Q: What is the timeline of the program?

The Changemaker Program program happens primarily in the Spring semester (January-June), but schools are welcome to start in the fall to get an early start on the program. Students must be registered by early January (Jan. 15th at the latest), however, in order to participate. SPECIAL EVENTS: -Our Global Pitch competition happens in March each year, when finalists compete for funding for their projects. -Our Changemaker Showcase in June is the culminating event of the program, where we highlight and celebrate our most high-impact student projects.

Q: What is a team advisor?

A team advisor is an adult who supports a team. This can be a teacher, professor, parent, youth group leader, coach, or any other adult in the community.

Q: How is the program implemented in schools?

The Changemaker Project can be implemented as part of any project-based learning course, as a school-wide program in homeroom, or as an extra-curricular club. We encourage students to begin in their freshman year and continue the program until they graduate, but students can join at any grade level. The content can be delivered as a course on its own, offered during homeroom or other free periods, or integrated into an existing service-learning program, or any project-based learning course (English, Science, Computer Science, History, etc). Content can be molded to fit each school's needs and schedule quite easily, as it is designed to be flexible and supplement the content you already have. All students receive access to our online course portal where they can learn about a variety of issues affecting people and the planet and receive the tools they need to design their own social impact projects. While the online course is made to be easily accessible for students to complete modules on their own, we require each school to have at least one Team Advisor (can be a teacher, parent, or other capable adult) who can guide students through the program throughout the school year especially as they design and complete their action projects. In addition to the school-based activities, all students are encouraged to join our 60-minute monthly live calls (first Sundays at 10am PST) in the spring to learn and connect with other students from around the globe.

Q: Do you offer professional development for Team Advisors/teachers?

Yes, we host PD sessions for teachers throughout the year to come together and receive training and support as they facilitate the program. During this call, we offer a combination of wellness support for the teachers themselves (with topics such as mindfulness and self-compassion) as well as support on program topics (exploring social justice themes, tips on facilitating class discussion, Design Thinking methodology, prep for Global Pitch, etc.) These PD calls are an opportunity for teachers to connect with other educators from around the globe, build community, and receive support as they implement The Changemaker Project in their classroom.

Q: Do team advisors need to complete background checks?

Classroom teachers do not need to complete background checks in order to advise teams, since they are already cleared through their school district. Everyone else (parents, youth leaders, etc.) will need to complete a Livescan background check report in order to ensure the safety of all students. If needed, we can reimburse team advisors for the cost of the background check (usually it costs around $20-25 and can be done at most copy shops.)

Question 1

Who is eligible to participate?

Accepted Answer

All students (aged 13-18) anywhere in the world can participate. Students must be comfortable reading/writing/speaking in English, and have access to a strong internet connection for streaming our course videos.

We also now have a course for changemakers 18+—check out the Visionaries Institute!

Question 2

When is the deadline to register?

Accepted Answer

The 2026 course officially begins on Jan. 5th, and we ask that all students be registered by this date. The final deadline (for schools which resume from winter break the following week) is Jan. 15th.

We encourage students to register as soon as possible, however, to get a head start on the curriculum, as the timeline of the program is very fast-paced.

Question 3

Can students participate in the program outside of school?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We encourage students to participate inside or outside of school, at a youth group, or anywhere you have an internet connection and a supportive adult to be your team advisor.

In the Spring, we host a 60-minute monthly Zoom call on the first Sunday of each month, at 10am PST, for all of our changemakers to come together, connect with one another, and receive support from a mentor on their projects.

Question 4

How many students can be on a team?

Accepted Answer

We encourage teams of 2-5 students, however we will make exceptions for students who prefer to work alone.

Question 5

How much does it cost to participate?

Accepted Answer

The cost to register is $20-30/student, depending on volume and date of registration:
​
Early bird (by June 15th), whole class (30+ students) registration: $20/student
Early bird (by June 15th), individual (<30 students) registration: $25/student
After June 15th, whole class registration: $25/student
After June 15th, individual (<30 students) registration: $30/student
​
Our final deadline for students to register for the 2026 program is January 15th, 2026. Due to financial constraints, partial scholarships are available on a very limited basis, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email us if you would like a scholarship for your school, and let us know what you are able to pay per student so we can give you the proper discount code.

This cost includes access to the online course platform, access to our live course every month throughout each school year, virtual support from mentors,  eligibility for the Global Pitch competition, and the Changemaker Showcase event each year.

Question 6

What is the timeline of the program?

