ICE Challenges

What is an ICE Challenge?

Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship Challenges (ICE) are hands-on one day workshops that connect your business with senior high school students interested in your industry. You’ll engage with future talent, showcase your business as a career path and receive creative, youth-driven solutions to real challenges. These youth have to complete this workshop as part of their high school curriculum in the Specialist High Skills Major Program.

Your Business Front and Centre Position your business as a forward-thinking leader and employer of choice.

Build Meaningful Connections Host students on-site, introduce your team, give students a tour, and let them feel what makes your company unique.

Access Emerging Talent Connect with a diverse group of motivated students exploring careers in your field.

Expression of interest form

Are you a business or local organization?

How it works

We work with local employers and community organizations in all sectors to create a challenge that is relevant to your company.

ICE Challenge participants are guided through a design thinking (problem solving) methodology that they apply to your challenge. Through this process they learn about the nature of your challenge, your company and generate fresh ideas and solutions.

What you get

Position your business as a forward-thinking leader and employer of choice
Host students on-site, introduce your team, give students a tour, and let them feel what makes your company unique
Connect with a diverse group of motivated students exploring careers in your sector
Receive a marketing package post-event with testimonials and a recap of your impact

9 am - 10 am: Company Presentation and/or Tour
10 am - 12 pm: Students Digesting the Problem and Brainstorming Solutions
12 pm - 12:30 pm: Lunch
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm: Students Prototype Solutions
1:30 pm - 2 pm: Presentations

Expression of interest form

Case Studies

RIA Case Study

They strengthened their talent pipeline by connecting with youth passionate about meaningful work in senior care.

Download case study

GRT Case Study

Leveraged their ICE Challenge to explore e-bike solutions. The winning idea led to a pilot project with a cost-effective upgrade.

Download case study

Are you an Educator?

The BEP is a preferred facilitator by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board & Waterloo Region District School Board with over 20 years of experience delivering high-impact youth programming. These ICE Challenges are a perfect solution for educators looking for a SHSM Sectored Partnered Experience for their students. We coordinate all the details for you, you provide the students and get them to the venue.

After participating

93% of students feel more aware of challenges facing real companies
90% of students feel more prepared to problem solve real challenges companies
97% of students have a better understanding of their skills and how they can be developed

Participation in this program is geared towards grade 11-12 students enrolled in a Specialist High Skills Major Program (SHSM) at their high school and fulfills their SPE requirement. We are also open to offering these workshops to other groups of students if you think it is a fit! We would love to connect!

To express your interest in working with us on an upcoming ICE Challenge please complete the request form below. Please note that by completing this form it does not guarantee an organized ICE Challenge through the BEP. We will be in touch to talk more details to see if there is a fit.

Request an ICE challenge

WHAT IS INCLUDED: $50/student for a minimum of 40 students. An ICE Challenge through the BEP includes arranging a sector partner and a 4-hour interactive workshop, including a pizza lunch. If you are interested please fill out the expression of interest form. If you require more information, contact Alethea Robinson at [email protected]

I wouldn’t have passed up this experience for anything. After engaging with the incredible talent, I found myself with an interview at my now wonderful workplace.

—Student

I feel more highly of myself I guess...this challenge made me have to think outside of the box and take initiative over things and I found it very helpful doing this.

—StudentSt. Mary’s CSS (@ Waterloo Region Small Business Centre)

This event taught me how to communicate with others in order to effectively solve an existing problem for a real life business. I learned that though companies may have successes, in order to maintain this success they constantly need new ideas.

—StudentSt. David’s (@ THEMUSEUM)

The students said they felt valued. They commented that they felt as they could actually make a contribution to real problems and challenges the tech companies are dealing with and that what they've learned in school could be put into action and "tested out" with real problems. The day both inspired and opened students' eyes to careers and the types of creative opportunities they might like to pursue.

—Educator

For me, participating confirmed my interest in computer science. Being able to work directly with a company provided me with the knowledge of the skill sets that startups are looking for.

—Student

I think it’s a great opportunity for students to come together and work through a real life problem while providing the organizations with a different viewpoint on challenges they might be facing.

—Employer

This event helped me discover new strengths I did not know I had.

—StudentResurrection CSS (@Communitech)