FSS Challenges

Each Challenge is credit-bearing (1.5 academic units) and runs from Friday to Sunday, requiring a total commitment of approximately 20 to 25 hours.

Offered on a pass/fail basis (Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory), this course emphasizes active engagement, collaborative teamwork, professional mentorship, and a structured process—from initial brainstorming to final presentations and reflective analysis. Students will earn credit through active participation, teamwork, professional mentorship, and a structured deliverable process, including presentations and a final reflection.

Students must have successfully completed at least 24 units at the time of application and must be in good academic standing.

Unleash your creativity and team spirit to tackle a social challenge that matters!

Upcoming Challenges

January 30-31, February 1, 2026

Hack the Truth: Combating Disinformation

Are you ready to put your academic skills to the test? Join us for an immersive, hackathon-style weekend 1.5-credit course designed for students who want to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: disinformation.

Bilingual Event. Open to all faculties. Registation open until January 15.

Registration open

What students say about the Challenge...

"This has been one of the coolest opportunities to meet and connect with new people. I was grouped with such amazing people, and we worked so well together. Now I have five new best friends! This challenge taught me how to be a better listener, give better ideas, communicate, connect, and work under immense pressure. Getting the opportunity to meet with deputy ministers, mentors, and people in the public/private sector. Getting hands-on advice and listening to those experiences was so cool. Especially with the short time we had to complete this challenge, it was so helpful having mentors guide us with their advice, and working all those long hours was all worth it at the end. So grateful for this opportunity and would 1000% do it over again!"

Fatima,
Participant, October 2025

Past challenges

October 3-5, 2025

Welcome Minister

Wonder what it’s like to advise a federal minister on day one of their new role? During this Challenge, students will pool their knowledge and expertise to develop, in teams, a briefing book for a new federal government minister following their appointment to Cabinet. As a team, they will create a written document and an oral briefing from the point of view of the department's non-partisan public service team.

Bilingual event.

November 14-16, 2025

Climate Change in a Multispecies World

The “Climate Change in a Multispecies World” challenge examines the interrelationships of humans and nonhumans in an era of climate change. This Challenge will allow students to learn about the impact of climate change on human communities and non-human populations with a focus on vulnerabilities. The Challenge features interdisciplinary presentations, teamwork, and personal reflection.

Event in English.

Registration is closed (event full).

November 21-23, 2025

students in discussing around a round table

Telfer Innovation Sprint on Homelessness and Housing Access

Social Sciences students are invited to join Telfer's School Innovation Sprint on Homelessness and Housing Access, led by Dean Stéphane Brutus (Telfer School of Business) and Vice-Dean Claire Kendall (Faculty of Medicine). Bilingual event.

Registration is closed (event full)

Students