Accepted Answer

The Changemaker Program program happens primarily in the Spring semester (January-June), but schools are welcome to start in the fall to get an early start on the program. Students must be registered by early January (Jan. 15th at the latest), however, in order to participate.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

-Our Global Pitch competition happens in March each year, when finalists compete for funding for their projects. 
-Our Changemaker Showcase in June is the culminating event of the program, where we highlight and celebrate our most high-impact student projects.

Question 7

What is a team advisor?

Accepted Answer

A team advisor is an adult who supports a team. This can be a teacher, professor, parent, youth group leader, coach, or any other adult in the community.

Question 8

How is the program implemented in schools?

Accepted Answer

The Changemaker Project can be implemented as part of any project-based learning course, as a school-wide program in homeroom, or as an extra-curricular club. We encourage students to begin in their freshman year and continue the program until they graduate, but students can join at any grade level.

The content can be delivered as a course on its own, offered during homeroom or other free periods, or integrated into an existing service-learning program, or any project-based learning course (English, Science, Computer Science, History, etc).  Content can be molded to fit each school's needs and schedule quite easily, as it is designed to be flexible and supplement the content you already have.

All students receive access to our online course portal where they can learn about a variety of issues affecting people and the planet and receive the tools they need to design their own social impact projects. While the online course is made to be easily accessible for students to complete modules on their own, we require each school to have at least one Team Advisor (can be a teacher, parent, or other capable adult) who can guide students through the program throughout the school year especially as they design and complete their action projects.

In addition to the school-based activities, all students are encouraged to join our 60-minute monthly live calls (first Sundays at 10am PST) in the spring to learn and connect with other students from around the globe.

Question 9

Can a team advisor support multiple teams?

Accepted Answer

Yes; most of them do!

Question 10

Do you offer professional development for Team Advisors/teachers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we host PD sessions for teachers throughout the year to come together and receive training and support as they facilitate the program.

During this call, we offer a combination of wellness support for the teachers themselves (with topics such as mindfulness and self-compassion) as well as support on program topics (exploring social justice themes, tips on facilitating class discussion, Design Thinking methodology, prep for Global Pitch, etc.)

These  PD calls are an opportunity for teachers to connect with other educators from around the globe, build community, and receive support as they implement The Changemaker Project in their classroom.

Question 11

Do team advisors need to complete background checks?

Accepted Answer

Classroom teachers do not need to complete background checks in order to advise teams, since they are already cleared through their school district. Everyone else (parents, youth leaders, etc.) will need to complete a Livescan background check report in order to ensure the safety of all students. If needed, we can reimburse team advisors for the cost of the background check (usually it costs around $20-25 and can be done at most copy shops.)

Question 12

What is the goal for the final project?

Accepted Answer

Final projects are judged based on the impact they make in solving a given problem in the world. All projects will be evaluated based on a rubric which will be released during the online course and outline the criteria that should be taken into consideration when designing your project.

Question 13

What kinds of projects do students create?

Accepted Answer

Students can create any kinds of projects they dream up which solve a problem in the world! This could range from an act of service, an invention, an art project, a political action, an educational campaign, a technology product, or a startup.
Check out our recent projects here.

Question 14

What are the important deadlines?

Accepted Answer

Our deadlines for the 2025-2026 school year are as follows:
 
Jan. 15th: Final deadline for students to register
Mar. 13th: Project Proposals Due
Mar. 19th: Pitch videos due for Global Pitch
June 1st: Final videos due for Changemaker Showcase inclusion

Question 15

How much funding should teams request in their pitch?

Accepted Answer

The amount of funding requested depends entirely on the scope of the project and what it requires in order to be successful. Smaller funding requests may be more likely to get funded, but it's also possible to obtain larger donations if the pitch is compelling and the funds are going to be put to good use. We will have some lessons in the online course dedicated to funding, to help students plan a budget for their projects and make funding requests that are appropriate for the scope of the work being done.

Question 16

What happens to projects that don’t get funding?

Accepted Answer

As part of our curriculum, we have each team create a GoFundMe page for their project. This allows them to begin the fundraising process for their project by utilizing their own network to secure funds. Although most of our teams get fully funded, we can support teams in revising their plans and budgets accordingly if they aren't able to secure all the funds they originally hoped for.

Question 17

What if I don't see my question answered here?

Accepted Answer

Just email hello@thechangemakerproject.org (or fill in the box below) and we'll get right back to you!

Frequently asked questions