2021 One HEALtH Challenge Launched

The 2021 One HEALtH Challenge is officially underway! This year’s Launch Workshop looked a bit different, with organizers, guest speakers, mentors, and an amazing 50+ Carleton undergraduate students coming together virtually to kick off the Challenge. At the Zoom event held last Thursday, students first heard from CHAIM Director Dr. Kim Matheson about the meaning of One Health and the specifics of this year’s Challenge: to design an intervention (an application, program, tool, product, or strategy) that brings together young and older adults in a manner that is mutually beneficial, sustainable, and appropriate under the restrictions that exist to minimize the spread of viruses such as COVID.

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Next, students listened to a presentation by Dr. Renate Ysseldyk and Dr. Susan Braedley, whose research includes exploring the meaning of age-friendly communities and examining intersections between social identity and well-being in older adults. Catalysts for positive intergenerational interaction, such as technology and music, were also highlighted. After the presentations concluded, students were introduced to their mentors and placed in breakout rooms to start getting to know their teams.

​With competitors from areas as diverse as psychology, computer science, and industrial engineering, we’re excited to see what kind of out-of-the-box ideas will emerge from these collaborations. The Challenge runs until March 18th, when teams will pitch their solutions to a panel of expert judges at a final Presentation Day event. Stay tuned!

If you have questions about the One HEALtH Challenge or would like to attend the final event, send us an email at chaimcentre@carleton.ca.