Sustainable Solutions: New Camp Centers Tech In Addressing Global Challenges

The camp is the brainchild of Prep for Prep’s CEO Ruth Jurgensen. “We had the opportunity to offer entrepreneurship development, which I believe is a path forward in efforts to close the racial wealth gap. We have seen many companies and organizations supporting older students in this endeavor, but in my experience in education, I know the younger, the better.”

During the five-week program, participants identified entrepreneurial opportunities that could lead to socioeconomic and environmental impact, change, and empowerment. They also learned about the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students engaged with a curriculum developed by Cambio Labs that allowed them to practice empathy, ideation, opportunity identification, prototyping, and presentation skills.

The camp began with activities and challenges, such as building cantilever structures out of toothpicks and learning how to map an everyday system, in an effort to set the framework for how students should be designing and thinking about their problems. Students had an opportunity to hear from experts in the entrepreneurship space, including Prep Trustee Trevor Price, Founder of Oxeon Partners and Co-Founder of Town Hall Ventures, and several Prep alumni who have started their own businesses. Visits to companies and organizations such as Silver Lake, First Republic, and the RETI Center gave students the opportunity to meet with professionals in the field.

Applying what they learned in their first week, students participated in three week-long design sprints, each one tackling an SDG. The product of each sprint? A prototype or solution with the potential to grow into a real venture that could address some of the world’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental issues. In a travel-themed final presentation, students shared their solutions to challenges in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Puerto Rico, China, and Tibet.

“The camp took a more fun and interesting approach to the business world,” reflects Erica G. (XLIII), an eighth grader at Trinity. “It introduced me to many things I had not previously learned about, such as the Sustainable Development Goals. We also worked on several skills, such as organization, note taking, and research.” Erica noted that, because of her camp experience, she has a more favorable opinion about entrepreneurs and is more likely to become an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurship Camp evolved from an idea to a full-fledged program through the pre-planning work of many Prep for Prep staff members. Several alumni entrepreneurs inspired and supported the camp’s development. Silver Lake and First Republic Bank provided funding for the program.

Created by: Delilah-Marie J. (XLIII), Chizitelu N. (XLIII), and Barack C. D. (XLIII)

PROBLEM: There is significant conflict and violence across Myanmar, including air strikes

and artillery bombardments, which have jeopardized the safety of the country’s residents

and access to basic necessities.

SOLUTION: Barrier-Breaking Bunkers aims to offer a safe, subterranean shelter and job

opportunities by providing rentable bunkers in which residents can sell the basic necessities

that their community needs.

Created by: Ashley L. R. (XLII), Mathias O. (XLIII), Michael O. (XLIV), and Zoe Z. (XLII)

PROBLEM: Puerto Rico is still recovering from the damage caused by hurricanes that hit

the island in 2017, 2020, and 2022.

SOLUTION: Hurricane Life helps residents prepare for future hurricanes by offering three

tiers of disaster preparedness and response in the hopes that the more vulnerable populations

can benefit from the insurance against disaster.

Created by: Uzochi O. (XLIII), Dara A. (XLIII), and Arjun D. (XLIII)

PROBLEM: Women in Sri Lanka are not prioritized in hospitals and therefore are lacking

the immediacy of some of their healthcare needs.

SOLUTION: The FemCare website and app connect Sri Lankan women with qualified

medical professionals through organizations like Doctors Without Borders who can provide

preliminary screenings and help to connect them with a local doctor to circumvent the

social stigma.

Created by: Rodney J. C. (XLII), Chloe C. (XLIII), and Juwon F. (XLIII)

PROBLEM: People in rural areas of China are not able to afford adequate healthcare and are

at a loss for available work as many factories have closed in response to the country’s Covid-19

guidelines.

SOLUTION: inDevelopment buys abandoned factories and hires local residents to produce

medical supplies that are sold to the general public in China. In addition, residents are able

to receive assistance from foreign medical students via tele-health appointments.

Created by: Mumeen R. (XLII), Jahleel M. (XLII), and Erica G. (XLIII)

PROBLEM: Nearly three quarters of Mexico’s population is obese; 43.9% live in poverty. For many, good quality and healthy food is too expensive or difficult to access.

SOLUTION: Fresh Future purchases surplus produce from farms and businesses and makes

it available to those in need at no cost to the customer. Food is available for pick up at a local

venue or customers can pay a small fee to have it delivered.

Created by: Ella S. (XLII), Anthony J. (XLII), Abhishek C. (XLIII), and Chimdindu N. (XLIII)

PROBLEM: Glaciers in Tibet are in danger due to the elevated carbon emissions created

by heavy tourism in the area and the clearing of trees for timber. Scientists estimate that glaciers will be gone by 2035.

SOLUTION: The TibetTree app connects Tibetan farmers with logging companies.

As part of this partnership, for every tree that is cut down, one will be replanted. In addition,

tourists can register on the app to be connected with local farms willing to host them. During

their stay, tourists will plant trees and learn about the environment.

This article appeared in the 2022 Prep for Prep Annual Report. Visit www.prepforprep.org/2022annualreport to read the full publication.