The Change Engine returned for its second year, giving Waterloo students a platform to turn their advocacy ideas into tangible impact. Inspired by the spirit of Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank, the event brought together student innovators, campus leaders, and a panel of skilled judges for an evening of pitching, problem-solving, and big picture thinking. 

Key Themes

This year’s pitches centered around mental health and wellness, navigating co-op and employment, improving quality of education and strengthening student support systems. From tech-powered solutions to peer-driven resources, each team showcased the changes they want to see on campus and how they plan to make them happen. 

Meet the Winners

Clear the Haze – Arthi Bala

Clear the Haze aims to reduce student substance dependence through education and stigma-free support. The project pairs peer-led guidance, inclusive quitting strategies, and practical skill-building to make it accessible for students. 

H2oloo – Giordana Staudohar and Isabelle Lee

H2oloo seeks to increase the number of filtered water fountains in residence buildings, while encouraging hydration and promoting eco-friendly water sourcing. The project focuses on improving everyday student wellness by making clean, sustainable water more convenient and accessible. 

Winners won $5,000 in funding each, along with mentorship to help bring their ideas to life. 

Other Inspiring Pitches

Several other teams took the stage with forward-thinking ideas aimed at improving student life in different ways: 

• UniEvent: This project aims to help students navigate campus events and resources more efficiently through a user-friendly app. The goal is to reduce overwhelm and make it easier for students to find out what’s happening on campus. 

• The Peer Resources Card (Navigating UWaterloo Together): This project’s goal is to bridge the gap between students and the wealth of existing campus resources using simple cards and QR codes. It seeks to ensure that every student feels supported on campus. 

• G.U.S.S. (Guided University Student Support): This project seeks to offer trusted, tailored support for Waterloo students through a custom-created AI tool. Designed to provide accurate answers and instant resources including those tied to the local, provincial, and federal government, the project aims to help students find the right resources quickly and efficiently. 

Looking Ahead

As this year’s projects move into development, the momentum behind student-led innovation is only growing. The Change Engine continues to prove what’s possible when students are given the tools, funding, and platform to bring their ideas to life. 

If you’re ready to make a difference, applications for next year’s Change Engine are open! Your project could be the next one transforming student life. 

Ria Shah

Communications Coordinator Co-op