Since 2021, more than 730 educators from schools and youth organizations across 77 countries have engaged with the Ciena Solutions Challenge, a global design challenge by Digital Promise and Ciena that invites middle and high school students globally to use Challenge Based Learning to design solutions that address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals within their communities. As part of the program, student teams can engage with subject matter experts at Ciena who volunteer to support students as they develop their solutions.
Volunteers at Ciena engage with students in three ways:
Jaydan, a grade 12 student-athlete at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, Georgia, created a podcast, “Health is Wealth,” to bring awareness to the mental health of athletes by sharing the stories of his peers and their experiences as student athletes and how it can take a toll on their mental health. “I started the project based on me being an athlete and going through some things mentally…I thought it would be great to bring in other athletes from the school to sit down and have a conversation with them and get their aspect on the game,” Jaydan said.
Torrie O’Gwin, Senior Consultant Global Business Operations at Ciena, reviewed Jaydan’s project and provided him with feedback in the Ciena Solutions Challenge. Jaydan’s podcast resonated with Torrie, who coaches youth sports outside of his role at Ciena. “With me being a coach, to see the interaction between Jaydan and how he was interviewing his teammates…they were calm and answering questions. From a coach aspect, I had to appreciate it,” Torrie said. The feedback that Torrie provided to Jaydan helped him think further about his idea.
“In my mind you always have to think about continuous improvement…let’s think about [the] bigger picture and long-term” Torrie said.
”When I got the feedback, it made me realize he understood where I was coming from and we were both on the same page of where we need to go next.” Jaydan said.
Ammar Ahmad, a software automation engineer at Ciena and a third-year judge of the Ciena Solutions Challenge, reviewed and provided feedback to several projects that were submitted to receive a Sustainability Award. “I have such fulfillment from helping students interested in STEM. I have attempted to impart wisdom when I can but I must admit I have gained many skills from the students myself, including many leadership qualities as well as skills in being a decent and fair interviewer. Judging has allowed me to be optimistic for the future. Knowing these projects have a positive impact allows me to ensure the next set of projects from students do the same thing. It ensures I take my responsibility as a champion seriously and impart what I can to lead young tenacious minds to more confidence and curiosity, they do the rest,” Ammar said.
Interested in receiving feedback on your student projects from industry professionals? Apply for funding through the Ciena Solutions Challenge Sustainability Awards and YouthMADE Amplify Grants.
Do your students have a powerful story to share their creativity and innovation? Connect with YouthMADE to share students’ stories and watch previous YouthMADE Festival student panels to get inspired.
