Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio

We're empowering high school students to address complex problems with design
solutions that help build a better future—for people and the planet. 

 

KCAD's Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio is a summer workshop that immerses student participants in the solving of complex “wicked” problems through the lens of whole systems design thinking, sustainability, and the circular economy.

Based on the framework of KCAD's international collegiate student design competition, Wege Prize, the two-week workshop provides participants with an active learning experience in which they’ll work in facilitated collaborative groups—led by highly-qualified instructors—to research and concept solutions to wicked regional problems through the design process and present their work to community leaders. 

Along the way, Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio participants will build skills, knowledge, experience, perspective, and professional connections that will expand their career opportunity and inspire them to become more actively engaged with the world around them. 

 
wege prize high school collaborative studio logo

2024 Cohort Details


2024 Program Dates

July 22 - August 2, 2024
Mondays - Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Culminating Celebration on Friday, August 2. 

2024 Application Deadline

June 23, 2024

Young students posing as a group on the steps of a building

Who is eligible to participate?

  • The Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio is open to Michigan high school students entering their junior or senior year of study. 
  • Interested students must apply for consideration and be accepted in order to participate. 
  • Each summer cohort will be made up of 20 student participants.
  • There is no cost to participate. 

Group of students gathered around a table

What will I get out of the experience? 

  • A $595 stipend
  • Daily lunches (provided free of charge)
  • A certificate of completion
  • Community network building and professional mentoring
  • Letters of reccomendation (for college and/or internship applications)
  • Portfolio-quality design work

Three students standing in front of a black and green backdrop giving a presenation

How can I apply to participate? 

  1. Talk to someone who knows you well but is NOT a family member (teacher, counselor, or employer) and ask if they can provide a personal reference in support of your application. You’ll need their name, email, and phone number
  2. Once you have your reference identified, complete our online application form, including contact info for your reference. You may need to ask your parent or guardian for help completing some sections of the form. 
  3. After you submit your app form, we’ll contact your designated 
    reference and ask them to complete the process by filling out our separate online reference form. We’ll let you know when your application is all set. 

 


2023 Cohort Final Presentations


Wege Prize and the Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio are organized by KCAD's Wege Center for Sustainable Design with the support of The Wege Foundation. 

Contact Wege Prize High School Collaborative Studio


Email: [email protected]

Phone: 616.299.4927