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Kindness Ripple

People supporting each other during a hike on a mountain.

In response to the growing global youth mental health crisis, students in the Spring 2026 Junior Academy Innovation Challenge developed Kindness Ripple, an app that uses anonymous messages of encouragement to reduce isolation and inspire a ripple effect of kindness and connection.

Published July 29, 2026

By Nicole Pope

Winner of the Junior Academy Challenge – Spring 2026

“Mental Well-being”

Sponsored by Stevens Initiative

Team Members: Charish (Cherry) C. (Team Lead) (New Jersey, United States), Sarara S. (New York, United States), Biying L. (New York, United States), Taleen F. (Jordan), Rayan Z. (Lebanon)

Mentor: Daniel Lindegger (Switzerland)

The growing prevalence of mental health issues, particularly among young people, is making headlines around the world. One in seven adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years old now experience mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, which can have a lasting impact and affect their future unless they are properly addressed. Teams participating in this Spring 2026 Junior Academy Innovation Challenge were asked to come up with an innovative approach to tackle this global problem.

Some members of the winning team, who devised an online community platform available on cellphones called, Kindness Ripple, were already aware of the widespread problem. “I had friends and family members struggling with mental health for reasons ranging from health to relationship losses,” says Team Lead Charish C. “Seeing these close to me, the topic felt really connected.” Others were taken aback by the magnitude and severity of the global mental health crisis. “To be honest, I used to think that some of the mental health struggles talked about on social media might be a bit exaggerated,” says team member Rayan Z. “But after diving deeper and hearing other points of view, I realized that these issues were really serious. It was an eye-opener for me.”

The winning students, from the United States, Lebanon and Jordan, felt moved to confront the isolation and anxiety that many of their peers face. In the US, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 44% of students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. “I learned that about one fifth of kids globally suffer from mental health disorders, which surprised me a lot,” explains team member Biying L. “I think this is because many places are under-resourced and don’t have access to treatment.”

Before selecting and combining the various elements of their solution, the students contacted numerous teenagers to get their perspectives. They wanted to include youth voices in their design process to ensure that the solution they were producing would meet these young people’s needs. They worked hard to incorporate these perspectives as well as the different approaches suggested by the team members. Overall, awareness of mental health issues has increased, but the students found that many teens still feel deeply uncomfortable with formal therapy systems. In many places, mental health services are also underfunded and access to support remains limited.

As they researched the topic further, the students learned that, as a result, approximately a third of teens turn to online resources for help with their mental health, but they tend to stop using these after a short period. Digging into the reasons for this lack of long-term engagement, the team concluded that existing online tools tended to be designed for adults, rather than teens. They also focus on journaling or mood tracking, and require a level of motivation that young people cannot muster when they’re struggling.

Building an online application, aimed specifically at adolescents and providing a sense of community appeared a good solution since most teens tend to spend time on their smartphone. However, the team wanted to design a platform that fostered kindness and connection. “We had some different perspectives for his project, but we were able to sort it out through talking,” says team member Sarara S. “We combined and rejected ideas as a team, ultimately allowing us to come up with a very good idea.” In the end, their teamwork produced Kindness Ripple, an app that provides support to those in need, and motivates users to create a ripple effect by passing on acts of kindness to others along the chain.

Through Kindness Ripple, users can send anonymous letters of support to break down the walls of isolation. The team felt that anonymity was crucial, as many adolescents who experience mental difficulties feel socially vulnerable. All messages are moderated by the board and AI to ensure a safe, protected environment. The students created the features in their online resource in response to studies showing that performing acts of kindness produces measurable increases in well-being; building social connection and strong peer relationships are among the most powerful coping strategies against adolescent anxiety and depression; and behavioral science shows that gamification can significantly boost engagement and foster habits. To promote engagement with Kindness Ripple over long periods, the team turned participation into a game. Users get points for sending letters and for acts of kindness, which they can then use to hatch, feed, and customize a Virtual Pet. In a test conducted with 22 young people, 86% expressed a strong interest in the pet feature.

The team hopes that their winning project will help teens struggling with mental health issues feel less alone. “My mindset has shifted from seeing mental health as a purely clinical issue to a community-based one,” concludes team member Taleen F. “For example, learning that school connectedness and peer support are major protective factors made me realize our app shouldn’t just be a solo tool, but a way to foster connection.”

Tether, The Bio-Acoustic Sentinel

A colorful graphic representing artificial intelligence.

In response to the challenge of harnessing AI for the benefit of humanity, students in the Spring 2026 Junior Academy Innovation Challenge developed Tether, an AI-powered tool that improves post-surgical care by supporting patients at home and keeping clinicians informed.

Published July 29, 2026

By Nicole Pope

A colorful graphic representing artificial intelligence.

Winner of the Junior Academy Challenge – Spring 2026

“Human Centered AI”

Sponsored by The New York Academy of Sciences

Team members: Nitya M. (Team Lead) (Sweden), Matilda S. (Sweden), Vivian W. (Delaware, United States), Veda S. (New York, United States), Ava G. (New York, United States), Arhan H. (United Arab Emirates)

Mentor: Sivaram S. (India)

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers great promise in a wide range of fields. The technology, in its multiple forms, is now spreading to all areas of our daily lives. Questions have also been raised: how to ensure that this powerful technology is used for the good of humanity and limits its misuse. This Junior Academy Spring 2026 challenge tasked young participants with designing an AI-based innovative solution that centers human beings.

After much consideration, the winning team produced a smart solution to a medical issue that is often neglected: the crisis that many surgery patients face after they are discharged from hospital. The students designed a user-friendly, disease-agnostic tool they called Tether, the Bio-Acoustic Sentinel, powered by smart technology, to complement – rather than replace – human-delivered health support. Their aim was twofold: to ensure that discharged patients do not feel isolated and confused when they return home; and give clinicians the information they need to check on a patient’s progress, thus maintaining the human touch at the heart of medicine. “While working on our project, as an aspiring medical professional, I was able to uncover and understand a lot more deeply what is known as the healthcare field,” explains team member Veda S. “It is more than just studying diseases and writing prescriptions. It is about the responsibility that we hold as a society to provide care that is equitable and accessible.”

Patients are usually tired, stressed, and particularly vulnerable post-surgery. Some 40% to 80% of them suffer from “post-hospital brain” and struggle to recall instructions given by the medical staff, unless these are repeated and strengthened within the first 72 hours. “Through surveying over 100 participants across multiple countries, we were able to connect with real individuals who experienced confusion with discharge instructions and hospital readmissions,” explains team member Ava G. “Hearing these perspectives made the issue feel immediate and personal, reinforcing the importance of designing solutions that are accessible, clear, and equitable for patients. It showed me that medicine is not just about treatment, but also about communication, accessibility, and community-centered design.”

Tether, which operates on cellphones, replaces clunky patient portals and can provide early warning signs of complications. When patients check in once a day by just speaking to their phone, AI analyzes their voice, detecting minute changes or “vocal jitter” that could signal cardiac stress or respiratory problems. Through Tether, discharged patients also receive simple instructions, free of medical jargon. To protect patients’ privacy, the data collected via the application is not uploaded to the cloud, but remains on the individual’s cellphone – though it can, evidently, be remotely monitored by clinicians. “Through this project, I learned that solving real-world problems is not just about ideas, but also about understanding people,” says team member Vivian W. “From our research and discussions, I saw how important it is to think about the needs of different communities when designing solutions.”

The team initially set out with the goal of designing a solution that could work in all healthcare systems, before narrowing their field to Sweden and the US – two countries that offered the best datasets on the issue they were targeting. “Whenever we disagreed we kept asking each other the same question, who are you thinking about: the older patient who barely uses a phone? The non-English speaker? The doctor with fifteen minutes between charts?” explains team member Arhan H. “Reframing every debate around a specific person turned arguments into design questions and from there we built together rather than against each other.” For maximum accessibility, the team opted to make their AI-powered resource a multilingual tool. “We designed Tether in 26 languages, so when the time comes it can serve new countries and systems without missing a beat,” explains Team Lead Nitya M. “This experience showed me that visionary thinking is important, but leadership actually means working through hard choices and trade-offs.”

Failure to provide sufficient post-discharge care results in 14-18% of patients being readmitted within 30 days due to support breakdown. Preventable readmissions and medication errors are estimated to cost the global economy $52.4 billion annually. Addressing the post-discharge crisis therefore brings numerous benefits. Aside from reassuring patients and supporting their recovery, Tether also acts as an efficiency multiplier, allowing medical staff to monitor several patients simultaneously. The team showed that the $50 monthly cost of operating Tether would be rapidly recouped by preventing unnecessary readmissions. “The combination of medicine and business was unknown to me,” says team member Matilda S. “Participating in this challenge gave me the opportunity to understand the connection between them and how it can bring immense value to medical professionals and patients.”

Marine Life Sustaining Wind Farms

An underwater shot.

As cities like New York expand offshore wind energy to meet renewable power goals, concerns remain about the impact windfarm infrastructure can have on marine ecosystems. In the Fall 2025 Junior Academy Challenge, one team proposed transforming wind turbines into reef-like living ecosystems that support marine animals and help them thrive rather than causing harm.

Published May 8, 2026

By Nicole Pope

An underwater shot.
Winner of the Junior Academy Challenge – Fall 2025
“Marine Biodiversity”

Sponsored by The New York Academy of Sciences and Empire Wind 1

Team members: Dakila G. (Team Lead) (New York, United States), Aizah Z. (New York, United States), Lucy L. (New York, United States), Biying L. (New York, United States), Mikaela V. (New York, United States), Anna L. (New York, United States)
Mentor: Krenare Bruqi (France)

Renewable energy enables societies around the world to meet growing demand for electricity without further exacerbating the effects of climate change. The teams of high-school students who participated in the Fall 2025 Junior Academy Challenge discovered, however, that while the benefits of renewable energy are undeniable, building the infrastructure for renewable energy sources such as windfarms and operating them can still impact the environment and local marine life.

“I learned that the overall establishment of a supposed environmentally friendly structure can have significant effect on the local ecosystem,” says Team Lead Dakila G. “This challenge taught me about the various ecological effects of offshore windfarms in marine biodiversity. Marine animals tend to dramatically decrease in number during construction due to noise and trawling effects.” As New York City plans to introduce new offshore windfarms to meet its commitment to achieving a fully renewable electricity grid within the next 15 years, challenge participants were tasked with finding innovative solutions to ensure that offshore wind farms can offer a truly sustainable energy source, allowing marine life to thrive.

