- Prompt: “As new technology reshapes our world, being able to utilize the resources around us and embrace the unknown is crucial as we step into the future. For this year’s YouthCon scholarship theme, we challenge students to share their visions on how they can creatively use AI to pursue their passions and make an impact on their community. How can you, as an individual, use $300 to embrace the unknown and harness the power of AI to develop an impactful community project?”
- Recipients:
- 1st place: Laura Zhang, Senior, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
- Lead a free, week-long math summer camp for middle school girls, combining computer science-based visualizations and collaborative activities to make math more accessible and engaging, while fostering a supportive community of aspiring female mathematicians.
- LINK to essay
- 2nd place: Samuel Indyk, Senior, W.T. Woodson High School
- Implement an AI-driven traffic optimization system by equipping 20 traffic lights with low-cost uplinks, reducing congestion and wait times by analyzing real-time traffic patterns and improving light timing for the community.
- LINK to essay
- 3rd place: Myla Leung, Junior, Winston Churchill High School
- Create a website powered by AI detection models that helps schools improve their meal selections by suggesting nutritious, plant-based options tailored to their current offerings, budgets, and dietary restrictions, promoting healthier and more inclusive lunches for students.
- LINK to essay
- 1st place: Laura Zhang, Senior, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology