An inspiring initiative designed to introduce 5th graders to the power of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship was once again available to students in the Carver Scholars Program, thanks to Dr. Cynthia Barnett and Amazing Girls Science. Over 12 weeks, from December through April, students from Brookside, Fox Run, Jefferson, Kendall, Silvermine, and Tracey Elementary Schools worked in teams to identify real-world problems, think through challenges, and build app-based solutions.
The culminating Technovation Celebration brought together families, mentors, judges, and Carver supporters to honor the girls’ hard work and creativity. Team after team took the stage to present the problems they identified, the challenges they overcame, and the apps they designed to make a difference.
Students tackled issues ranging from reporting signs of violence and helping animals in need to making healthier nutrition choices, conserving water, supporting caregivers with health alerts, and saving money by cooking at home. Their app ideas included Safe Circle, Helping Paws, Heart Harvest, Water Hero Adventure, My Health Solution, and Cultural Cooks.
The event also highlighted the caring adults who helped guide the girls throughout the journey. The participating teams were mentored by Jodi Flom Nathanson, Audra Good, Yana Rankine, Kristen Castro, Maria Paris, Fabiola Estevez, Verónica Ochoa, Anna McCormick, and Clare Woodman, and presentations were evaluated by judges Lauren Sweeney, Uchenna Pratt, and Maryann Murillo. Students were scored using a rubric that measured the strength of their problem and project description, their technical presentation, and their learning journey.
Families filled the room with pride as the girls shared not just what they created, but what they learned. The day is celebrated far more than technology alone. It showcased confidence, teamwork, public speaking, problem-solving, and the joy of seeing young people realize that they can create solutions for issues that matter in their communities.
At the end of the celebration, prizes were awarded to the top teams, with $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place. Every participant also received an ice cream token to Stew Leonard’s — a sweet reminder that every one of these young innovators had earned a moment to celebrate.
Carver is deeply grateful to Dr. Cynthia Barnett and Amazing Girls Science for sponsoring this program, to the Scholars Directors and mentors at every school, to the judges, and to the families whose encouragement filled the room. Most of all, we celebrate the girls themselves. They showed up. They solved problems. They built. They presented. And they shone!