A Wide Range of Marine Biodiversity

“Our community in New York City is home to a wide range of marine biodiversity, from fish and birds to marsh plants and shellfish,” explains team member Lucy L. “It is essential to find solutions to protect these habitats and ecosystems since they play a major role in keeping our environment clean.” Wind is an abundant resource, which peaks in the afternoon and evening, just when energy demands rise and wind farms form an important part of the city’s energy development plans.

As a first step toward developing their BioTurbine Collective solution, the team researched the various aspects of offshore windfarms that can disturb or damage the marine environment. “During construction, noise, habitat destruction, and displacement force marine animals to migrate, disrupt communication, and increase the risk of biodiversity loss, which harms the ecosystem’s balance,” says team member Mikaela V. “Furthermore, I realized how strongly the ocean is affected by human actions and how important it is to design wind farms efficiently to reduce all the negative impacts to try to protect our ocean, therefore, our planet.”

Real World Problem Solving

The disruption is not limited to the construction stage. The rotating wind turbines can alter currents and water movement and impact the distribution of plankton and other nutrients that marine species rely on. The noise the wind farms emit can affect navigation and communication among marine life while cables generate electromagnetic fields.

“This topic required real world problem solving skills and strong collaboration skills with my peers,” explains Anna L. “We had to analyze all the layers interconnected within a single topic, as a group we had to consider the scientific, social and environmental factors to our solution. We had to research, collaborate and bring our utmost creativity skills.” The brainstorming among team members paid off, and they focused their efforts on a novel solution: Turning the wind turbines into reef-like, living ecosystems that support marine animals and enable them to thrive, rather than harming them. 

To achieve this result, their design incorporates several innovative elements. Turbine foundations are built of eco-friendly materials such as limestone and recycled concrete to create safe homes for fish, bivalves, crabs, shrimps and other sea creatures. Bubble curtains reduce construction noise by up to 95%, protecting sensitive species like marine birds and pelagic fish. Water is kept clean by shellfish reefs and kelp forests that remove nitrogen and phosphorus, while also providing shelter and nutrition to marine species.

The team also envisages blocking trawl fishing around the turbines to prevent overfishing and support the recovery of fish populations. The BioTurbine Collective team added smart technology components to their project with underwater cameras and eDNA monitoring systems to provide visuals and data on the animals and their behavior. The students envisaged using 3-D printers to craft the artificial reefs that will add more shellfish habitats.

Testing Their Approach

The team members tested their approach, using an environmental simulation model, Ecopath. The results were exciting and showed clear signs of biodiversity improvements. Reef fish (+40%), bivalves (+30%) and crustaceans in particular increased in number significantly. They also found that trawl exclusion produced strong gains, especially for bottom-dwelling species. Noise and electromagnetic field reduction had more limited effects but still contributed to protecting sensitive species like sharks and birds.

“My teammates were really dedicated people and had a genuine interest in marine biodiversity,” says team member Biying L., explaining that participants had varying interpretations of the problem at first. Through intense and convivial discussions, they arrived at a solution. “We had diverse and meaningful ideas that came together well.” For the students, the challenge offered a valuable opportunity to apply their skills to real-world problems while learning and collaborating with their peers.

“Throughout this challenge, I have been exposed to various new topics and have been able to expand my knowledge with regard to marine biodiversity and how we can help encourage it,” says team member Aizah Z. “Overall, this project has allowed me to develop new skills such as thinking outside of the box by teaching me a significant amount about marine biodiversity and also assisting with collaboration.”

Save2Serve

Organic composting.

As global food waste continues despite widespread hunger, the winning team in the Fall 2025 Junior Academy Innovation Challenge focused on reducing post-harvest losses in Sub-Saharan Africa by designing an affordable cooling transport system to keep produce fresh longer.

Published May 8, 2026

By Nicole Pope

Organic composting.
A series of different logos.
Winner of the Junior Academy Challenge – Fall 2025
“Food Waste”

Sponsored by Stevens Initiative

Team members: Jana H. (Team Lead) (Egypt), Louay C. (Tunisia), Tiffany G. (Massachusetts, United States), Neev H. (Virginia, United States), Adam A. (Egypt), Salwa A. (Egypt)
Mentor: Brisa Torres (Germany)

All over the world, up to one billion meals are wasted every day, according to a United Nations study. In fact, some estimates suggest that about one third of all food produced is wasted on the journey from farm to fork. At the same time, over 700 million people have limited access to nutritious meals and go hungry. Clearly, urgent action is needed to tackle food waste. The teams participating in the Fall 2025 Junior Academy Innovation Challenge sought to do just that by developing innovative approaches to prevent food from going bad before it can be consumed.

Members of the winning team, who called their project Save2Serve, explored the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where up to 50% of fruits and vegetables spoil before reaching markets. They found that, due to the lack of affordable cold-chain transport, post-harvest food loss is one of the major obstacles to food security and economic stability in many countries of the region.

“Learning about the communities in Sub-Saharan Africa changed my understanding of the problem. I knew food waste was a global issue, but I didn’t realize how often people lose food simply because they cannot keep it cold during transport,” admits team member Tiffany G. “Limited access to reliable refrigeration makes it hard for farmers and sellers to protect what they grow.”

Exploring All Aspects

While developing their solution, the team delved into all aspects of the problem. “This challenge has been such an incredible learning opportunity. I genuinely gained a lot of knowledge from not only researching solutions, but also connecting with my teammates,” says team member Neev H. “Having intellectual conversations with peers from around the world was eye-opening to me, and I’m extremely grateful to have had this opportunity.” In addition to impacting the lives of local communities and costing the countries of the region billions of dollars, food waste also accounts for around 9% of global greenhouse emissions and a third of the world’s agricultural land is used unproductively.

For the team, working on this project was eye-opening. “This experience has profoundly impacted my awareness of food waste and the many factors that contribute to it. I realized how often food is discarded not because it is inedible but due to aesthetic standards or logistical limitations like insufficient refrigerated transport,” explains Team Lead Jana H. “Ultimately, this reflection has deepened my commitment to addressing food waste and its broader implications. The experience was a reminder that meaningful change starts with awareness and determination to act.”

Farmers in SSA often transport their produce in poorly insulated or even open trucks, leaving the food exposed to high temperatures. Traditional refrigerated trucks are often too costly to purchase, their fuel consumption is high, and they require regular maintenance that many farmers can’t afford.

An Ingenious Solution

The students came up with an ingenious solution, which involves retrofitting trucks with solar panels and vacuum-insulated panels to provide cool transport at lower cost. “Working on our retrofit truck idea made me dive deep into things I never would’ve before. It also taught me a lot about how the food chain works,” says team member Salwa A. “Throughout the project, I learned a lot from my teammates and enjoyed working with them. When we had different perspectives, we discussed them and focused on what would make a difference for our community.”

Their innovative, hybrid cooling system involves fitting solar panels on the roof of the truck to power a DC compressor. They equipped the interior walls of the truck with phase change material (PCM) panels, which serve as thermal batteries filled with paraffin wax. The PCM panels freeze at a set temperature to store cold energy and keep the cargo cool for long periods without running the compressor. Humidity and temperature sensors enable close monitoring of the cargo bay, allowing the driver to start the compressor if needed to prevent food spoilage.

The Potential Impact

To measure the potential impact of their new design, the team used artificial intelligence (AI) to run a system simulation. Their analysis revealed that their retrofit system could reduce energy use by 35% and operational costs by 25% with an initial investment much lower than the cost of a traditional truck. In their retrofitted vehicle, sensitive crops like tomatoes could be transported to market at a stable temperature of around 13oC, thus significantly reducing spoilage rates.

Identifying the elements of their solution and working on their project presentation involved intense online collaboration between the members of this international team, under the supervision of their mentor. “This project helped me develop confidence in sharing my ideas, even when I wasn’t completely sure they were perfect,” explains team member Adam A. “Every meeting taught me something new — not just about our topic, but about teamwork, respect, and what it means to truly listen.”

To ensure their solution was practical and met local needs, the participants conducted community surveys, which showed that, overall, respondents found their approach realistic and workable. The team also contacted experts for feedback and suggestions for further refinement of their hybrid cooling system. “This balanced experience of tackling a pressing issue in the African continent made me more aware of how responsible youth can be,” says team member Louay C. “It showed me how people from completely different backgrounds and fields can unify around a single goal and a single problem to be solved.”

Radiantis: Solar in Structure

Solar panels.

As rising global energy demand increases pressure to expand renewable power sources, in particular solar power, the winning team in the Fall 2025 Junior Academy Innovation Challenge developed an automated system to keep solar panels clean and operating efficiently.

Published May 8, 2026

By Nicole Pope

Solar panels.
Winner of the Junior Academy Challenge – Fall 2025
“Energy Infrastructure: Solar Power”

Sponsored by The New York Academy of Sciences

Team members: Hosila K. (Team Lead) (Uzbekistan), Yifan (Trevor) X. (China), Mohammed A. (Egypt), Nazli M. (Azerbaijan), Ruiheng (Ryan) W. (China), Lowri P. (United Kingdom)
Mentor: Ranjit Sahu (Virginia, United States)

Demand for energy keeps growing around the world, boosted in part by power-intensive new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Increasing energy production from renewable sources – solar power, in particular – is an obvious choice to curb greenhouse emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. But issues like aging power grids designed for fossil fuels or fluctuations in solar energy output still hinder the adoption of renewable energy in some countries.

The teams participating in the Fall 2025 Junior Academy Innovation Challenge were asked to design an innovative and scalable solution to address infrastructure and storage issues, andmake solar energy use more reliable, efficient, and economical. The six international members of the winning team, from China, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, and the United Kingdom, focused on developing automatic systems to keep solar panels clean, thus ensuring they can function at maximum capacity.

Initial Research

The team’s initial research revealed that solar panels can lose 10-15% of their efficiency, and up to 25% in arid regions, in just a few weeks. This translates into up to $10 billion losses annually for the industry. To promote wider adoption of solar power, the participants decided to tackle the maintenance of solar panels, an often overlooked but crucial aspect of solar energy. “I was shocked to learn that ‘soiling’ dust building up on panels is actually a multi-billion-dollar problem that can slash efficiency by more than 25%,” explains Team Lead Hosila H. “That showed me maintenance and technical issues are just as important as affordability in the clean energy transition.”

Collaborating online through the Launchpad platform, the participants designed the Distributed Predicted Reflex System (DPR), a sophisticated, self-operating device that keeps solar panels clean without human intervention and thus optimizes power generation. “Through mutual collaboration, we transitioned from initially working independently to making progress as a group, supporting each other with a clear division of labor,” says Ruiheng (Ryan) W., who offers a reminder that ensuring access to  “affordable and clean energy like solar power, and ensuring people benefit from technological convenience and harmonious communities” is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the UN 2030 Agenda.

A Fully Autonomous Solution

Internally, their 3D model includes a processor, the system’s brain, which monitors dust buildup, as well as DC motors and relays to activate the cleaning mechanisms. The exterior design features two antennas (a short-range Zigbee for local mesh networking and a long-range LoRaWN for cloud communication). A waterproof casing integrates power inputs from the solar panels, environmental sensor ports, and nozzle outlets for targeted air-jet cleaning. The system can be mounted securely to solar panel frames and draws power directly from the host panel. When sensors detect levels of soiling that disrupt power generation, compressed air travelling through the tubes is released to remove accumulated dust.

To make their solution fully autonomous, the team members gave their system three core attributes or functions. They made it “distributed”, which means that devices form a local network that works even if central communication fails. The DPR is also “predictive” and can forecast coming dust storms using weather data and act in advance. The DPR was given a “reflex” function, using sensors and smart algorithms to detect dust and activate air-based cleaning automatically. “The most important lesson I learned is that innovation is not only about having a big idea, but also about smart execution, strong team spirit, solid research, and the dedication of all team members,” says team member Mohammed A.

An Ambitious Project

With this ambitious project, the team aimed to turn solar panels into fully responsive assets that can maintain peak efficiency while supporting grid stability. Team member Yifan (Trevor) X. was already interested in solar power before working on this project with his international teammates. “Previously, I independently completed a prototype design for a solar cleaning vessel,” he explains. “This team collaboration made me realize that regular discussions and phased progress can achieve research goals more effectively. This further strengthened my belief in international scientific cooperation.”

While designing their project, the high school students also focused closely on sustainability and environmental impact. They estimated that the DPR, deployed in a 1 MW solar farm, could save 1 million liters of water annually, or the equivalent of drinking water for 2,500 people, while the energy recovered through cleaning would be sufficient to power an additional 200 homes.

“Academically, I realized that for a project to be successful, you have to consider an array of factors and consequences, even if they go against what you are trying to propose,” says team member Lowri P. The device they conceived has a modular design, which makes it easy to repair, and is built to last at least seven years. More than 90% of the components can be recycled at the end of its life.

“Working together with others helps you see the world through different perspectives and appreciate the power of teamwork in achieving meaningful outcomes,” says team member Nazli M. “This experience taught me that innovation is not about having access to the best resources — it’s about creativity, collaboration, and determination. Even with limited resources, it’s possible to create something truly significant.”

Energy Infrastructure: Solar Power

Solar panels.

Winners

The winning team, Radiantis Solar in Structure, had a futuristic approach in designing an innovative and scalable solution to improve electrical infrastructure and/or energy storage technology in order to make solar energy use more reliable, efficient, and economical for meeting the energy demands of technology and society.

Team members: 

  • Hosila K. (Team Lead) (Uzbekistan)
  • Yifan (Trevor) X. (China)
  • Mohammed A. (Egypt)
  • Nazli M. (Azerbaijan)
  • Ruiheng (Ryan) W. (China)
  • Lowri P. (United Kingdom)

Mentor: Ranjit Sahu (Virginia, United States)

Read More

Eligibility

  • This challenge is open to all Junior Academy students.
  • Maximum of six (6) students per team, plus one (1) mentor.

Overview

In an increasingly electrified world, shifting from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy is necessary to sustainably meet the growing demand. Making this transition will require 2 areas of innovation:

  1. Retrofitting current infrastructure, building new solar-ready infrastructure, and/or replacing aging power grids originally built to rely on fossil fuels.
  2. Technology that allows for the efficient and reliable distribution of solar power from areas and times of high solar input to areas and times of high electricity demand.

What innovative solution could you design to make the shift from traditional energy sources to renewable solar energy a reality?

Challenge

Design an innovative and scalable solution to improve electrical infrastructure and/or energy storage technology in order to make solar energy use more reliable, efficient, and economical for meeting the energy demands of technology and society.

Consider the following when designing your solution:

  • What level will you focus your solution on? Individual households or buildings? City infrastructure? Regional power grids? Agriculture? Nomadic communities?
  • What geographical or governmental region will you focus your solution on? What are the most urgent energy challenges in this region? How can your solution be scaled to other regions?
  • What are the supply, demand, distribution needs, and storage capabilities of electricity for your specific territory or geographical location?
  • What might be the cost of your solution? Will it be affordable for your focus audience?
  • How might retrofitting be part of your solution?
  • How could Artificial Intelligence (AI) be incorporated into your solution? Identifying ideal locations for retrofitting existing infrastructure? Managing energy flow? Managing energy use and storage? Through machine learning? Diagnosing and/or responding to system or grid fluctuations? Something else?
  • How can you use available data and research to inform or test your solution?
  • How will you prototype your solution?
  • Could your solution be expanded to other renewable energy sources such as wind or geothermal?

