Christopher Columbus Gold Medal Award
Today’s middle school students are the Innovation Generation — everyday kids with untapped potential who are creative problem-solvers. Unlocking that potential is the mission of the Christopher Columbus Awards program, a cutting-edge national competition that combines science and technology with community problem-solving in a real-world setting.
The competition is open to all students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Students work in teams of three or four with an adult coach to identify a problem they care about and use science and technology to develop an innovative solution. They work with experts, conduct research and put their ideas to the test, just like adult scientists.
Two teams will receive Gold Medal Awards, which entitles each team member to a gold medal and a $2,000 scholarship.
For more information and to enter, visit the Christopher Columbus Awards website.
Here is a partial list of past recipients.
IllumaCoach Saddle Brook Middle School Saddle Brook, NJ Problem: Difficulties of deaf students participating in sports. Solution: Invented a new communication system to assist deaf students competing on local soccer teams. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition […]
Clean Smilers Davis Drive Middle School Apex, NC Problem: Clean teeth for kids with braces. Solution: Perfected a toothbrush to clean in the nooks and crannies of braces. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition is geared toward […]
Hot Rot Bexley Middle School Bexley, OH Problem: Wasted heat from composte piles. Solution: Development of a prototype system for heating water using “compost energy.” At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition is geared toward middle school-age children, […]
Kiddie Katcher Millennium Middle School Sanford, FL Problem: Crib-related accidents. Solution: A net attached to the side of the crib which deploys and catches the child if it falls out of the crib. The net folds up flush when the crib is not in use. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney […]
Batty 4 Bats St. Therese School Parkville, MO Problem: Endangered bats in Missouri. Solution: Educating people on the positive environmental impact of bats. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition is geared toward middle school-age children, and gives […]
Pak Rax Millennium Middle School Sanford, FL Problem: Safety hazard of backpacks, instrument cases and other items in the event of a bus accident. Solution: The Pak Rax is an effective under-seat storage system designed to hold loose items. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in […]
Eazy Zap Cap Cold Spring Harbor Middle School Cold Spring Harbor, NY Problem: Arthritis suffers and others have difficulty opening childproof containers. Solution: Eazy Zap Cap is a device that allows containers to be opened without bending afflicted joints. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in […]
The Historical Energy Mill Summit Middle School Boulder, CO Problem: Dependency on fossil fuel. Solution: Creation of a micro windmill to harness the winds’ power. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition is geared toward middle school-age children, […]
Trash Challenge Roosevelt Elementary School Elkhardt, IN Problem: Increasing amount of waste generated by businesses. Solution: Recycling program designed specifically for offices. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition is geared toward middle school-age children, and gives kids […]
School Courtyard Upper Freehold Regional Elementary School Allentown, NJ Problem: Lack of funding left an unfinished school courtyard. Solution: Development of the courtyard into a functional classroom setting. At an awards ceremony held at Epcot at Walt Disney World, finalist teams receive $36,000 in savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition is geared toward […]
