Project management, AI, and sustainability — applied to real community challenges.
A hands-on innovation event where students, project managers, technologists, sustainability professionals, and community builders form teams to design practical solutions for climate resilience, accessibility, and community impact.
The PMI-LA × Sound of Earth Innovation Challenge is a sustainability-focused innovation event that brings together students, project managers, technologists, sustainability professionals, and community builders to create practical solutions for real-world community challenges.
Participants leverage project management principles, AI-enabled tools, and collaborative teamwork to design solutions that advance sustainability, climate resilience, accessibility, and community impact.
Apply real PM frameworks — scope, stakeholders, milestones, and delivery — to move an idea from concept to working prototype.
Use modern AI tooling responsibly to accelerate research, prototyping, and decision-making throughout the challenge.
Design for sustainability, climate resilience, and accessibility — solutions measured by their value to real communities.
A guided sprint from theme to submission — with mentorship, AI tooling, and PM rigor built into every milestone.
A central sustainability theme frames the challenge, with guiding principles around feasibility, equity, and measurable community impact. theme TBA
Participate as a team or as an individual matched into a team. Teams are encouraged to blend PM, technical, and domain skills.
A working prototype or solution concept, a PM documentation package, and a final presentation. Full detail below.
Solutions are judged on impact, feasibility, innovation, project management quality, and clarity of presentation.
Guidance on recommended AI tools and responsible-use expectations is provided in the Resources section.
Open to students and professionals across disciplines. Specific eligibility requirements will be confirmed at registration. confirm
Every team turns in a consistent package so judges can compare solutions fairly.
A working prototype, demo, or a clearly documented solution concept showing how it addresses the challenge.
Core project management artifacts — problem statement, scope, stakeholder map, plan/timeline, risks, and success metrics. templates provided
A short final presentation (live or recorded) covering the problem, solution, impact, and project approach.
Format, file types, and links are submitted through the official submission portal by the deadline. portal link TBA
PM document templates, submission checklist, and presentation outline. link TBA
Suggested AI tools and responsible-use guidance for research, prototyping, and documentation.
Background reading, datasets, and frameworks on climate resilience, accessibility, and community impact.
Lightweight project management guidance drawn from PMI practice, scaled for a fast innovation sprint.
Scheduled sessions to get feedback from mentors during the build. schedule TBA
Reference examples and past projects to illustrate the bar for a strong submission. examples TBA
Students and professionals across disciplines — project managers, technologists, sustainability professionals, designers, and community builders. Specific eligibility is confirmed at registration.
No. You can register as a team or as an individual and be matched into a team at kickoff.
Cost and any registration details will be confirmed before registration opens.
You're encouraged to use modern AI tools responsibly. Recommended tools and responsible-use guidance are listed in Resources.
A prototype or solution overview, a PM documentation package, and a final presentation — see the Deliverables section.
Experienced project managers, technologists, and sustainability leaders guide teams and evaluate submissions.
Judge & mentor bios coming soon
Mentors hold office hours through the challenge, offering feedback on scope, feasibility, and presentation.
A light, flexible commitment — a few hours of office hours and feedback during the event window.
Sponsors and partners make the challenge possible — and connect with a community of emerging innovators and seasoned professionals.
Tiered sponsorship packages with visibility, judging seats, and community engagement. prospectus TBA
PMI-LA, Sound of Earth, and partner organizations across sustainability, technology, and education.
Local groups and community supporters helping ground the challenge in real-world needs.
Location and directions. venue TBA
Arrival, registration desk, and team check-in process at the start of the day.
The full schedule from kickoff through awards, with build time, breaks, and mentor sessions.
Each team presents to the judging panel on a set schedule.
Dedicated time to connect with mentors, judges, sponsors, and fellow participants.
Recognition of winning teams and standout solutions to close the event.
Register your team or sign up as an individual to be matched. Sponsors, mentors, and judges welcome too.
Get updates on dates, registration, and resources as they're announced.