-profits and community participants brought experience in health, education, wildlife care and public services, helping students learn more about the needs behind that work.
Youth diplomacy
Canada Model United Nations
Develops diplomatic thinking, negotiation and leadership through Model United Nations.
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Health & youth support
Epilepsy Toronto
Supports people living with epilepsy and their families through community programs and education.
Visit website ↗
Research & social impact
Global Research and Consulting · GTA
Connects student research and consulting skills with social-impact challenges.
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Sustainability education
Green Schools Green Future
Brings environmental awareness and practical skills into education for a more sustainable future.
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Wildlife care
Toronto Wildlife Centre
Combines wildlife rescue with public education to help urban communities coexist with nature.
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Community safety
Victim Services Toronto
Provides crisis support and education about relationships for young people.
Visit website ↗
Finance & investing
Target Alpha
Brings students together to explore finance, investing and business.
YOUTH-LED IMPACT
Learning materials. Legal literacy. Music that connects generations.
Meet the eleven student organizations and the ways they put their interests and abilities to use.
Changemaker Award · CAD 2,000
The New Gen
Provides free STEM and arts learning. The summit’s project profile reported a reach of more than 2,000 students across nine provinces.
Trailblazer Award · CAD 1,500
Material Bank
Supports access to learning through donations of stationery and art supplies, with more than 12,000 items donated.
Heart Award · CAD 1,000
The Justice Blueprint
Works with legal professionals to explain complex legal concepts and help people understand their rights.
Rising Star Award · CAD 500
Dominion Mock Trial
Connects students with legal experts through mock trial. The summit’s project profile reported participation by more than 1,500 student debaters.
Canadian Youth Investors Society (CYIS)
Builds financial literacy through student chapters, financial education and investing competitions.
Hope for Hearing
Visit website ↗Uses music, fundraising and education to support hearing health and challenge stigma.
The Green Society
Connects young environmental advocates through international writing activities and workshops.
Lasallian Youth Team
Visit website ↗Helps students grow from receiving guidance to supporting others through community service.
SimplyMed
Introduces students to medical knowledge and conversations about healthcare careers.
Oakville Youth Group
Organizes community activities to support local children and families.
Gen-Connect
Visit website ↗Brings young musicians into care homes to connect generations through live performance.
STUDENT SPEAKERS
Meet the students behind the work
Selected student speakers
Thomas Lin
Dominion Mock Trial
Ethan Bui
Evan Bui
Donna Sanatkar
Reuben Varghese
Brianna Nita
Daniel Xing
William Prato-Deriet
Samia Habis
Katherine Ma
Material Bank
Megan Kwan
Material Bank
Andy Lin
Oakville Youth Group
Jeremy Dong
Oakville Youth Group
Akshanaa Thillaivannan
SimplyMed
Jason Ye
SimplyMed
Meihuan Yu
The Canadian Young Investors Society
Jonathan Ye
The Canadian Young Investors Society
Tanvi Batchu
The Canadian Young Investors Society
Victor Xu
The Green Society
Dora Chen
The Justice Blueprint
Meilun Yu
The New Gen
Kate T.
The New Gen
Student organizations & initiatives
- The New Gen
- Material Bank
- The Justice Blueprint
- Dominion Mock Trial
- Canadian Youth Investors Society (CYIS)
- Hope for Hearing ↗
- The Green Society
- Lasallian Youth Team ↗
- SimplyMed
- Oakville Youth Group
- Gen-Connect ↗
More student organizations at the summit
A selection of organizations in attendance.
Culture & identity
Bridging Generations
Explores immigrant family identities through documentary and art.
Visit website ↗
Brain health
Cognitive Compass Connections
Supports Alzheimer’s-related research and community care.
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Youth well-being
Compassion & Co.
Supports youth well-being through creative projects and community conversations.
Business leadership
Canada FBLA
Connects students with business competitions and leadership opportunities.
Visit website ↗Women & media
Femizon
Uses magazines and media to explore women’s experiences and contributions.
Dance & youth development
Indigenous Dance Foundation
Supports Indigenous youth through dance, expression and connection.
Visit website ↗
Medicine & humanities
MedCreate
Connects the arts, humanities and medical learning.
Visit website ↗
Intergenerational music
Music for Seniors
Brings live performances by young musicians to older people in the community.
Women in STEM
She’s STEMpowered
Opens STEM learning opportunities through events and guidance.
Literacy & education
UNIFY Foundation
Supports children’s education through reading, art and community partnerships.
Visit website ↗
Menstrual equity
Unlimited Flow Organization
Improves access to period products and encourages open conversations about menstrual health.
Visit website ↗More photos from the summit · 17 photos
BEYOND THE SUMMIT
Student work, reaching a wider audience
Selected media coverage and partners
BUILD WHAT COMES NEXT
Help open the next door for young people.
Schools, non-profits, student organizations and industry partners all have something to bring. Share the questions your community is working on and the expertise you can offer. Together, we can give more young people opportunities to present their work, exchange ideas and contribute.
Talk about collaborating