See How PLTW

Students Are Creating

Real-World Impact

Nominations for the 2025-26 Community Impact Awards open January 2026.

PLTW Community Impact Awards

Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, and their actions are already shaping the world around them. Through meaningful contributions to their communities, PLTW students are proving that real impact starts now.

Middle and high school PLTW educators and administrators are invited to nominate individual students or student groups who have applied their PLTW learning to create positive change in their communities.

See 2024-2025 Winning Projects!

Middle School Winning Project: Picnic With a Purpose

Elkhorn Area Middle School

Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Sixth-grade students from Elkhorn Area Middle School made a lasting impact with their project, “Picnic with a Purpose,” by designing and building ADA-compliant picnic tables to improve accessibility at Veteran’s Park in Elkhorn. Guided by PLTW teachers Eryca Card and Steve Fisher, the students extended their efforts by partnering with Matthias Academy to offer woodworking experiences for adults with disabilities, demonstrating how PLTW learning can drive inclusive, community-centered change.

High School Winning Project: Pinch Pals

Academy of Information Technology and Engineering

Stamford, Connecticut

PinchPals, a team of four high school students, combined their PLTW Biomedical Science and Engineering knowledge to create a customizable, child-friendly device that reduces pain and anxiety for young patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Through research, prototyping, and user feedback, they developed a solution that is both functional and emotionally supportive. By exploring needle technologies, numbing techniques, and accessible materials, they demonstrated innovation, empathy, and a strong connection to real-world needs.

Want to see how last year's winning projects made a difference?

Explore the 2023-24 PLTW Community Impact Awards winning projects.