- January 31, 2025
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Applications are being accepted for the 2025 UNF MedNexus Innovation Challenge.
The competition offers teams of regional high school students the opportunity to pitch innovative solutions to evolving healthcare needs while competing for scholarship prizes.
The fourth annual UNF MedNexus Challenge will take place on April 3, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Palm Coast Community Center. It is presented by the University of North Florida in partnership with the City of Palm Coast and Flagler Schools and sponsored by AdventHealth.
This year’s theme, "Becoming a Health Influencer," challenges teams of four high school students to develop strategies on how to influence teen health positively through social media.
The first and second-place teams will win scholarship funds — $1,000 per team member for first place, $750 for second-place team members.
Throughout the process, the teams will be assigned UNF faculty members to help guide them, providing expert feedback on their proposed interventions. Teams will present their innovative ideas to a panel of judges, receiving real-time feedback from industry experts, corporate leaders, investors and university faculty.
Four teams will be selected from the submissions to advance to the final competition. During February and March, the chosen teams will develop community-based interventions aimed at improving adolescent health through social media and work closely with UNF faculty mentors to refine their ideas and presentations.
The challenge culminates in the pitch competition, where teams will present their solutions in front of an esteemed judging panel and audience. This event offers students direct exposure to healthcare professionals and leaders, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
“This challenge empowers students to think creatively and address real-world healthcare issues, all while building invaluable skills,” UNF MedNexus Coordinator Hannah Boudreaux said. “We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas these students bring to the table.”
A team from Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville won last year's challenge with Team Project Rethink from Matanzas High School placing second.
For more information on the challenge, including application details, visit https://www.unf.edu/UNFmednexus/innovation-challenge-25.html
