This season, Aspen Challenge expanded into its 14th city, welcoming Detroit to the Challenge alongside Boston, now in its second year. While each Challenge Forum follows a similar format of bringing together students and their educator coaches as local experts challenge the teams to solve global issues, every city always brings their own special flair into the events. These forums mark the starting point: where students begin to think critically about real challenges, and find motivation behind solutions they’ll develop in the weeks ahead. 

Students in Boston and Detroit were both reminded that they were there for a reason. “You’re here because your teacher nominated you,” said Boston Public School Superintendent Mary Skipper. In Detroit, emcee and poet Natty Carrizosa set the tone for the day: “High vibration, a safe space, a brave space. This is your moment.” While each forum covered tough topics, the message was clear––this is where students become inspired, engaged, and begin to lead.

In both Boston and Detroit, students were challenged to rethink their relationship with technology by “adding friction” to their digital experience that is designed to keep them scrolling. Challenger Eisha Buch reminded students, “It’s not because you lack self control. It’s because of how the platforms are designed.” 

In Boston, students talked about community violence, shifting perceptions between youth and adults, affordable food, and immigration. And in Detroit, challenges focused on redefining safety, gaining access to healthy food, reshaping norms around substance use, and changing school policy through active student engagement. JerJuan Howard and Teferi Brent, the Community Violence Prevention Challengers in Detroit, reminded students, “Those who are closest to the problem are also closest to the solution.”

Throughout the forums, students asked questions, shared personal perspectives, and discussed each challenge with their respective team. As one speaker put it, “You are the now.” That mindset carried through each Forum and into the next phase of the program where teams research, build, and implement their solutions. The work is now in motion and leading to the Solution Showcases next month.