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.

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