Design and Innovation Challenge

Design and Innovation Challenge

At the conclusion of each semester, students are invited to compete in the Design & Innovation Challenge for monetary prizes and scholarships. 

Spring 2024 Design & Innovation Challenge Winners

TECH 120 First Place (Fly Ash Irrigation) $5,000 and Crowd Favorite $500

  • Jordon Lazaro, (Polytechnic)
  • Jacob Rocca, (Polytechnic)
  • Olivia LaDage, (Polytechnic)
  • Abe Farmer, (Polytechnic)
  • Easton Heiser, (Polytechnic)

TECH 120 First Place (User Friendly Terms & Conditions) $3,000

  • Madeline Stader, (Polytechnic)
  • Katie O’Daniel, (Exploratory)
  • Zehzhou Zhang, (Polytechnic)
  • Owen Wang, (Polytechnic)

TECH 220 First Place Team (Neurodivergent People) $1000

  • Pammie Lavery, Anthropology, Women & Gender Studies)
  • Elliot Martin, (Computer and Information Technology)
  • Glo Rudolph, (Studio Arts and Technology)
  • Jesse Stolberg, (Computer Science)

Tech 220 Second Place (Art Lovers) $500

  • Maria Chacon, (Psychological Science)
  • Madison Loyd, (UX Design)
  • TJ Murphy, (Accounting)
  • Jacob Milligan, (Construction Management)
  • Marina Perez, (Organizational Leadership)
  • Andrew Peterson, (Industrial Design)

Tech 220 Third Place Team (Gamers) $300

  • Justin Ake, (Organizational Leadership)
  • Spencer Beane, (Engineering First Year)
  • Kat Moore, (Anthropology, Linguistics)
  • Nick Rowland, (Mechanical Engineering)

Tech 220 Fourth Place Team (People Who Dislike Long Lines) $200

  • Jack Bolster, (Industrial Design)
  • Azaria Dunston, (UX Design)
  • Emma Miller (Organizational Leadership)
  • Drew Klopfenstein (Industrial Design)
  • Abigail Shook (Organizational Leadership)

TECH 34000/MGMT 39100 First Place (Hero) $3,000

  • Alexander Searles (Mechanical Engineering Technology)
  • Adam Gillette (Theater)

TECH 34000/MGMT 39100 Class Favorite (Athlete Alert) $500

  • Elizabeth Knea (Engineering Tech Teacher Education)
  • Alekhya Ankaraju (Agricultural Communication)
  • Drew Klopfenstein (Industrial Design)

Patient Safety Technology First Place (Pillendar) $2,500 (Sponsored by Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative)

  • Jenny Xiangqi Tang (Industrial Design)
  • Golnaz Safari (Visual Communication Design)
  • Hugo Li (UX Design)

Patient Safety Technology Second Place (Scout) $1,000 (Sponsored by Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative)

  • Evan Charles Kremer Reynon (Industrial Design)
  • Ambika Chauhan (Industrial Design)
  • Alan J. Yan (Industrial Design)

Patient Safety Technology Third Place (Nebu) $500 (Sponsored by Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative)

  • Austin Perkins (Industrial Design)
  • Lauren West (Industrial Design)

Fall 2023 Design & Innovation Challenge Winners

TECH 34000 First Place (Ozo Diaper Pail) $3,000

  • Jacob Rosko
  • Anthony Vivio

TECH 34000 Class Favorite (The Scoring Pickle) $500

  • Jasmine Chenet
  • Kirunda Kunyiha
  • Audrey Weiss

TECH 22000 First Place (Helping Color Blind People) $1000

  • Noah Boersma
  • John Hartzell
  • Aiden McClure
  • Madelynn Irvin
  • Mia Pursel
  • Addison Westrate

TECH 22000 Second Place (Rock Climbers) $500

  • Bryson Duff
  • Cordelia Eble
  • Joshua Huser
  • Morgan Dunagan
  • Kyrstin Roberts  

TECH 22000 Third place (SneakerHeads) $300

  • Rabha Bitat
  • Justin Bogner
  • Emma Fleshman
  • Lee Grimes
  • Jacky Zhang

TECH 22000 4th place (Engineers) $200

  • Christina Carter
  • Rachael Koscelnick
  • Esteban Martinez-Calderon
  • Sam Paliga
  • Jace Weaver

Spring 2023 Design & Innovation Challenge Winners

TECH 34000/MGMT 39100 First Place $3,000: Nudge

  • Brady Hawks, Industrial Design, minor in Design & Innovation
  • Cecilia Sanchez, Industrial Design, minor in Design & Innovation
  • Shannon Su, Industrial Design, minor in Design & Innovation

TECH 34000/MGMT 39100 Class Favorite: Scholarable $500

  • Bridget Arnold, Anthropology & Organizational Leadership, minor in Design & Innovation
  • Baylasan Al Shubbar, Cyber Security, minor in Design & Innovation

Design & Innovation Learning Community Top Innovators $1000 

  • William Solovei, Mechanical Engineering Technology, minor in Design & Innovation
  • Abigale Haluska, Computer Engineering, minor in Design & Innovation
  • Alysa Hernan, Engineering, minor in Design & Innovation
  • Ella McCoy, Integrated Business & Engineering, minor in Design & Innovation
  • Mary Phelan, Anthropology, Minor in Design & Innovation 
  • Cameron Gorski, Marketing, minor in Design & Innovation
  • Ju Na Lee, Electrical Engineering, minor in Design & Innovation

TECH 22000/ANTH 38400 First Place, 1,000: Helping Pilots 

  • Tristen Brideweser, Applied Mathematics                                                     
  • Pert Burns, Professional Flight Technology                                                   
  • Will Shumway, Anthropology and Economic major
  • Harsh Singhal, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Design

TECH 22000/ANTH 38400 2nd Place, $600: Helping Firefighters  

  • Kendra Beaton, Industrial Engineering
  • Nick Gardner, Industrial Engineering
  • Mitch Hekstra, Robotics Engineering Technology    
  • Grant Timms, Organizational Leadership      

TECH 22000/ANTH 38400 3rd Place, $400: Helping People Having Trouble Making Friends  

  • Ben Davenport, Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Lane Decker, Organizational Leadership 
  • Vitoria Machado Didone, Marketing
  • Elaina Poindexter, Organizational Leadership
  • Bruno Poloni, Industrial Engineering             

TECH 12000 Crowd Favorite, $500: Pilot HUD

  • Robbie DeVergillo, Aviation Management
  • James Drury, Electrical Engr Tech
  • Andrew Pagan, Aviation Technology
  • Carissa Seneczko, Aviation Technology
  • Ashley Trudeau, Aviation Technology

TECH 12000 1st Place, $5,000: Electromyography Mouse

  • Daniel Bryan, Aeronautic Engr Technology
  • Ethan Erickson, Interdisc Engr
  • Milo Pineau, Mech Engr Tech
  • Scott Rueben, Mfg Engineering Technology

TECH 12000 2nd Place, $3,000: Pilot HUD

  • Robbie DeVergillo, Aviation Management
  • James Drury, Electrical Engr Tech
  • Andrew Pagan, Aviation Technology
  • Carissa Seneczko, Aviation Technology
  • Ashley Trudeau, Aviation Technology