Demonstrating its commitment to the next generation of problem solvers, the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey (ELFNJ) provided  $8,500 in prize money to student teams from the high school division of the New Jersey School Boards Association’s STEAM Tank Challenge Finals. 

Co-sponsored by the U.S. Army, the event was held on May 22, 2025 at NJSBA Headquarters in Trenton, where more than 50 talented students showcased their innovative projects focused on solutions to address real-world problems including sustainability, health, equity and safety for all residents. The student teams presented their projects to a panel of judges composed of representatives from the public and private sectors as well as higher education.  

The STEAM Tank Challenge promotes education in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. STEAM Tank is designed to motivate students to move beyond traditional classroom boundaries and enrich their educational experiences through community engagement while building 21st Century skills  focusing on collaboration, critical thinking and promoting career-ready skills. It is more than a competition. It is a year-round, free K-12 educational experience open to all New Jersey public school students. 

Group of students posing with a giant check
The “Bacilli Baddies” team from Passaic County Technical Institute finished in first place and were awarded $2,500. (Left to right) Jennifer Siehl, Senior Manager, Steam Tank, Michael McClure, Vice Chair, ELFNJ, Ariana Gandhi, Izare Rivera, Morgan Lee, Milana Villalobos and Dr. Timothy Purnell, Executive Director, NJSBA.

The following teams received prizes in recognition of their hard work and creativity:

  • Bacilli Baddies (Passaic County Technical Institute) – $2,500 
  • Vita Flow (Ridgewood High School) – $1,500 
  • Swarm Sentry (Edison High School) – $1,000 
  • Shock Sleeve (Ridgewood High School) – $500 
  • STEM For Change (Mainland Regional High School) – $500 
  • Shore Regional STEAM Team – $500 
  • Plastic Prophets (Passaic County Technical Institute) – $500 
  • Bicycle Chain Guard (Manasquan High School) – $500 
  • Watering Can (Hawthorne High School) – $500 
  • Team MVP’s Project Greenhouse (Passaic Academy for Science & Engineering) – $500

“These are the types of events that ELFNJ loves to sponsor. They  bring together everything good about education,” said David Hespe, executive director of the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey. “It’s an opportunity for students to show us what cutting edge looks like.”