Young Edison Challenge

Are You a Student Inventor?

Each year, students in grades 9-12 are invited to showcase their creativity by creating a new, innovative product or service and developing a plan to market it.

The top three student innovations are named “Young Edison” Student Winners. Each of the winners receive a trip to the Edison Awards in Fort Myers, Florida. Additionally, available scholarships include: $2,500 GOLD, $1,500 SILVER, and $1,000 BRONZE!

Submissions are currently closed for 2023. Watch this page for announcements for the opening of the 2024 season.

Presented by the Charlotte Community Foundation.

"I am forever inspired by the achievements of the women around me, my peers who share my passions for robotics and engineering, who both push and support me to reach my goals"
Pria Sawhney
2022 Young Edison Challenge Winner

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION HERE

Teachers, download a flier
for your classroom bulletin
board or newsletter.

2023 Student Winners

GAME CHANGER

Corneal Applanation Scleral Buckling Model
by Sonia Patel

GOLD WINNER

Recycled dog toy made from donated textile waste
by Isis Fleming, Kayla Davis, Leandra Kelly, Michael Hathaway

SILVER WINNER

Hypershelter
by Aldrich Heinz Alvarez

BRONZE WINNER

Biopurication: using Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina major to create an open system bioreactor generating electricity while running a dual-purpose air purification and CO2 sequestration system
by Amaya Etcheverry

Student Presentations at the 2022 Meet the Innovators Forum

Want to be a Young Edison Challenge Expert Reviewer?

We are looking for industry experts, educators as well as qualified undergraduate and graduate students to review student nominations in February to help us determine our Young Edison Challenge Winners. If you are interested in being an Young Edison Challenge Expert Reviewer, fill out our application.

Past Student Winners

2022

GOLD WINNER

Vizuell
by Pria Sawhney
Lexington, MA

SILVER WINNER

Silicone Eye Applanation Model (S.E.A.M)
by Sonia Patel
Naples, FL

BRONZE WINNER (TIE)

iCane
by Rian Carter and Umi Arora
Aurora, IL

HIV Medication Oral Thin Film for Pediatric Oral Delivery
by Maggie Zhang
Overland Park, KS

2019

GOLD WINNER

Sporknife
by Nicholas Markels
Park City, UT

SILVER WINNER

Crybaby
By Ashlyn Kennedy
Overland Park, KS

BRONZE WINNER

Secure Facility Robotics
by Nathaniel Denham & Nicco Shaw Peoria, AZ

2018

GOLD WINNER

Every Drop Counts
by John Levi Holtzman and Joseph Jedlicka
Nixa, MO

SILVER WINNER

Pointe Wick
by Rachel Schirber and Brannoc Borowiak-Miller
Overland Park, KS

BRONZE WINNER

Secure Cycle
Eric Christman
Overland Park, KS

2017

WINNER

Nova Personal UV Sensor 
Kali Watkins, Connor French & Brooke Mitchell
Park City, Utah

WINNER

Intonation 
Hannah Chen & Seth Mazza
Peoria, Arizona

WINNER

IKOS Toys
Alexander Whitty, Sky Martin, Joshua Lansky, & Kelly Murad
Park City, Utah

2016

WINNER

Decomposing Toilet
Abby Mitchell
Overland Park, KS

WINNER

Comfort Kits
Hannah Harrick
Overland Park, KS

WINNER

Custom Cartilage Implants
Alexis Vance
Overland Park, KS