Reach Challenge

REACH Challenge is an impactful Adaptive and Assistive Technology design thinking project for middle school, high school, and college STEM programs, showcasing ITEEA’s mission that “Technology and Engineering Bring STEM to Life!” Teachers are provided a Toolkit of curriculum and resources to lead their students to create a viable adaptive or assistive technological solution to help someone in their community. Projects can then be submitted to ITEEA for an opportunity to earn awards and funding for their STEM program!

Registration for REACH Challenge includes instant access to innovative lessons on Adaptive & Assistive Technology, User-Centered Design, Empathy, Safety, Prototyping, Intellectual Property, and more as part of the Educators Toolkit. These downloadable resources include ready-made lesson plans, videos, slide presentations, worksheets, hands-on activities, discussion prompts, and inspiring explorations aligned with STEL and NGSS standards.

Winners

2024 REACH Challenge Winners

REACH Challenge Winner:
John F. Kennedy High School (New York): buddyBasket

REACH Challenge Finalists:
John F. Kennedy High School (New York): The Protractatray
Kalani High School (Hawaii): The StyluS

REACH Challenge Semi-Finalists:
Principia School (Missouri): Adapted Toothpaste Dispenser
MOT Charter High School (Delaware): SteadyUp
Kalani High School (Hawaii): Da Car Maid
North Burlington County Regional Middle/High School (New Jersey): The Magna-Disc
Kalani High School (Hawaii): The Carb Enabler
Principia School (Missouri): The ZAT 3000

REACH Challenge Special Recognition:
MOT Charter High School (Delaware): Bean Backpack
J. Sterling Morton W. High School (Illinois): Project Impendence
Fontana Unified School District (California): Phone Holder
Aspiring Inventors Club (Virginia): FlexiTube
Fontana Unified School District (California): Blue Fin
Fontana Unified School District (California): The Clinger
Fontana Unified School District (California): Wearable Heating Pack

2023 REACH Challenge Winners

REACH Challenge Winner:
Northern Burlington County Regional High School (New Jersey): The Flexi-Brush

REACH Challenge Finalists:
John F. Kennedy High School (New York): Portion Pal
Kalani High School (Hawaii): VTC (Voice-to-Change)

REACH Challenge Semi-Finalists:
Fontana High School (California): S.A.S. Spongebob Alert System
Fontana High School (California): The Drift Stand
J. Sterling Morton West High School (Illinois): Operation Mylia
John F. Kennedy High School (Bellmore): Click-Clack Knapsack
Olathe Northwest High School (Kansas): The Sleeve Slider

REACH Challenge Special Recognition:
Fontana High School (California): Attachable Table
Kalani High School (Hawaii): LMX Splintz
Kalani High School (Hawaii): The Grip-and-Stick
MOT Charter High School (Delaware): The Missing Piece
Palmer Trinity School (Florida): Project Platypus
Principia School (Missouri): Project Shield
Sioux City Career Academy (Iowa): Pedal Pushers

2022 REACH Challenge Winners

REACH Challenge Winner:
John F. Kennedy High School (New York): easyREACH

REACH Challenge Finalists:
Kalani High School (Hawaii): Seventeen Energy Booster Closet Rod
Skyview High School (Washington): Soccer Ball Bumper

REACH Challenge Semi-Finalists:
Northern Burlington County Regional (New Jersey): Assisted Nails
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (Florida): Bella Chair
John F. Kennedy High School (New York): Coin Calculator
South Fayette High School (Pennsylvania): Maytik: Blind-Friendly Makeup Palette

REACH Challenge Special Recognition:
Palmer Trinity School (Florida): Dressinator
Palmer Trinity School (Florida): Leg Helper
MOT Charter High School (Delaware): Oto-Aids
Upper St. Clair High School (Pennsylvania): Shoematic
West Iredell Middle School (North Carolina): Skywalker
Methodist University (North Carolina): Type-Tastic
Olathe Northwest High School (Kansas): Wheelchair Baby Carrier

2021 REACH Challenge Winners

REACH Challenge Winner:
Discovery High School (Washington): Power Pivot

REACH Challenge Finalists:
John F. Kennedy High School (New York): Thermal Kinetic Therapeutic Glove
MOT Charter High School (Delaware): The Able-Table

REACH Challenge Semi-Finalists:
Kalani High School (Hawaii): Safety Needle Release Grip Extension
Governor's STEM Academy at the Burton Center for Arts & Technology (Virginia): Student Teaching Enhancement Project (STEP)
South Fayette High School (Pennsylvania): SPACE: Sensory Board Kit
Governor's STEM Academy at the Burton Center for Arts & Technology (Virginia): Bathroom Assistance Agent
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (Florida): Freezer Helper
Governor's STEM Academy at the Burton Center for Arts & Technology (Virginia): MOVE-MVES Operative Vehicle Enhancement

REACH Challenge Special Recognition:
Upper St. Clair High School (Pennsylvania): Shoe Support
Kalani High School (Hawaii): Parkinson's Toothbrush
Northern Burlington County Regional (New Jersey): Ohio State Compression Vest
Olathe Northwest High School (Kansas): I-Stand
Hill High School (Georgia): Carry Cart
Kalani High School (Hawaii): Medical Tape Dispenser
Thomas Hunter Middle School (Virginia): Grip Enhancing Glove
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (Massachusetts): Tactile Liquid Measurement

2020 REACH Challenge Winners

REACH Challenge Winner:
Olathe Northwest High School (Kansas): IEEAT (Independent Eating Ergonmic Assistive Tool)

REACH Challenge Second Place:
Kalani High School (Hawaii): Magnetic C-Clamp

REACH Challenge Finalists:
State College Area High School (Pennsylvania): Talker Boardp and Foldable Stairs
John F. Kennedy High School (New York) - The Peripheral Partner
Northern Burlington County High School (New Jersey) - Multi-Use Handle
Scotch Plains Fanwood High School (New Jersey) - Slanted Platform
Thomas Hunter Middle School (Virginia) - The Grabber

2019 REACH Challenge Winners

REACH Challenge Winner:
State College Area High School (State College, PA): Bat Cane

REACH Challenge Second Place:
Donna Klein Jewish Academy (Boca Raton, FL): Napkin Folder

Honorable Achievement by Division:
Middle School - Vernon Johns Middle School (Petersburg, VA): The Duster
High School - BCAT Engineering (Salem, VA): Magnetic Lite Brite
Collegiate - Berea College (Berea, KY): Hydraulic Leg Lifting Chair

Finalists:
Kalani High School (Honolulu, HI): The Beach Wheelchair
J. Sterling Morton West High School (Berwyn, IL): Grand Claw
Gilford High School (Gilford, NH): GoBabyGo Car Toy Holder
BCAT Engineering (Salem, VA): Officer Unicorn
Olathe Northwest High School (Olathe, KS): The Post-Stroke Hand Stretch Device
Riverview High School (Sarasota, FL): Beach Wheelchair
John F Kennedy High School (Bellmore, NY): Helping Hands
Berea College (Berea, KY): Tachycardia Heart Monitor System