Future Prize Professional Learning Day for Educators

Co-hosted by CIS Ontario and the Future Design School, the Future Prize for Middle School is a design-thinking competition for students in grades 6 to 8 which empowers them to find technology-based solutions to pressing real-world problems.

The event involves, first, a professional development opportunity for educators to learn the ins and outs of design-thinking methodology. Then, each educator returns to their school and forms a “mini-club” quartet with three students. After a month, researching an issue and conducting interviews with real potential users of an app-based solution, they all congregate for an action-packed day, including a final pitch to a team of judges.

Teachers will: 

• Receive hands-on professional development on how to apply design thinking tools and methods to enhance student learning - teachers learn by doing while participating on a team with students!
• Gain access to curriculum resources to support students through the process.
• Access curated content from around the world about education challenges 
• Take students on a field trip that meets Ontario and MYP curriculum expectations.
• Develop skills in creating hands-on, project-based, personalized learning experiences.

The 2027 Future Prize Professional Learning Day 

• Tuesday, January 19, 2027, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., in-person, location TBC

Future Prize for Middle School Challenge Day for students will be held on Friday, February 5, 2027 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Upper Canada College.

Learn about the Future Prize Challenge Day, watch the video below: