Thousands of students pitched their creative and innovative ideas at this year’s STEAM Tank at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Workshop in Atlantic City, Oct. 23-26.
Six teams – three from the elementary division and three from middle school division – competed for a total of $10,000 in prize money for their school STEAM/STEM programs. High school winners were announced in June, due to the nature of their schedules.
This year’s STEAM Tank judges were impressed by all the creativity, determination and courage on display – as well as the commitment students showed to others, their communities and the environment. This year’s Workshop theme, “Today’s Students … Tomorrow’s Superheroes,” perfectly describes the STEAM Tank participants.
“I had the pleasure of seeing STEAM Tank in action firsthand at Workshop. I was amazed by the creativity of students, who designed solutions to real-world problems we’re facing in New Jersey and beyond,” said Dr. Timothy Purnell, executive director and CEO of NJSBA. “Congratulations to all the winners as well as all their mentors and teachers who have encouraged them along the way.”
This year’s STEAM Tank 2023 winners are.
Elementary School Division:
- 1st – Wanamassa Elementary, Ocean Township – Team Spray, Spray, Spray.
- 2nd – Newbury Elementary, Howell – Team Smarbage.
- 3rd – Good Intent Elementary, Deptford – Team School Navigator.
Middle School Division:
- 1st– Gould Avenue, North Caldwell – Team Eco Blox.
- 2nd– Haddonfield Middle, Haddonfield- Team Improved Bullet Staunch.
- 3rd– Creativity Collaboratory Charter – Team Tomorrow’s Closet.
High School Division: (Announced in June 2023)
- 1st– Monroe Township High School, Monroe- Team Study Hungry.
- 2nd– Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood- Team Estrogenerators.
- 3rd– Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood- Team Fire Gone.
Additionally, this year’s STEAM Tank Spirit Award was given to team Door to Your Heart from Alice Costello Elementary School, Brooklawn School District. This award goes to a team that shows courage, determination, ingenuity, empathy, compassion and a deep care for their classmates, teachers, school and community.
A special thank you to our STEAM Tank judges who are volunteers from business and industry, entrepreneurs, U.S. Army engineers, university staff and leaders, teachers, and staff from education-focused nonprofit groups. Their efforts support students learning about STEM and STEAM, including career pathways that they can pursue as adults.
The NJSBA also extends its appreciation to ELFNJ for sponsoring awards for the top-winning teams.
Please follow the Steam Tank page on Facebook for important announcements and events, or email Jennifer Siehl, manager of STEAM Tank, if you would like to start a STEAM Tank program in your school or district.