Ask. Design. Create. Iterate. Earn a scholarship.
At the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, we believe the traditional engineering-design process needed one more crucial step: access. That’s why, in our inaugural STEM Challenge, supported by the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, we reimagined the classic approach to STEM education by integrating scholarship opportunities directly into the process—removing barriers for students pursuing higher education.
This groundbreaking new initiative empowers middle and high school students from Miami-Dade County Public Schools and beyond to tackle real-world challenges through innovative, solutions-driven thinking. Over the 2024–2025 academic year, students and their teachers collaborated to design bold responses to issues in marine science, astronomy, paleontology, and health—all through the lens of this year’s theme: climate mitigation and adaptation.
Following a rigorous, two-stage judging process, 89 students from 15 different schools and organizations earned their place at the STEM Challenge Expo on May 10, 2025, held at Frost Science—where their ideas came to life, and their futures took flight. As part of the program’s commitment to access in education, 30 outstanding students were awarded one-year to four-year scholarships to Florida public universities, made possible through a partnership with Florida Prepaid.
Casita Fresca, Coral Springs Charter School
The solutions students presented at the Expo ranged from hydrodynamic, semi-autonomous underwater remotely operated vehicles that aid in coral restoration efforts to passive carbon dioxide capture systems. These passionate students witnessed their creative solutions come to life at the Expo. Nyla M. from City of Coral Springs Charter said, “It was really nice to see it all cohesively come together. It just shows the real-life version of what we had been dreaming of this whole time.”
Frost Science team with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres and M-DCPS STEM Director Cristian Carranza.
The STEM Challenge Expo was attended by more than just students, families, friends, and teachers. As a free public event, museum guests also had the opportunity to interact with the students and learn more about their climate solutions. Additionally, community leaders, including the Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Dotres attended the Expo to cheer on students and commend their dedication to STEM learning.
On May 17, winning students attended the STEM Challenge Banquet in the museum’s Ocean Gallery with their families to receive their awards. During this ceremony, students, teachers, and families celebrated the creativity, passion, and teamwork that stemmed from participating in the STEM Challenge. Winning projects were not only innovative, but they were also realistic, empowering students to take the next step in their STEM journey – college!
“We couldn’t be prouder of the incredible creativity, collaboration, and commitment these students brought to our first-ever STEM Challenge,” said Dr. Doug Roberts, President & CEO of Frost Science. “This program reflects the very heart of our mission—to inspire and empower the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Seeing these young minds tackle real-world challenges with such passion and purpose is not only inspiring—it’s proof that with the right support, like that of the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, we can open doors to a brighter, more sustainable future.”
Next year, the STEM Challenge will be bigger and better with a brand-new, tech-focused theme: Innovating with Technology to Advance Science. Will students design new wearables? Create 3D models of components for robots? Write code that consolidates and interprets data? Only time will tell!
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