A team of four Upper St. Clair High School students has been named a Grand Prize winner in the Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) Global Innovation Challenge. TOM is a nonprofit organization that connects innovators with people living with disabilities to develop technologies that promote greater independence and improve quality of life.
The winning team includes sophomores Ritu Gupta and Shreyan Mali, junior Aaron Jiang and senior Rohan Inampudi, all members of the Upper St. Clair Robotics FIRST Tech Challenge team TeraBridges (FTC 18603).
Watch a video about the award-winning project.
The students were mentored by Dr. Rama Bala, a TeraBridges robotics mentor and a space engineering professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Their project was recognized alongside teams from Thomas Jefferson University, Georgia Institute of Technology and Holon Institute of Technology in Israel.
“The Upper St. Clair team was the only high school team selected as a Grand Prize winner, competing alongside university students, professional engineers and innovators from around the world,” Dr. Bala said. “These students demonstrated that innovation is not limited by age and that high school students can create solutions with the potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
The TeraBridges team earned the honor for designing and developing a Motorized Toddler Mobility Trainer, an affordable assistive technology solution created to help young children with mobility challenges experience greater independence. The project reflects the team’s ongoing commitment to designing technologies that improve accessibility and quality of life through engineering and robotics.
The mobility trainer combines robotics, electronics, advanced manufacturing and human-centered design to create a practical, low-cost solution for families while giving children greater opportunities for independent movement.
Judges recognized the students for their creativity, technical excellence and the potential impact of their innovation. The team also received a $3,000 Grand Prize award, which will be used to expand TeraBridges’ assistive technology initiatives and support future projects focused on improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
“This achievement highlights the dedication and creativity these students brought to solving a real-world challenge, while reflecting TeraBridges’ mission to empower students to apply STEM skills not only in competition but also in service to the community,” said Sarah Beitler, one of TeraBridges’ coaches.
TeraBridges is an award-winning FIRST Tech Challenge team within Upper St. Clair Robotics. The team provides students with hands-on experience in engineering, programming and innovation while emphasizing the use of STEM to address community needs. The Global Innovation Challenge Grand Prize adds to the team’s growing record of success in robotics, outreach and advocacy, demonstrating the power of student-driven innovation to make a lasting impact.