Young Jewish Innovators Challenge 5785
“An incredible program that’s the best mix of Torah, science, engineering, new people, innovation and really cool trip. The organization of the program and qualifications of the people running it is amazing.”
The Young Jewish Innovators Challenge invites 9th and 10th-grade young adults to use creative thinking and problem-solving skills to seek solutions to real-life issues that impact our community. In this new 12-week program, students will work in teams to develop an innovation and compete against other students in Chicago Jewish high schools.
The program will expose students to:
- Collaboration with professionals in the fields of engineering, industrial design, life sciences, and new product development
- Engineering design practices and creative thinking
- Industrial design practice at a product development firm
- Innovation development and presentation skills
- Applications of halacha to innovations
- Tours of state-of-the-art biotech and medtech labs
Awards include cash prizes and more!
Congratulations to all the participants of the 2024-2025 Young Jewish Innovators Challenge.
Boys’ Program Winners
1st Place: Kos Shlishi Machine
Caleb Novick (ICJA)
Jacob Thomas (ICJA)
2nd Place: Kiddush Konnect
Ezzie Lebedinsky (FYHS)
Akiva Samberg (FYHS)
Aharon Zisook (FYHS)
3rd Place: Measure Mate
Akiva Bereliani (FYHS)
Doni Goldstein (FYHS)
Honorable Mention: Anti-ChairTipper (ACT)
Benny Halpert (FYHS)
Ezra Trilisky (FYHS)
Girls’ Program Winners:
1st Place: KehillaConnect
Chana Haller (LGHS)
Sarala Strulowitz (BYHSC)
Chani Dugan (LGHS)
2nd Place: Allopia
Nili Heifetz (HSBY)
Leezy Muschel (BYHSC)
Nechama Shuchatowitz (BYHSC)
3rd Place: Kosher Keeper
Ahuva Peikes (HSBY)
Talia Polsky (BYHSC)
Honorable Mention: The Modular Blech
Mimi Isenberg (BYHSC)
Golda Kanter (LGHS)
See below for a tentative program itinerary.
“I had never given a presentation like the one at the Evening of Innovation before. That entire experience was new, exciting, and accomplishing, and really gave me confidence”
To learn more, call 773-649-5358 or email yjic@walderlab.org.
Young Jewish Innovators Challenge 5785
Registration and Program Information
1. The Young Jewish Innovators Challenge is for 9th and 10th grade students in Chicago Orthodox community high schools. There is a boys and girls division to the program.
2. Participants or their parents must check their email frequently for relevant and timely contest communications from YJIC@walderlab.org (make sure this address does not go to spam). Any updates in scheduling or contest procedures will be emailed out, and participants will be immediately responsible to adhere to them. If a participant lacks email access, please let us know well in advance and we will be happy to make other arrangements for communication.
3. Information and links to the assignments will be distributed at workshops and posted on the YJIC website. Access will be granted upon the completion of registration.
4. The $50 registration fee must be paid by no later than Monday, September 23, 2024. If the student does not continue in the program after this point, the registration cannot be refunded. The program fee covers books, supplies, admissions, transportation costs and meals.
5. All workshops will take place at Walder Science 3050 W. Touhy, unless otherwise noted.
6. Supervised design mentoring assistance and computer lab access on filtered computers is available by appointment. Please email yjic@walderlab.org, call 773-649-5358 or speak to the director to set up times.
7. Students must submit completed waivers before the start of the program.
8. All students who complete the contest and all its requirements receive a certificate and a letter of completion, which can be highlighted on a job resume or a college application.
2. Participants or their parents must check their email frequently for relevant and timely contest communications from YJIC@walderlab.org (make sure this address does not go to spam). Any updates in scheduling or contest procedures will be emailed out, and participants will be immediately responsible to adhere to them. If a participant lacks email access, please let us know well in advance and we will be happy to make other arrangements for communication.
3. Information and links to the assignments will be distributed at workshops and posted on the YJIC website. Access will be granted upon the completion of registration.
4. The $50 registration fee must be paid by no later than Monday, September 23, 2024. If the student does not continue in the program after this point, the registration cannot be refunded. The program fee covers books, supplies, admissions, transportation costs and meals.
5. All workshops will take place at Walder Science 3050 W. Touhy, unless otherwise noted.
6. Supervised design mentoring assistance and computer lab access on filtered computers is available by appointment. Please email yjic@walderlab.org, call 773-649-5358 or speak to the director to set up times.
7. Students must submit completed waivers before the start of the program.
8. All students who complete the contest and all its requirements receive a certificate and a letter of completion, which can be highlighted on a job resume or a college application.
Rules
1. Academic and scientific honesty, and integrity are requisite.
2. Safety measures and protocols must be followed.
3. Classroom decorum protocols and norms are expected to be followed.
4. All entries must be the contestants’ original work. If the submission is an extension of existing work, citations must be made. Projects that were used in a past presentation or other competitions will not be considered. Mentors, teachers, parents, etc. may ONLY guide the students, but may not execute or create any part of the submission.
5. Participants will be scored on a total of points earned from attendance and participation at four sessions, two field trips, independent work (readings, videos, assignments, innovation journal), completion of a Slideshow presentation and Oral Presentation of their innovation.
2. Safety measures and protocols must be followed.
3. Classroom decorum protocols and norms are expected to be followed.
4. All entries must be the contestants’ original work. If the submission is an extension of existing work, citations must be made. Projects that were used in a past presentation or other competitions will not be considered. Mentors, teachers, parents, etc. may ONLY guide the students, but may not execute or create any part of the submission.
5. Participants will be scored on a total of points earned from attendance and participation at four sessions, two field trips, independent work (readings, videos, assignments, innovation journal), completion of a Slideshow presentation and Oral Presentation of their innovation.
6. Participants are responsible to complete all school obligations due to field trip attendance on this program.
7. Assignments are due on announced due dates. Deductions will be made for assignments submitted late.
8. Details of the slideshow and oral presentation submission requirements, deadlines and rubrics are available
9. All submissions must be in English. If a language other than English is used, an English translation must follow in parenthesis
10. For the final project, participants must work in teams of 2 or 3 students. Team member names must be submitted in writing or by email by December 9, 2024 11:59 pm. If a member drops out, replacements are not allowed after the deadline of December 9th.
10. Participant entries may be disqualified if any rules are not followed. Disqualification of contestants is up to the sole discretion of Walder Science YJIC contest.
11. The final project and innovation journals must be submitted electronically by 11:50 pm, Sunday, February 9, 2025. No late submissions will be allowed.
12. If you wish to have your slide presentation reviewed in advance of the due date, make a request of the director for arrangements.
Scoring
1. There are a total of 270 points in this challenge. Points are earned through participation at sessions, field trips and submission of independent study assignments (120 points), an innovation journal, and an Innovation Presentation (150 points).
2. Score calculation = The total points awarded to each team member/the number of team members.
3. The team with the highest number of points will win first prize. The team with the second highest-number of points will win second prize, etc.
4. Participants who present at the Evening of Innovation and earn a total of 190 points or more are eligible to attend the culminating trip. Details to follow.
2. Score calculation = The total points awarded to each team member/the number of team members.
3. The team with the highest number of points will win first prize. The team with the second highest-number of points will win second prize, etc.
4. Participants who present at the Evening of Innovation and earn a total of 190 points or more are eligible to attend the culminating trip. Details to follow.
Prizes
1. First prize is $500 for each team member
2. Second prize is $350 for each team member
3. Third prize is $250 for each team member
2. Second prize is $350 for each team member
3. Third prize is $250 for each team member