Every day, PLTW students across the country apply their skills and creativity to make a difference in their schools and communities. While only two projects can be recognized as award winners each year, countless others showcase the same innovation, empathy, and problem-solving spirit that define the PLTW experience.
Here are four inspiring projects from PLTW middle and high school students who saw challenges in their communities, designed solutions, and are already creating lasting impact.
Saving Wildlife Close to Home
STEM Launch Program, Adams 12 Five Star Schools – Thornton, Colorado
Behind STEM Launch’s campus, a family of beavers built their home in a small wetland area. When the site was at risk from development and flooding, students launched the Save the Beavers initiative.
The project combined ecological research with community education. Students studied the role of wetlands in local ecosystems, explored how beavers support biodiversity, and raised awareness among their peers and neighbors. They also shared their story on social media and were invited to present at BeaverCon, an international conference focused on conservation and the positive role beavers play in the environment.
This project shows how middle school students can use the PLTW design process and scientific thinking to make real-world change—from protecting wildlife in their own backyard to contributing to national conversations about environmental stewardship.
Designing Play with Purpose
Zionsville West Middle School – Zionsville, Indiana
In Zionsville, seventh-grade PLTW students turned their classroom into a design lab with a mission: create therapeutic toys for children with cerebral palsy. Partnering with Children’s TheraPlay, a local nonprofit therapy clinic, students worked alongside occupational therapist to understand the challenges young patients face during therapy.
Over the course of 33 days in class, students researched cerebral palsy, brainstormed ideas, developed prototypes in Tinkercad, and tested their designs with peers and therapists. The nominated group, made up of three students recognized by their classmates for best overall design process, built a toy that was fun, client-centered, and aligned with therapeutic goals.
Therapists were impressed by both the creativity and the professionalism of the students. One shared that the toys had the potential to make therapy more engaging and impactful, ultimately leading to better outcomes for children.
This project not only highlighted the technical skills students gain in PLTW, like 3D modeling, prototyping, and iterative design, but also underscored the power of empathy and community collaboration. By working directly with real clients, students saw how their designs could have a tangible and lasting impact beyond the classroom.
A Storage Solution for the Team
James Clemens High School – Madison, Alabama
For Matthias, a PLTW Engineering student and student manager for his high school baseball team, an everyday frustration became an opportunity to innovate. The team’s equipment bins were too large, leading to disorganization and wasted time during practices and games. Matthias applied the PLTW Engineering Design Process to develop the DIYvider, custom-fit 3D printed dividers to organize the bins.
He began by working with coaches to understand their needs and constraints, then used precise measurements and Fusion modeling to create the first prototypes. The design required advanced features not yet covered in his courses, but Matthias persisted — testing, refining, and ultimately producing a perfect fit. Over three months, he 3D printed 70 dividers, even troubleshooting challenges like malfunctioning printers and freezing temperatures in the workspace.
“Matthias’s initiative and attitude toward this project was simply professional, something rarely seen in a high school student.” — PLTW Teacher
The result transformed equipment storage for the team, streamlining routines and freeing coaches to focus on players rather than logistics. With the design files archived, the dividers can be reproduced or adapted for future use, making this a sustainable solution that will benefit the baseball program for years to come.
Innovating Beyond the Classroom
Hopewell High School – Huntersville, North Carolina
At Hopewell High School, engineering doesn’t stop when the final project is turned in. Seniors Charles and Hayden, along with junior Jonathan, each identified real problems during their PLTW courses, and instead of setting their work aside at the end of the semester, they kept refining and applying their solutions. Their commitment shows how PLTW empowers students to use engineering as a tool for lasting community impact.
Jonathan – Automated Tardy Pass System
Jonathan recognized that Hopewell’s tardy check-in process was costing students and teachers valuable instructional time. Drawing on his PLTW engineering and programming skills, he designed an automated tardy pass kiosk powered by a custom-built PLC board for improved performance and sustainability.
To ensure the project met real-world needs, Jonathan partnered with school data managers and consulted electrical engineers at First Turn. He also created detailed documentation and training videos so the system can continue running long after he graduates. Jonathan continues refining his kiosk with touchscreen functionality and improved data tracking — building a scalable model that could one day be adopted across schools.
Jonathan demonstrated leadership by teaching himself how to build a custom PLC board and developing training materials, ensuring the system can be maintained well beyond his time at Hopewell.
Hayden – Disc Golf Course
When Hayden saw an unused outdoor space on campus, he envisioned a sustainable recreational area that would promote student wellness. For his PLTW Capstone project, he designed a disc golf course and secured $5,000 in community funding from the Disc Golf Association of Charlotte.
Working closely with the district and school staff, Hayden led installation efforts in Fall 2024. His initiative sparked the creation of a new student club, and beginning in Fall 2025, the course will be integrated into Hopewell’s physical education program. With removable chain holes designed to withstand seasonal changes, Hayden ensured the course will remain a permanent feature of campus life.
Charles – Robotics and Lab Innovation
Charles applied his PLTW skills in two major projects that enhance both student learning and school resources. In his Capstone course, he designed and built a SCARA robot prototype using hundreds of 3D-printed parts. By collaborating with engineers at FANUC and incorporating their feedback, Charles created a hands-on tool that will give future Hopewell students industry-relevant experience in automation and mechatronics.
At the same time, Charles noticed inefficiencies in the school’s 3D printing lab. For his Eagle Scout project, he designed a custom modular shelving system using French cleats to organize six printers and optimize workspace. His design not only improves daily use but also allows for easy expansion as the program grows.
Continuing Innovation Beyond the Semester
Together, Jonathan, Hayden, and Charles exemplify the heart of PLTW’s mission: identifying problems, applying the design process, and creating sustainable solutions that outlast their time in the classroom. Their work proves that innovation doesn’t have to stop at the end of a course — it can continue driving meaningful change in schools and communities long after the semester ends.
Inspiring the Next Wave of Community Projects
From saving wildlife and designing therapeutic toys to solving storage challenges, and creating recreational spaces, these four projects showcase the creativity and impact of PLTW students nationwide.
Middle and high school students everywhere have the ability to identify needs in their communities and use PLTW skills to design solutions. Whether it’s addressing environmental challenges, supporting health and wellness, or improving daily life at school, every project has the potential to spark change.
If your student group is inspired by these stories, start by looking around your own community. What problems need solving? What opportunities could make life better for others? Then, use the PLTW design process to bring those ideas to life. The 2025-26 Community Impact Awards will begin accepting nominations in January 2026.
And for even more inspiration, be sure to read about the 2024-25 PLTW Community Impact Award winners.
