UM Blackstone Launchpad Sponsors Problem Solving Contest

University of Montana students and the public who attempt to solve problems on campus and around the world, could be rewarded, even when they fail, with the ’99 Problems Event’ on Wednesday.

Marketing and Operations Manager Morgan Slemberger said there will be a special event on the UM Oval on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“We’ll have 99 red balloons on the oval where people can write with a Sharpie a problem they see on the campus or in the community or the world in general so they can take part in that way,” Slemberger said. “Another way they can participate is by going to the Blackstone Launchpad Facebook page, and there they can vote on 13 proposals that students have put forward, and through those votes we will be awarding $750 to the first prize, $500 to the second prize and $250 to the third prize.”

Slemberger said one concept being utilized in the event is called ‘failureship’.

“Paul Gladen, the director of the Launchpad came up with that term,” she said. “Often, failure is identified as something that is bad, but we want to make failure OK, because in our failures we learn so much that it’s really a win. So, if students fail while they’re trying something really crazy and outside the box, then that’s wonderful, because they’re forging a new path and thinking outside the norm, and that’s where innovation happens.”

Slemberger said the Curry Health Center is helping students in a similar way to help deal with anxiety and failure to build resilience.