Kentucky Students Recognized for Innovative Solutions in AdvanceKentucky’s STEM360 Innovation Challenge

2 days ago
2 min read

Photo courtesy of duPont Manual High School

AdvanceKentucky, an initiative of the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation, is pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural STEM360 Innovation Challenge, a statewide competition designed to empower Kentucky high school students to develop innovative STEM-based solutions to real-world weather resilience and sustainability challenges impacting communities across the commonwealth.

The STEM360 Innovation Challenge invited Kentucky students in grades 9-12 to identify a climate or weather-related problem affecting their local communities and design creative solutions to help communities prepare for or recover from environmental impacts such as flooding, severe storms, tornadoes and more. Student participants submitted white paper proposals, prototype concepts or products, and video demonstrations of their ideas, with finalists advancing to the interview phase.

These students are not only identifying real challenges in their communities, but they are also developing thoughtful, innovative solutions with the potential to make a meaningful impact across the commonwealth. AdvanceKentucky Executive Director Aaron Timmons

“The STEM360 Innovation Challenge showcases the incredible creativity, talent and problem-solving ability of Kentucky students,” said Aaron Timmons, executive director of AdvanceKentucky. “These students are not only identifying real challenges in their communities, but they are also developing thoughtful, innovative solutions with the potential to make a meaningful impact across the commonwealth. We are proud to support and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators.”

Following a competitive review and finalist interviews, the top three students or teams were selected for their innovation, creativity, technical thinking and potential community impact.

2026 STEM360 Innovation Challenge Winners

First Place ($3,000): Arjun Nalladimma – duPont Manual High School Louisville, KY Project: The LouFlood App
Second Place ($1,500): Evelyn House & Lilah Hollen – Woodford County High School Versailles, KY
Project: Cool Seal
Third Place ($500): Molly Burden, Leia French, & Delaney Koch – Harrison County High School Cynthiana, KY Project: Modern Cities’ Greener Future

The STEM360 Innovation Challenge is supported by the Kloiber Foundation and is part of AdvanceKentucky’s broader efforts to expand access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities and prepare students for future careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“Expanding access to technology and high-quality educational opportunities is central to the Kloiber Foundation’s mission,” said the Kloiber Foundation Director of Public Relations Deborah Slone. “STEM360’s focus on collaboration, data-informed decision-making and innovative STEM learning will help ensure that more Kentucky students and educators have the tools, connections and support they need to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world."

Learn more about AdvanceKentucky and STEM360