The Success Factory launched the 5th annual NexTech Hawai’i FishTank Sustainability Design Challenge on January 11, 2025. This year’s challenge is limited to Hawaii Island youth grades 5-8.

In this fun and inspiring learning experience, 49 students have begun to tackle tough, complex problems related to building a more Food-Secure future for Hawaii This cohort of students (the largest so far) accepted this year's challenge, with 16 teams from 13 Hawai’i Island schools competing for $6,600 scholarship awards and cash prizes. Boys and girls equally represent this year’s cohort.

Each competing team has chosen an imaginative name and a designated Team Coordinator—a parent, relative, teacher, coach, or any other adult advisor committed to mentoring the students throughout the challenge. Each team will receive a $250 mini-grant for expenses to support the development of their solution, such as the purchase of supplies and raw materials. In addition, the students are provided with an online Engineering Notebook to track their ideas and collaborate on work and progress reports.

NexTech spent the afternoon with curious 5th and 6th-grade students at the recent Hilo Union Science Day. We shared information about our STEM programs and upcoming events. Our Prusa 3D printer and Tello drone display garnered much attention and discussion.

Image courtesy of Dose Media

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