The 2024 Gen-Next Challenge officially kicked off with an inspiring and dynamic event, gathering more than 80 enthusiastic students, five expert speakers, and 15 dedicated coaches and academic representatives. The event set the tone for an exciting journey of innovation, teamwork, and creativity.
Diving into the Challenge: Insights from Key Partners
Students had the valuable opportunity to explore the challenge from multiple perspectives, thanks to contributions from Alice Holzer of ASF, Lise Cordey from the City of Lausanne, and Carla Spielmann from the City of Aarau. Each speaker provided unique insights, setting the stage for a meaningful exploration of the issues at hand.
A Special Message from Johan Djourou
A highlight of the day was the inspiring message of Johan Djourou, a former Swiss professional footballer and advocate for women’s football. As a father of three daughters, Johan’s commitment to supporting women in sports was evident. He also shared his excitement about participating in The SPOT event, further engaging with the Gen-Next Challenge community.
Innovation in Action with IMD Professor Cyril Bouquet
The spirit of innovation took center stage with Cyril Bouquet’s interactive session. He challenged 15 students to build a duck using Lego bricks. The result? Fifteen completely unique ducks, demonstrating the creative power of individual thinking—given the same set of materials, each student produced a distinct solution, proving the potential for innovation within the group.
Building Together: The Marshmallow Challenge
Following a well-deserved lunch break, students from different universities were randomly mixed into teams to tackle the legendary Marshmallow Challenge. Using 20 sticks of spaghetti, 1 yard of tape, 1 yard of string, and three marshmallows, their goal was to build the tallest possible structure in just 18 minutes—with one marshmallow proudly placed at the top. Congratulations to Team Batman for constructing the highest tower!
What’s Next: The Road to the Finals
With the Challenge now in full swing, students will continue to work in teams, and the best ones from each university will be selected to advance. The journey culminates on December 12th, when the top teams will face off in the grand finale. The ThinkSport community is warmly invited to join this exciting event and witness the innovation and creativity of these young talents in action.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Gen-Next Challenge continues to inspire and shape the next generation of problem-solvers!