As one of the three strategic goals of CGI’s community engagement strategy, we seek to advance digital learning through programs that build awareness, improve access to digital resources, and support IT education and careers.

We believe that, in an era of rapid technological advancement, digital skills have the power to greatly expand learning and career opportunities.

In partnership with our clients, community organizations and local schools, CGI trains and mentors school age to adult participants in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through our global STEM@CGI program.

Among our STEM@CGI initiatives, the Innovate IT Challenge in the U.S. provides experiences that inspire students to explore a future in the digital workforce. Introduced at our Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this annual competition partners high school students with mentors to design and present innovative mobile apps.

Promoting teamwork and innovation 

Teams of two to four students, from partner organizations, team up with mentors to develop a smartphone app. Using the Thunkable application platform, the students create mobile apps with drag-and-drop tools instead of writing code.

The team with the most innovative, applicable and creative mobile app design receives a one-time award of $20,000 to be used for educational purposes. The monetary award is divided evenly among the team members.

2025 winning apps help broaden students’ perspectives

With support from community partners, our Boston and Pittsburgh U.S. locations completed the CGI Innovate IT Challenge in 2025, attracting the participation of 14 teams. Award distribution for the two competitions totalled $40,000.

We hosted the Boston Challenge, featuring five teams, with Junior Achievement of Greater Boston. Judges for the Boston competition included leaders from Executive Office for Administration and Finance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Point32Health and Staples, Inc. Collide, the app submitted by Challenge winners Team Collide from North Quincy High School helps college-bound students navigate the school selection process. Collide offers personalized college lists and direct access to college representatives through a built-in chat feature.

For the Pittsburgh Challenge, featuring nine teams, we partnered with the University of Pittsburgh and others. Pittsburgh leaders from TriState Capital Bank, Sheetz Inc, Highmark Health and PNC served as judges. Worldview, the winning app created by Team Infinite from Oakland Catholic High School, encourages teenagers to gain greater global perspective by reading daily news.

Since the program’s inception in 2020, CGI has distributed $240,000 in prize money to the members of the 12 winning teams.