See the challenge course syllabus.

Success Evaluation Criteria

Solutions will be judged based on the following criteria:

  • Innovation and Design Thinking: Is the design and approach unique and/or innovative? Does the design show a high degree of originality and imagination?
  • Scientific Quality: Are the appropriate references and analytical methods used and are the insights derived correctly?
  • Presentation Quality: Is this concept concisely and clearly explained? Are the findings/recommendations communicated clearly and persuasively?
  • Commercial Viability/Potential: Does the solution have the potential to make a difference?
  • Sustainability: What is the social impact on local communities? How does the solution incorporate positive environmental or social objectives? Is the solution in line with a sustainable or justice focused future?
  • Teamwork and collaboration: Was the experience a collaborative endeavor? Was the knowledge gained from the experience reflected upon and tied back to a civic engagement mindset? (From Personal Reflections)

Sponsor

Food Waste

Organic composting.

Eligibility

  • This challenge is only open to Junior Academy students from the USA and countries in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Mentors can be from any country.
  • Maximum of six (6) students per team, plus one (1) mentor.

Overview

Nearly one third of all food worldwide goes to waste somewhere in the journey from farm to plate. The issue is not limited to wealthier countries, but causes of the waste vary by country and region, and the impact is not equitable. Preventing the billion metric tons of food wasted each year could reduce world hunger, minimize greenhouse gasses, and prevent habitat and biodiversity loss across the globe. In this challenge, you are asked to design innovative technological and social solutions that reduce food waste with an eye towards promoting sustainability, equity, and responsible consumption.

Challenge

Design an innovative, scalable solution that helps reduce food waste at the local level (household, local restaurants, retail) or at the regional level (agriculture), while promoting sustainability, equity, and responsible consumption.

Consider the following when designing your solution:

  • What type of food waste will your solution address?
    • Household waste? Restaurant or grocery waste?
    • Specific foods such as fresh vegetables? Meat? Dry goods?
    • Specific harvests or regions?
    • Something else?
  • How can your solution be available to and adopted by the entire community?
  • How will you approach the problem? Will you take a technology approach or a social approach?
  • How can your solution address equity issues in food availability?
    • How might you integrate community co-design into your solution?
    • How might your solution be scaled to impact other regions or other countries?
  • How can you keep the cost of your solution low enough to encourage implementation?
  • How sustainable is your solution? 
  • What region or community might your solution impact the most?
  • What public policy might be needed to support or implement your solution?

See the challenge course syllabus.

Success Evaluation Criteria

Solutions will be judged based on the following criteria:

  • Innovation and Design Thinking: Is the design and approach unique and/or innovative? Does the design show a high degree of originality and imagination?
  • Scientific Quality: Are the appropriate references and analytical methods used and are the insights derived correctly?
  • Presentation Quality: Is this concept concisely and clearly explained? Are the findings/recommendations communicated clearly and persuasively?
  • Commercial Viability/Potential: Does the solution have the potential to make a difference?
  • Sustainability: What is the social impact on local communities? How does the solution incorporate positive environmental or social objectives? Is the solution in line with a sustainable or justice focused future?
  • Teamwork and collaboration: Was the experience a collaborative endeavor? Was the knowledge gained from the experience reflected upon and tied back to a civic engagement mindset? (From Personal Reflections)

Winners

The winning team, Save2Serve, had a creative and innovative approach of designing an innovative, scalable solution that helps reduce food waste at the local level (household, local restaurants, retail) or at the regional level (agriculture), while promoting sustainability, equity, and responsible consumption.

Team members: 

  • Jana H. (Team Lead) (Egypt)
  • Louay C. (Tunisia)
  • Tiffany G. (Massachusetts, United States)
  • Neev H. (Virginia, United States)
  • Adam A. (Egypt)
  • Salwa A. (Egypt)

Mentor: Brisa Torres (Germany)

Read More

Sponsors

The Junior Academy is implemented by The New York Academy of Sciences and is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.

Marine Biodiversity

An underwater shot.

Winners

The winning team, BioTurbine Collective (Marine Life Sustaining Wind Farms), had an innovative approach of finding ways to support marine biodiversity by creating or improving marine habitats within or around offshore wind farms, while also minimizing disruption and damage to the ocean floor and water column during installation and operation.

Team members: 

  • Dakila G. (Team Lead) (New York, United States)
  • Aizah Z. (New York, United States)
  • Lucy L. (New York, United States)
  • Biying L. (New York, United States)
  • Mikaela V. (New York, United States)
  • Anna L. (New York, United States)

Mentor: Krenare Bruqi (France)

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Eligibility

  • This challenge is open to Junior Academy students who are residents of one of the 5 boroughs of New York City.
  • Maximum of six (6) students per team, plus one (1) mentor.

Overview

Offshore wind farms can offer a renewable energy source to meet the growing demand for energy of coastal communities and cities around the world, but there are also some environmental drawbacks. The construction and presence of wind turbines can disrupt marine life behavior, damage sensitive marine habitats, and reduce biodiversity in marine communities. This challenge asks you to design and plan offshore wind farms with the least negative impact on marine life that support and even increase biodiversity. How could you make offshore wind energy truly sustainable?

