XPRIZE Challenge Winners Announced
In April, we announced that Disney and XPRIZE were running a contest for kids aged 8 – 17 to encourage their participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields in conjunction with the release of Tomorrowland.
On May 21, the winners were announced. Per the initial announcements, there were two divisions – juniors (8 to 12 year olds) and seniors (13 to 17 year olds). The judges selected three in each division, scoring on originality, creativity, and presentation.
“The inventiveness and dexterity showcased in the submissions we received solidify that innovation can originate from anyone if given the opportunity,” stated Trish Halamandaris, senior vice president of marketing and communications at XPRIZE in the press release.
The six winners and their ideas are as follows:
- Gabrielle Nafie (New York, NY), age 9: a bee origamibot, a tiny robot activated by sunlight and function like real bees, pollinating plants and helping counteract the decline of actual bees
- Maxwell Fung (North Syracuse, NY), age 11: a pain-blocking nanobot, devised to be used prior to surgery in order to slow the nerve endings from transferring the chemicals that induce pain
- Jason Jackrel (North Bellmore, NY), age 12: a hydrogen-powered scooter, helping to eliminate CO2 emissions
- Clarissa Katko (Dansville, MI), age 15: using the genetic makeup of mole rats, the cure for cancer can feasibly be developed
- Adrianne Camero (Miami, FL), age 15: the Magnēs Lithos Chair, a modern version of the wheelchair that uses the Earth’s electromagnetic field to be more adaptable to the user
- Natalie Cummings (Canonsburg, PA), age 16: the creation of artificial trees with leves that cleanse the air of CO2 and captures solar energy
“The submissions showed an incredible and imaginative vision of the future,” stated Sean Bailey, the president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production in the press release.
To see all the entries, as well as more information on the above winners, visit the XPRIZE Challenge website.
You can see more of Angie’s writing at her website.
