Social Innovation Lab: Build What Matters
A hands-on career readiness program for youth aged 14–18 to explore how technology can be used to create positive change in their community.
A hands-on career readiness program for youth aged 14–18 to explore how technology can be used to create positive change in their community.
The Social Innovation Lab isn't a classroom. It's a transformative program that prepares youth to think critically, develop autonomy and become an active citizen capable of contributing to the community.
You'll work in a small team, tackle a real problem that affects your community, and build something from scratch — guided by mentors, fuelled by your own curiosity, and supported by everyone in the room.
Participants simulate a real-life pitch experience by presenting their innovative ideas to a live audience. Backed by the guidance of dedicated volunteers (including AI experts and industry professionals who support the Lab) everyone proves they have what it takes to solve complex problems and uplift their communities when given the right tools and space.
From cutting-edge mental health tools and educational support apps to creative tech for sports and recreational needs, these young innovators prototype exactly what their peers need most.
You'll think like a founder — identifying opportunities, testing ideas quickly, and pitching solutions with confidence.
Your project tackles something real — a gap in your community that you care about and want to fix.
You'll learn how AI actually works, what data means, and how technology can be a tool for good — or harm — depending on who's using it.
The Lab isn't about adding a line to your resume. It's about building capabilities that transfer — to any job, any school, any challenge you'll face. Our program is built around three skill domains that employers and post-secondary institutions consistently rank as most valuable.
Every activity in the Lab is designed around one principle: learn by building, not by watching. Our four-method approach has been tested across 16 cohorts with 98% satisfaction rate. Whether you're an experienced educator or a first-time facilitator, the structure holds the room for you.
Youth work on a real community challenge from day one — the curriculum guides them, but their curiosity drives it.
A clear five-stage framework (empathize → define → ideate → prototype → test) that gives facilitators a reliable structure to follow and adapt.
Intentionally diverse cohorts mean youth teach each other — your role is to hold the space, not deliver the content.
Activities are designed to draw out what participants already know and build from there — reducing facilitation pressure and increasing youth ownership.
The Social Innovation Lab Facilitator Toolkit gives you everything you need to deliver the Social Innovation Lab with your own group — activities, facilitation guides, digital workshop plans, and slide decks for every module. Free to download. No prior experience required.
We’d love to hear from you! Share your story with us and let us know how your community is bringing the toolkit to life. Use #SocialInnovationLab and tag us on social media.
Interested in additional training on the toolkit?
Fill out the form or reach out at youthdm@digitalmoment.org to get started.