Challenge

Design an innovative solution that supports marine biodiversity by creating or improving marine habitats within or around offshore wind farms, while also minimizing disruption and damage to the ocean floor and water column during installation and operation.

Consider the following when designing your solution:

  • How could your solution also incorporate strategies for ongoing environmental monitoring and mitigation to ensure long-term ecosystem health?
  • What will motivate industry to implement your solution?
  • What policies might need to be implemented at the government level to fully realize your solution?
  • How will materials be sourced? Will there be a downstream environmental impact?
  • What will your solution cost? Will it be a practical choice?

See the challenge course syllabus.

Success Evaluation Criteria

Solutions will be judged based on the following criteria:

  • Innovation and Design Thinking: Is the design and approach unique and/or innovative? Does the design show a high degree of originality and imagination?
  • Scientific Quality: Are the appropriate references and analytical methods used and are the insights derived correctly?
  • Presentation Quality: Is this concept concisely and clearly explained? Are the findings/recommendations communicated clearly and persuasively?
  • Commercial Viability/Potential: Does the solution have the potential to make a difference?
  • Sustainability: What is the social impact on local communities? How does the solution incorporate positive environmental or social objectives? Is the solution in line with a sustainable or justice focused future?
  • Teamwork and collaboration: Was the experience a collaborative endeavor? Was the knowledge gained from the experience reflected upon and tied back to a civic engagement mindset? (From Personal Reflections)

Sponsor

Combating Extreme Heat Environments through Technology Architecture Infrastructure and Urbanization

A woman hiking, looking at a series of structures that appear to be from an old civilization.
Winner of the Junior Academy Challenge – Spring 2025
“Living in the Extremes”

Sponsored by The New York Academy of Sciences

Published August 5, 2025

By Nicole Pope

Team members: Katelyn G. (Team Lead) (California, United States), Rishab S. (India), Adham M. (Egypt), Youssef I. (Egypt), Shravika S. (Virginia, United States)
Mentor: Anavi Jain (Tennessee, United States)

As record-breaking temperatures due to the climate crisis become more common around the world, especially in vulnerable regions like the Middle East, South Asia, and the southwestern United States, more than 1.2 billion people are at risk of heat stress. Areas that were already hot — such as Death Valley in California — are now experiencing conditions that regularly exceed historical records, with temperatures soaring above 134°F (56.7°C). The five international members of the winning team set themselves a clear objective: finding an innovative approach to improve the housing and living environment for communities living in scorching heat.

To devise their creative project – a housing and living concept they called Technology Architecture Infrastructure Urbanization (TAIU) – the high-school students, from the United States, Egypt, and India, held multiple online discussions, exchanging ideas across borders and time zones. In the course of their research, they learned that modern infrastructure and architecture have not kept pace with climate change. In fact, urban settings often amplify the impact of high temperatures – with asphalt and buildings made of concrete, steel, and glass retaining heat rather than deflecting it.

The team explored various building techniques and cooling methods. Historically, communities living in hot climates used passive designs, such as thick, breathable walls, shaded courtyards, and reflective surfaces to keep living spaces cool. “While my teammates leaned towards modern solutions, I advocated for a blend of traditional methods with contemporary technologies,” explains teammate Shravika S. Discussions were at times intense but always collegial while the students were developing their concept. They reached decisions democratically, under the supervision of the team’s mentor.

A Vision Emerges

From their brainstorming, a vision emerged: a sustainable project that creates a safer and more comfortable environment for people living in hot climates, without resorting to costly and energy-intensive technologies that put further strain on the planet. “By fusing ancient wisdom with future-ready innovation, TAIU offers not just shelter from the heat but a blueprint for thriving in it. With each structure we build, we’re not only cooling homes — we’re restoring hope, equity, and the possibility of a livable future for the world’s hottest regions,” the students explained in their presentation.

Inspired by Nubian architecture, their project rests on four pillars:

  • 1. Smart technology – an adaptive roof that tilts and rotates to optimize ventilation, glass that tints in response to sunlight, and phase change materials that regulate indoor temperature;
  • 2. Indoor design that blends Nubian pottery materials with passive cooling techniques to improve air flow and create breathable spaces;
  • 3. The TAIU App – a smart home system that controls the roof and provides real-time climate and energy updates; and
  • 4. Outdoor features, such as shaded areas, hydration stations, and solar-powered resilience centers that provide services and spaces where the community can gather.

“I gained valuable insight into the needs and challenges faced by the community we studied — Death Valley — where living in extreme heat demands both modern and traditional solutions,” explains teammate Adham M. “One of my biggest takeaways is realizing that blending smart technologies like smart windows and smart roofs with time-tested methods like clay construction can offer sustainable, effective ways to adapt to harsh environments.”

Conducting a Survey

To test their approach, the team consulted architects, engineers and environmental experts. A survey conducted among 248 people living in hot regions yielded useful suggestions that the team applied to finetune their design, such as expanding the use of clay insulation and rerouting cooling pipes within wall cavities. Early results from laboratory and field tests of traditional pottery composites confirmed that special clay blends can reduce indoor peak temperatures by up to 5oF.

