The Fall 2023 Bright Spark® Graphic Design Challenge has concluded! We asked the following question to the Bright Spark® community: “How might we help the people in communities affected by natural disasters recover emotionally and physically?”
For additional information, please review the included challenge guidelines.
The Fall 2023 Bright Spark® Invention Challenge was a free, virtual program designed for students between 4th and 12th grade (ages 9-18). Students were invited to compete individually or in teams, and had to be led by an adult (Teacher / Sponsor).
Students used the design thinking process to identify a real-world problem, empathize, ideate, and prototype a physical invention. This year, we asked: “How might we help the people in communities affected by natural disasters recover emotionally and physically?” Students were encouraged to explore natural disaster recovery, identify a “real need,” design an inventive solution, and present it in a 90-second video pitch.
Robyn StringFellow
WTCI PBS; Manager of Educational Content and Services
Susan self
BVI FEMA
William Bryan
Playcore; Employee & Community Engagement Manager
Rafael Aponte Olmo
FEMA; Office of Response & Recovery
LEda Goodman
Covenant College; Assistant Director of the Center for Calling & Career
Christina Zekas
FEMA; Office of Response & Recovery
Alfred Burks III
FEMA; Office of Response & Recovery
You must register to participate. Team up with others or participate as an individual. The registration deadline is September 27, 2022.
Design a product, service or technology that helps people prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
To showcase the invention prototype, generate a 90-second pitch video introducing what you’ve designed.
Submit your video! Videos will be used for public voting to determine the finalists. A judging panel will select the winners from the finalist group.
Attend virtual award ceremony on November 16, 2023!
The finalists are judged based on the following criteria:
Idea - Identifies a real-world problem/challenge
Originality - Idea is original, novel, creative and/or inspiring
Ideation Process - Demonstrates the invention’s function and application
Prototype - In alignment with ideation and considers cost and material needs
Experiment - Demonstrates multiple testing of prototype
Students/teams are eligible for the following awards:
Best Overall by Age Level: Elementary, Middle, High
Most Creative
Best Prototype
All teacher leaders receive Design Thinking Leadership digital badge. Teachers of winning individuals/teams are eligible for the 2023 Innovation for Good award presented by Bridge Innovate.
If you have any questions, contact us at hello@bridgeinnovate.com.
Check out the winning submissions from the Fall 2023 Bright Spark® Invention Challenge! The winning individuals / teams receive a certificate and a $100 gift card.
Invention: “Rescue Automobile”
Student(s): Fares Rami Ja ouni
School: Pristine Private School, Dubai, UAE
Teacher / Sponsor: Michael John Salonga
Invention: “SatCom Star”
Student(s): Nilay Jain, Taher Aliasgar, Shubhum Vinod, & Harman Singh
School: Delhi Private School, Sharjah, UAE
Teacher / Sponsor: Anusha Madanagopal
Invention: “Quake Quest Band”
Student(s): Imeth Sanumitha
School: Pristine Private School, Dubai, UAE
Teacher / Sponsor: Michael John Salonga
Invention: “Disaster Saver”
Student(s): Tessa Bouder & Sorley Mercer
School: Selinsgrove Area Intermediate School, US
Teacher / Sponsor: Stacy Gasteiger
Invention: “Survival Tent”
Student(s): Freddy Manuel
School: Delhi Private School, Sharjah, UAE
Teacher / Sponsor: Anusha Madanagopal
Invention: “NDWS - Natural Disaster Warning System”
Student(s): Tyler Edgar, Michael Debuty, & Jacob Murray
School: East Hamilton Middle School, US
Teacher / Sponsor: Abigail Klett
Invention: “The Turbo Vac”
Student(s): Adom Tweneboah, Traveion Cook, Keon Finney, Koumba Cisse, Javion Harris, Serigne Babou, Aboubacar Diallo, Melanie Montero, & Keziah Adade
School: North Clayton Middle School, US
Teacher / Sponsor: Brittney Blackwell
Invention: “Rescue Automobile”
Student(s): Fares Rami Ja ouni
School: Pristine Private School, Dubai, UAE
Teacher / Sponsor: Michael John Salonga
Invention: “RuWell”
Student(s): Nirvaan Baljee
School: Ascend International Mumbai, India
Teacher / Sponsor: Anshu Rana
Every year, our valuable sponsor feedback highlights the inspiration, innovation, and joy that is cultivated by these students as they showcase their creative capacity. Some sponsors even see these competitions as a talent development opportunity and have offered internships to select college and high school students.
Contributing Sponsor
Awards Program Sponsor
Teacher Leadership Award Sponsor
Student Team Spirit Pack Sponsor
Teacher Appreciation Sponsor
District Scholarship
Team Scholarship
Make a general contribution
Gain unfiltered student inspiration for new products and services
Build your brand for investing in youth
Meet social responsibility goals investing in the future creative generation
Engage in a new channel for recruiting talent and interns
Build design thinking within your team by coaching others
For Students
Build creative confidence through solving real-world challenges
Collaborate with diverse teams and professionals
Spark potential internship and career opportunities
For Schools
Build student and educator creative confidence
Build stronger citizenship skills by providing opportunities to create community and business solutions
If you have any questions contact hello@bridgeinnovate.com
