John Glenn High School team advances to the next round in the Nickless Innovation Award competition

Thursday, November 7, 2024

The first-place team in the A.H. Nickless Innovation Award competition receives this 3D-printed traveling trophy. The team members’ names are engraved on the trophy. (Photo courtesy of the A.H. Nickless Innovation Award.)

Students from John Glenn High School in Bangor Township are among 17 teams from six high schools advancing to the next round in the A.H. Nickless Innovation Award.

Seeking to inspire passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects and to challenge students to work in teams, think innovatively, and develop solutions to problems impacting the world, the Nickless Innovation Award is an annual competition for high school students ages 13 to 18 in Bay, Midland, Saginaw and Tuscola counties.

Teams’ project topics typically include – but are not limited to – alternative energy, healthcare, science, technology, and life sciences.

For Phase One of the competition, each registered team was required to identify a problem and submit a two-page abstract describing its proposed project to address that problem.

Each team advancing to Phase Two of the competition receives a $1,000 grant to conduct research and develop a viable solution.

The teams’ project reports are due Mon., March 31.

The other high schools with teams advancing to Phase Two include:

Bullock Creek High School
Herbert Henry Dow High School
Midland High School
Freeland High School
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy

The competition – which is presented by the Nickless Family Charitable Foundation – will culminate in a daylong public event on Sat,, April 26 at Saginaw Valley State University.

The Phase Two teams will present their respective projects during the event.

Three winning teams will be announced at the conclusion of the event, with each taking home a share of up to $77,500 in scholarships for students and STEM education grants for schools.

The first-place winners receive up to five $5,000 scholarships for student team members and a $20,000 STEM education grant for the school.

The second-place team will receive up to five $2,500 scholarships for student team members and a $10,000 STEM education grant for the school.

The third-place team will receive up to five $1,000 scholarships for student team members and a $5,000 STEM education grant for the school.

The 2024-25 competition marks the 12th year of the A.H. Nickless Innovation Award. Since the first competition in 2013-14, $701,000 has been awarded to participants and their schools, including $351,000 in student scholarships and $350,000 in STEM education grants.