Miner Creativity Challenge logo with a miner hat and gear.

Miner Creativity Challenge

Thank you to all the students and volunteers who participated in this year's challenge. Check back in Fall 2024 for the next competition dates.

About the Challenge

This challenge is an opportunity for teams to design and build a toy focused on STEAM learning that will be assembled, played with and reviewed by grade school students ages 8–11.

In addition to mentorship from S&T faculty and staff, finalist teams have access to maker spaces and Idea Labs in S&T’s new Innovation Lab and up to $20 of their supplies covered. A panel of professional judges and the grade school students determine the winners.

Scholarship Prize Money

  • Kid’s choice will be awarded $1,000 first place; $750 second place; and $500 third place
  • Judges will award $3,000 first place; $2,000 second place; $1,000 third place
  • People’s choice award to encourage S&T community to come view and vote for their favorite will be a $500 award.

2023 Winning Teams

First Place

"Quick Draw Cannon" created by team members, from left, Andrew Banta, junior in computer science; Abby Womack, freshman in Mechanical Engineering; Brendan Crotty, junior in mechanical engineering;  Seth Huffman, freshman in mechanical engineering; and Nick Johnson, junior in mechanical engineering;

Second Place

"Tower Tumbler" created by team members, from left, Sebastian Davis, a senior in computer science; Evan Roach, a senior in mechanical engineering; Jacob Stobie, a senior in civil engineering; and Hayden Krumpelman, a senior in mechanical engineering.

Third Place

"Hydraulic Crane" created by team members, from left, Maxwell Attwood, a sophomore in mechanical engineering; Adam Kokal, a junior in mechanical engineering; Andrew Ellinghouse, a junior in architectural engineering; Braden Swift, a junior in economics; and Kyle Renkoski, a junior in mechanical engineering. Also pictured, far left, faculty mentor Dr. Jillian Schmidt, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering.