Inside the Ripple STEM Innovation Challenge

This past fall, the Ripple STEM Innovation Challenge invited teachers across the country to think boldly about exploration, discovery, and creative thinking in the classroom. Powered by Ripple, longtime DonorsChoose partner and champion of education, this challenge encouraged educators to design STEM projects that would make their students’ eyes light up — part of Ripple’s $15 million commitment to supporting students and teachers on DonorsChoose.

More than 28,000 STEM projects submitted on DonorsChoose by early October were automatically entered into the challenge. An esteemed judging panel (including artist and activist John Legend, Yale psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos, early childhood expert Monica J. Sutton, and the Ripple team) selected five standout winners, who each received a $100,000 DonorsChoose gift code to turn their classroom into the STEM wonderland of their dreams.

From latch-hook crafts to quadcopters, this challenge celebrated the brilliance of teachers everywhere.

Curious to see what a $100,000 prize winning project looks like? Check out the winners:‍

‍Empowering STEM Education Through Innovative Coral Restoration‍

Chayanee Brooks – Pahala, HI – Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School
With the help of a 3D printer and coral fragments, students at Ka'u High and Pahala Elementary will get a hands-on opportunity to learn the principles of designing and fabricating structures at a micro/macro level, and direct exposure to in-demand STEM careers. 

Talk to the Hand: STEM-ovation in Robotic Arm Prosthetics!

Eric York – Tulare, CA – Tulare Union High School
Inspired by E-nable's open-source prosthetic community, this high school robotics teacher aims to teach his students how to design and fabricate their own prosthetic arms — and, in the process, show them the engineering design process and how their handiwork can make a difference.

Makey Makey Music Lab: Hands-On STEM through Sound and Code

Mark Bilotta – Monroe, CT – Jockey Hollow School
Technology meets tunes in this high school music teacher's project. By exploring STEM concepts through hands-on activities like coding music, building DIY instruments, and experimenting with sound science, Mr. Bilotta's students will transform from listeners into makers, bridging STEM and art to open up new career possibilities and dreams. 

Hydroponics in Action: Growing Chemistry Careers

Pravesh Shiwnarain – Jamaica, NY – York Early College Academy
Using hydroponic kits, grow lights, and tools like pH and EC meters, Mr. Shiwnarain will help his students conduct experiments that connect directly to real-world STEM careers and see firsthand how chemistry is the foundation of sustainable food systems and environmental problem-solving.

Green Chemistry Innovators: Student-Designed Sustainable Products

Ragaa Khalil – Los Angeles, CA – Torres Engineering & Technology Academy
Ms. Khalil is redefining the traditional chemistry lab class by transforming her students into environmental scientists. Utilizing the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, Torres chem lab students will work in teams to identify climate issues, research sustainable alternatives, formulate eco-friendly products, and conduct rigorous testing with new lab materials and tools. 

Inspired? Submit a project and bring these stellar ideas to your classroom.

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