17 teams recognized in STEM-themed ocMaker Challenge

Seventeen teams from Orange County middle schools, high schools and community colleges won cash prizes of $100 to $350 as part of the ocMaker Challenge, a STEM-based design competition where students use 3D modeling, 3D printing and other advanced technologies to build prototypes of products aimed at solving real-world problems.

Booths inside Chapman University gym display students' ocMaker Challenge projects
More than 150 teams competed in the ocMaker Challenge last weekend at Chapman University.

More than 150 teams competed in last weekend’s event Chapman University’s Hutton Sports Center.

The annual ocMaker Challenge supports creativity and innovation by converging academics with hands-on learning to promote 21st-century skills.

The ocMaker Challenge integrates science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, by encouraging students to identify a unique problem or need, document solutions and use technologies that include 3D modeling and 3D printing.

Below are a list of the Division Award winners. For a full list of winners, click here.

Division Award Most Innovative Team Award School District Teacher
College Smart Fishing $150.00 Saddleback College South OC Community College District Gabriela Sandoval Martinez
High School Retractable Heels $150.00 Sunny Hills High School North Orange County ROP Dan Zanone
Middle School Programmable battery charger $150.00 Walker Junior High Anaheim Union High School District Jack Gupton
Division Award Most Socially Conscious Team Award School District Teacher
Middle School Buzz Trap $100.00 St. Margaret’s Episcopal  Private Eric Harrington
High School Public Trash $100.00 Marina High School H.B. Union High School District Carrie Peterson