While working on their project, the students gained new insights into the devastating effects of climate change. “I realized that air conditioning is affecting not only my life but also those who are yet to come,” says team member Rishab S. “I adopted several measures to reduce the use of air-conditioners. I started wearing lighter clothes, consuming drinks that cool down our bodies, and using windows for proper ventilation.”

Team member Youssef I. feels he has acquired new knowledge and skills, including a deeper understanding of modelling since he was responsible for producing the 3D housing model. But he also emphasizes many other benefits, such as communicating with people from different communities and cultural backgrounds and forming new friendships. For team leader Katelyn G., this Junior Academy Challenge was more than an academic experience. “It was a glimpse into the kind of changemaker I strive to become,” she explains. “From the very beginning, we weren’t just building a climate resilience solution; we were building trust across time zones, merging perspectives, and learning to lead with both head and heart.”

Learn more about the Junior Academy.

Eco-twisters

A woman wearing a facemask looks out from her balcony to a hazy, air polluted city skyline.
Winner of the Junior Academy Challenge – Spring 2025
“Air Quality & Health”

Sponsored by Stevens Initiative

Published August 5, 2025

By Nicole Pope

Team members: Kelsey M. (Team Lead) (California, United States), Hana H. (Egypt), Zoha H. (North Carolina, United States), Islam H. (Saudi Arabia), Sanaya M. (New Jersey, United States), Kavish S. (North Carolina, United States)
Mentor: Brisa Torres (Germany)

Indoor air pollution, caused largely by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide (CO2), presents major risks for human health. Globally 2.6 billion people are exposed to household air pollution, mostly from cooking with kerosene, solid fuels like wood, charcoal, coal or dung, and inefficient stoves. As a result, they face the risk of respiratory or heart diseases, cancer, and damage to organs like the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system.

When they joined the spring 2025 Air Quality and Health Junior Academy Challenge, this team of six high school students from the United States, Egypt and Saudi Arabia chose to address this often-neglected threat. “I learned so much about indoor air pollution and how it often gets overlooked, especially in communities that use kerosene or other fuel-based cooking methods,” says team member Islam H. “The more we researched, the more I realized how widespread this issue is, and how it’s especially harmful in areas with limited access to clean energy solutions.”

Before developing their winning Eco-Twister Air Filter device, the team members conducted research and brainstormed extensively online to define their approach and whether to prioritize cost, portability, or advanced technology. Their project draws on their varied skillsets and perspectives: one team member had experience in public health research, others excelled in experimental design or robotics, or brought an interest in coding or data analysis.

“We all had different ways we wanted to make the air filter at first: some suggesting we use high technology and equipment, others saying we should stick with everyday home materials,” explains teammate Zoha H. “Later on, we debated on how to redesign our filter and decided to cater towards low-income communities more and made it smaller as well as cheaper.”

Reducing VOCs and CO2

To reduce the levels of harmful indoor gases like VOCs and CO2 that stem mostly from cooking emissions, the winning team opted to design an affordable, do-it-yourself (DIY) air filter. Commercially available filters, costing between $200-$400, are out of reach for families with limited income. “Equity and inclusivity were central to our project,” says team leader Kelsey M. “We designed the filter to be affordable, our second prototype cost about $41.10, and DIY, targeting low-income communities disproportionately affected by air pollution.”

The Eco-Twister combines the capabilities of a MERV 13 filter to capture dust, pollen and tiny particles, and activated charcoal to absorb VOCs and CO2 and reduce both odors and harmful gases. They added sphagnum moss as a third, natural, component to boost the effectiveness of their innovative filter. Moss traps larger particles, heavy metals, and enhances sustainability by metabolizing VOCs. 

After producing an initial prototype, the team went on to improve their design, making a second version of the device 95% smaller as well as lighter and cheaper. “We realized what would be the most achievable and which items would be easiest to source, as our project is affordable and easy for anyone to make by themselves,” says team member Sanaya M. “When redesigning our solution, we prioritized accessibility and eco-friendliness and ended up reducing the size.”

Greater Portability and Promising Findings

This meant using one filter instead of four, which resulted in much greater portability. The team conducted tests to measure the reduction in harmful emissions their revised Eco-Twister Air Filter achieved. They were delighted when results showed that the Eco-Twister reduced peak VOC concentration by 40.8% and also accelerated VOC removal and air recovery, competing favorably with more expensive devices.

The team also conducted a survey in their communities, which revealed that 95% of the 40 respondents would be interested in using the 14-inch x 16-inch x 2-inch Eco-Twister device, which weighs 5.5lbs. Over three quarters of those surveyed found the team’s ingenious air filter affordable and more than 80% stated they would use it daily.

For the participating students, the project has been a valuable learning experience. Discussions within the group exposed them to different points of view and taught them to reach an optimal outcome by weighing multiple requirements. “My teammates who pushed for portability for low-income families got me thinking about who’d actually use it,” explains teammate Kavish S. “Also, the eco-friendly folks opened my eyes to using sustainable stuff like moss, which I hadn’t thought about before.”

The team has plans for future iterations of the Eco-Twister filter, which would use bamboo-based charcoal and biodegradable materials for enhanced sustainability. “I used to figure that air pollution was someone else’s issue, but seeing that 100% of our survey folks thought our filter could help, opened my eyes,” reflects team member Hana H. “People in poorer areas are getting sick from bad air with no good options.”

Learn more about the Junior Academy.

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