ZON 100: Learn. Adapt. Grow.
ZON 100 is a project-based course that gives you the opportunity to explore ideas, test possibilities, gather feedback, adapt, and learn through experimentation alongside a community of peers from across the university. Many students enter the course without a clear direction or specific goal. That uncertainty is not viewed as a weakness or a handicap, but as a natural and important part of the learning process.
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What is ZON 100?
ZON 100 is an experiential elective where intention meets action. It empowers you to take an existing project to the next level, or guide a new idea from conception to execution. Whether your focus is social, cultural, technical, environmental, or deeply tied to your academic background, you will pursue a project that matters to you.
Drive Your Own Project: Define Your Project, Stay Accountable, and Realize Your Vision.
Join a Dynamic Community: Connect, Share, Support, and Grow.
Earn Credit for Work That Matters to You: Take Intention into Action.
Who joins ZON 100?
Students join ZON 100 for many different reasons. Some want to explore an idea and test potential directions, others are looking for hands-on experience, or a stronger sense of community. Many begin the course feeling uncertain about their way forward, and that is completely normal. The course is designed for students who are curious, willing to experiment, and open to learning through action, feedback, and change. Hear from students across six different faculties and almost 50 different majors about their journeys through the course.
Sara, Creative Industries, The Creative School
Hameez, Computer Science, Faculty of Science
Rasika, Business Management, TRSM
Simone, Sociology, Faculty of Arts
Harleen, Social Work, FCS
Jonathan, Biomedical Engineering, FEAS
Why take ZON 100?
ZON 100 lets you test real ideas with real stakeholders. You'll develop sought-after transversal skills like accountability, organization, communication, adaptability, and resilience through authentic work-integrated learning. Build portfolio proof points that differentiate you in co-op applications, grad school interviews, and professional environments. Plus connect with peers across the university and become part of a thriving community.
When is ZON 100 offered?
ZON 100 is offered in-person every Fall and Winter semester. In the Spring-Summer semester, it's offered virtually as through the The Chang School of Continuing Education.
How does ZON 100 work?
The course alternates between full-class sessions (demos, presentations, discussions, and guest speakers) and weekly squad sessions (small groups for accountability and discussion). Over 12 weeks, you'll work on your project while developing and reinforcing essential transversal skills. Explore the skills toolkit below.
Organization & Leadership
Structure your project from start to finish. You'll learn to manage tasks, set priorities, and lead yourself and your initiative effectively to achieve tangible progress.
Critical Thinking & Inquiry
Tackle the messy realities of your project. You'll learn to question assumptions, analyze challenges from all angles, and find practical solutions to move your ideas forward.
Curiosity & Creative Thinking
Fuel your passion by exploring fresh possibilities. Cultivate original approaches, brainstorm innovative solutions, and embrace new perspectives to bring your unique vision to life.
Communication & Networking
Clearly articulate your purpose and connect with others. You'll learn to express your ideas compellingly, listen actively, and build valuable relationships that truly support your project's journey.
Initiative & Resourcefulness
Take charge of your project's direction. You'll learn to overcome obstacles creatively, find innovative solutions with available resources, and confidently push your ideas forward independently.
Uncertainty Narrowing & Decision Making
Thrive amidst complexity. You'll learn to seek out necessary information, make informed decisions, and iterate on your approach as new insights emerge, keeping your project moving forward effectively.
Empathy & Problem Solving
Understand real needs deeply. Develop a project that truly resonates with people, addressing needs with compassion and creating positive, lasting impact for your intended beneficiaries.
Responsibility & Accountability
Own your project's journey from idea to completion. You'll gain the commitment to meet goals, learn from every step, and take full ownership of your progress and outcomes.
Adaptability & Flexibility
Respond effectively to change. You'll learn to adjust your approach, embrace new insights, and pivot seamlessly when facing unexpected challenges, keeping your project vibrant and relevant.
Metacognition & Mindfulness
Understand how you operate at your peak. Develop the self-awareness to recognize your strengths, manage challenges effectively, and continuously refine your approach to thinking and working.
The course focuses on a process- and journey-based approach, where your learning is assessed by how you navigate challenges, integrate feedback, and adapt your project over time. Regular notes and progress reports are used to capture your efforts and progress. If one semester is not enough, you can continue in ZON 200, where you will build on your project or start something new. The two are required courses in the Minor in Innovation and Zone Learning.
