About Catalyst Day
Catalyst Day — held each fall and spring — is designed to showcase Ripon College’s Catalyst curriculum and celebrate the achievements of the students who are completing the capstone seminar in Applied Innovation. The theme for Catalyst Day reflects Ripon’s institutional commitments to sustainability and innovation. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to watch student presentations that tackle worldwide issues.
The Challenges
Catalyst 300 students are tasked with developing solutions to prominent real-world issues outlined by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. After Catalyst students are assigned one of these challenges, they demonstrate their mastery of applied innovation by identifying a location where their challenge exists and working collaboratively to propose viable solutions. The topics are outlined below.
Environmental Justice
Environmental benefits and risks are not evenly distributed across all communities.
Women’s and Children’s Health
In the United States, maternal mortality doubled in the 21st century.
Violence
Over 600,000 people around the world are killed in violent conflict.
Water Pollution
Almost a third of global population lacks physical or economic access to safe drinking water.
Decent Work
Lack of decent work results in poverty as well as limited access to basic human rights.
About Catalyst
Ripon College’s Catalyst curriculum develops the 21st-century skills that employers seek.