DesignQuest: Arts and Innovation Challenge for Teens
DesignQuest Kits and Licensing Now Available
The DesignQuest Kit & Licensing Now Available
Empower Trip LLP, the creative force behind DesignQuest, is excited to announce that the DesignQuest Kit and Licensing are now available for purchase and implementation!
DesignQuest is an arts and innovation educational experience that empowers students through real-world design challenges rooted in the arts, STEM, sustainability, and societal impact. Students create solutions for their community after identifying a problem they would like to solve.
Ignite Creativity. Transform Learning. Start Your Quest Today.
The DesignQuest Kit includes everything educators need to launch the program in their schools or organizations—complete with planning tools, introductory lesson plan, student guidebook, facilitator guide, scoring rubric, and promotional templates. We’ve also included our Fundraising and Sponsorship Guide, so you can learn to use DesignQuest to raise funds for your school or organization. Now, with our licensing options, schools, districts, and youth organizations across the country can bring this dynamic program to their communities—building creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills along the way.
Join our mission to inspire the next generation of changemakers through meaningful, project-based learning. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, nonprofit leader, or program director, the DesignQuest Kit makes it easy to get started. DesignQuest inspires learners to think creatively, take risks, and design real solutions to real problems. Each kit empowers students to explore, innovate, and lead meaningful change in their school community.
Interested in licensing or purchasing the kit?
Contact us directly at [email protected] or call us at 609-882-1031 to learn more
2025 Empower Trip and Teen Arts NJ Partnership
Empower Trip and Teen Arts NJ proudly completed the 2025 DesignQuest Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative that empowered New Jersey students in grades 6–12 to create solutions for real-world problems through the power of art and design. This statewide challenge inspired hundreds of middle and high school students to apply innovative thinking, emotional insight, and creative expression to some of society’s most urgent issues. Grounded in the principles of Solutions Based Learning and Design Thinking, the DesignQuest Challenge invited learners to identify causes they cared deeply about—ranging from climate change to social justice—and use artistic mediums and human-centered design to propose meaningful solutions.
The results were extraordinary. Students demonstrated not only strong artistic and technical skills but also empathy, collaboration, and critical thinking. Their projects sparked conversations in schools and communities, showcased at local and regional exhibitions, and many participants expressed a renewed sense of purpose and agency. By tapping into both creative expression and innovative thinking, DesignQuest helped students become advocates for a more sustainable, equitable future while preparing them with workplace readiness skills and pathways to green careers. The success of the challenge proved that when students are given the tools and freedom to solve real problems through art, their potential to lead social change is limitless. We look forward to expanding the reach and impact of DesignQuest in future years.
DesignQuest 2025 brought together schools across New Jersey to showcase student creativity, innovation, and collaboration through design thinking. Students participated in hands-on modules that guided them through exploration, research, design, production, and reflection, allowing them to connect core subjects such as ELA, STEM, art, CTE, and media in meaningful ways. The initiative empowered young people to solve real-world challenges while building critical skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. With participation from schools and community organizations throughout NJ, DesignQuest highlighted the power of cross-curricular learning to inspire the next generation of leaders, creators, and innovators.
Students selected from a variety of scenarios that included the opportunity to create a sustainable fashion show, musical concert, art show, etc., and develop a solution to a societal issues related to agriculture, sustainability, social justice, etc. Students had the opportunity to work with industry experts in the field, and develop critical Career and Technical Education skills they can later transfer into the workforce. They invented amazing products to help society, provided valuable resources to their community, and inspired change! Call Empower Trip today at 609-882-1031 to bring DesignQuest to your school or organization and start making change for your community today!
Are You a Business or Organization Looking to Give Back?
Consider becoming a DesignQuest sponsor. By supporting this innovative program, you help inspire students to explore creativity, STEM, and problem-solving, while showcasing your commitment to education and community growth. Sponsorship also provides your organization with visibility, recognition, and meaningful connections with schools and future innovators. Contact us today to be matched with a school or organization and start making a difference today!
2025 DesignQuest Participants
Why DesignQuest Is the Perfect Partner for Schools and Organizations
DesignQuest is a one-of-a-kind challenge designed specifically for middle and high school students. It blends creative problem-solving with real-world scenarios that encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and a forward-thinking mindset. Each challenge, like the “Tomorrow’s Non-Profit” scenario, gives teens a hands-on opportunity to engage with professionals, learn from real case studies, and build solutions that could shape their futures.
For schools, DesignQuest provides an innovative curriculum supplement that aligns with STEM and arts-based learning standards. For nonprofits, companies, and community organizations, partnering with DesignQuest offers a pathway to engage with youth in a meaningful way, allowing them to share their expertise, while benefiting from the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas teens bring to the table.
DesignQuest includes a built-in fundraising guide to help schools and organizations generate the support needed to bring the program to life. From student-led donation drives to partnerships with local businesses and community groups, the guide provides ideas and tools to make fundraising a collaborative and empowering experience. When students take part in these efforts, they tend to value and care for the materials more deeply. All fundraising should follow district policies and be coordinated with school leadership, PTO/PTA members, and legal counsel to ensure compliance and success.
Expanding the Reach of DesignQuest with Empower Trip
Empower Trip’s goal is to make DesignQuest accessible to every interested teen, no matter their location. By expanding to other states, schools, and organizations, Empower Trip hopes to create a vast network of empowered young thinkers who can collaborate, learn, and grow beyond the confines of their local communities. To do this, Empower Trip seeks partnerships with educational institutions, state programs, and nonprofits that share a vision for empowering the next generation of leaders. Businesses that participate in DesignQuest gain visibility with schools and communities, demonstrate leadership in education and sustainability, and have opportunities to build partnerships, mentorships, and positive brand recognition.
How Can You Bring DesignQuest to your School or Organization?
If you’re an educator, organization, or community advocate looking to inspire your students, members, or community, Empower Trip would love to connect! By bringing DesignQuest to your school or organization, you can help build essential skills in youth that prepare them for the future workforce while creating positive impact in your community.
Whether you’re based in a large city, a rural area, or anywhere in between, DesignQuest is designed to be flexible, accessible and scalable. Empower Trip has created easy-to-implement programs for various budgets and logistical needs to ensure every school, organization, and state agency has an opportunity to inspire the next generation.