IDEA-X Challenge
A competition for Langley School District secondary students to partner, invent, and innovate to solve significant world problems.
Each year, the IDEA-X team builds the challenge around a "wicked problem" that is either a local or global issue. Interested students are invited to form teams of 3-6 students to take on the challenge and identify, innovate, and pitch possible viable solutions to the problem.
Here is the 2027 Challenge Prompt:
Design an innovative and practical solution to address the housing access crisis in the Lower Mainland of BC, grounded in an understanding of the historical and ongoing impacts of land use, colonial systems, and economic development. The solution should consider the interconnected social, environmental, and economic factors that shape who can live where, and should support equitable, sustainable, and inclusive futures.
Interested student teams are invited to join us at the IDEA-X Kick-off on Wednesday, January 13th, 2027 from 4:30-8:30pm. The location for the kick-off is to be determined and will be based on how many teams sign up. Scan the QR code to the right to access the form or click here to register.
Please note that teams are limited to 3-6 students each.
2027 IDEA-X Challenge Background
Access to housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing communities across the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Rapid population growth, rising housing costs, limited land availability, and changing economic conditions have made it increasingly difficult for many people to find affordable and secure places to live. At the same time, housing access is shaped by the ways land has been used, governed, and developed over time. Historical and ongoing colonial systems have influenced who has had access to land, housing, and economic opportunities, while urban development decisions continue to affect each community differently. Understanding these interconnected factors is essential to creating solutions that are both effective and equitable.
Addressing the housing crisis requires more than simply building more homes. Housing is connected to transportation, environmental sustainability, community well-being, economic opportunities, and reconciliation. This challenge invites students to explore how innovative thinking, technology, policy, design, and community partnerships can help create more inclusive futures. Students are encouraged to consider diverse perspectives, including local and Indigenous knowledge systems, and to design practical solutions that support people, communities, and the environment. Through IDEA-X, students have an opportunity to tackle a real-world issue affecting British Columbians while demonstrating creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and leadership.
Examples from the Past:
Pitch videos from the 2026 winning team:
2026 Honourable Mentions:
Sponsors
The Langley School District is a proud and grateful partner of the Langley School District Foundation for their ongoing support of the IDEA-X Challenge! We also are thankful to all of the external sponsorship partners through the Foundation, who without their support, the IDEA-X Challenge would not be possible.