Book a Meeting to Discuss ZON 100
Curious about ZON 100? Connecting with one of our course instructors is the best way to discuss your project idea and better understand the course. Please book a meeting to find out more.
FAQ
The course is open to students from every major at 成人大片. Although it's typically taken by third, fourth, and fifth-year students, it has also had first and second-year students. If you're a first-year student, we recommend waiting until your second semester, after you've experienced a full course load.
The course is about combining the pursuit of a project, autonomously, with real-world engagement with stakeholders.
You'll learn to turn your project into reality by researching your space, setting realistic goals, experimenting with new approaches, and learning from both successes and setbacks. Along the way, you'll strengthen transferable skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication that will benefit you in any academic program or career path you choose.
Beyond having a project in mind and wanting to engage with stakeholders, there are no academic or skill-based prerequisites to take the course.
The course is designed so any student can participate, regardless of major or technical ability. Whether you have a lot or little knowledge and skill to support your project, you will always be encouraged to develop them further.
You should have a project in mind before enrolling. The semester is too short to both conceive and meaningfully pursue a new project. If you're unsure about your idea, please book a meeting with the instructor well before the semester begins.
The course does not pair students with existing projects. Most participants pursue solo projects or already have established teams. Having your own project idea is strongly recommended.
You can change your idea as many times as you need before the start of the semester. What's most important is that you're ready to begin actively working on a project once the course begins.
As you can witness from the video testimonials above, participants in the course have worked on a very broad range of real-world projects. We encourage you to pursue a real-world project because you want to, not just because you can. The only limit is your imagination and drive. Possible projects could include: launching a mobile coffee cart serving ethical, locally-sourced coffee, creating a peer support network for first-generation college students, producing a documentary film about women in STEM fields, expanding a creative writing workshop program for underserved youth, self-publishing a graphic novel about immigrant experiences, building a free health literacy program for newcomer communities, recording a hip-hop music EP about financial anxiety; starting a freelance brand identity design agency, organizing a community garden network in your neighborhood; and so much more.
The course provides full support and encouragement for both group and individual projects.
The course provides full support and encouragement for new and ongoing projects.
The course supports both commercial and volunteer/non-profit passion projects. Whether your project involves selling creative work or benefiting a community, you will receive comprehensive support and encouragement.
The course operates on two-week cycles. One week features a three-hour class with all peers for presentations, discussions, demos, and guest speaker conversations. The alternate week involves a one-hour small group session (4-5 peers with the instructor or an academic assistant) for debriefing on progress, challenges, and planning. These small group sessions foster peer learning and support.
You are expected to spend at least three hours a week outside class working on your project. Class time is reserved for presentations, discussions, demos, and debriefs, not project work. On weeks with only a one-hour session, you'll gain two extra hours to work independently.
Most projects evolve throughout the semester. You only need to know where you want to start. Iteration is expected and encouraged.
The course is about making iteration and pivoting part of the learning process, so whether your projects succeeds, fails, or doesn't work it won't have on your grade.
The course is designed to be a supportive environment. You'll build confidence gradually through structured opportunities to share progress, receive feedback, and learn from peers and potential end-users or beneficiaries.
The assessment includes three individual monthly reports and one group presentation. These evaluate how you apply and reinforce transferable skills (e.g., critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, organization) in your project. You're not assessed on technical knowledge and skills or the success or failure of your project.
The instructor will facilitate connections to 成人大片's material and financial resources for passion projects. You will also be connected with past and current participants for networking, insights, and support. The instructor will also be available for direct guidance in case you need to bounce off ideas or are struggling to overcome a particular challenge.
Most projects in the course require little or no funding. Where costs are involved, we can help you explore 成人大片's material and financial resources.
Most participants take the course to explore academic or career-related goals, whether it's standing out in a capstone, building a standout portfolio, preparing for grad school, starting an independent practice, or launching a potential venture.
In the last session of the semester, you will be invited to participate in the Zone Learning Showcase and Market at the SLC, which will give you an opportunity to engage with many other students at 成人大片 as well as the broader community. There will be also other ad hoc opportunities to showcase and present your project whether it's at the Assembly Gallery, the Zone Learning Fair, or in events organized by the SLC, by the facultes, or by the student societies.
The calendar description currently states that "students must apply for and be accepted as members of one of the Zones," but this is no longer the case. We're working to remove that sentence from the calendar for next academic year.
To enroll in the course, just add it to your cart on MyServiceHub. If you still have some answered questions, make sure you with one of the instructors to ask your questions, or discuss your project idea(s).