2018 STEM Design Challenge

17 Feb 2018 STEM Design Challenge

On Friday, February 16^th STS leadership attended the third annual STEM Design Challenge where educators from all around Colorado work with industry professionals to develop and design classroom projects that are related to real-world STEM experiences! This year, the event took place at Michele’s Makery in beautiful downtown Colorado Springs. Several industry mentors including our very own, Brain Sutton, Chief Operating Officer, and Jim Romero, Director of Defense Programs. Both Brian and Jim had a hand in helping the educators brainstorm ideas, and even assisting the judging panel!

Various teachers conceptualized the design challenge projects, with ideas ranging from mildly STEM related, to projects that were quite lofty to execute. Mentors that participated in the challenge represented fields in aerospace, technology, cybersecurity, and more. Their responsibility in the challenge was to help their education participants hone their ideas so projects could be easily executed, and would be exciting for the students.

At the end of the event, each design team took the stage and presented their idea to a panel of judges, which included STS COO, Brain Sutton. The top three educator teams selected received an implementation grant award to help fund their well-designed projects. The First-Place winner of the 2018 STEM Design Challenge competition was “Team Hot Mess” from Holmes Middle School in Colorado Springs, who received $1,500 for their “More than Just a Greenhouse” proposal.

STS is dedicated to supporting STEM initiatives and education in our community. The STEM design challenge is just one of many amazing programs that reward STEM ideas and engaging educational projects and the STS team was excited to participate for the first time. We look forward to continued opportunities to see STEM education thrive in Colorado Springs, and to next year’s Design Challenge!