Dana Hills High School students Andre, Nicholas and Brandon win first place for their “Caged Dolphin Vape Detector” project at the annual ocMaker Challenge awards ceremony. 
Tustin Memorial Academy students Olivia, Melody K., Ryann, Mitsuki and Melody J. earn second place in the static prototype category for their grade level, along with a tooling and fabrication award from Orange County Maker Faire at last month’s awards ceremony. 
Kathy Boyd, OCDE executive director of career education and workforce development, introduces students and families to the annual ocMaker Challenge awards ceremony. 
OCDE staff speak with attendees at the annual ocMaker Challenge awards ceremony in the OCDE Conference Center. 
Tustin Memorial Academy students Brooklyn, Charlotte and Zoey accept their first-place award for their static prototype project at the ocMaker Challenge awards ceremony in the OCDE Conference Center. 
OCDE staff welcome students, families and educators to the ocMaker Challenge awards ceremony in May. 
OC Pathways student ambassadors Sophia, Aahan and Donna announce the awards categories at the ocMaker Challenge awards ceremony. 
Tustin Memorial Academy students Vivienne, Cora, Miles, Maddie and Delnia win first place and the community-focused award from the Municipal Water District of OC for their dynamic prototype called “The Cat Robot.” 
Brea Olinda Unified School District students Jacob, Thomas, Key and Minyu approach the stage at the ocMaker Challenge awards ceremony to accept first place in the static prototype category for the third- through fifth-grade level. 
Westminster High School students David, Tyler, Brandon and Vincent receive second place in the static/non-functional prototype category for high school students at the ocMaker awards ceremony. 
Vista View Middle School students Aiden, Irwin, Brian, Alex and Jeremy earn second place in the dynamic and functional prototype category for their project, “SoilBuddy.” 
Students Will, Alanna and Kruti from Anaheim’s Walker Junior High School receive first place in the app-augmented prototype category for their grade level along with the tooling and fabrication award from Orange County Maker Faire. 
Tustin Legacy Magnet Academy students Meghan, Nora, Ella and Maiya receive second place at the high school grade level for their dynamic and functional prototype called “iLIGHTS.”
Quick look: More than 460 Orange County student innovators submitted 206 prototypes designed to address real-world challenges as part of the annual ocMaker Challenge. Thirty-seven teams from 20 schools earned first- through third-place awards and 16 special awards presented before an audience of more than 300 attendees.
More than 300 students, families, educators, alumni and business partners came together to celebrate the accomplishments of student makers during the ocMaker Challenge awards ceremony hosted by OCDE’s OC Pathways career education network.
The event honored 37 winning teams representing 20 schools across the county, recognizing students in four grade divisions spanning prekindergarten through 12th grade. As students crossed the stage to receive certificates from program sponsors and OCDE representatives, organizers also unveiled 16 special award recipients selected by community partners, including honors for the most innovative, tooling and fabrication, and community-focused projects. Dozens more community members tuned in to watch the ceremony via livestream.
See the photo gallery above for highlights from the celebration, including student teams recognized for innovative prototypes that solve real-world challenges.
In total, 463 students participated in this year’s challenge, submitting 206 projects that showed off their ability to turn ideas into tangible solutions. Student teams designed a range of inventions, from smart interactive designs and dynamic prototypes to app-assisted solutions aimed at addressing needs in their schools and communities.
A complete list of the honored student teams can be found on the OC Pathways webpage.
Before award winners were selected, students presented their work to panels of industry professionals and educators who gave them feedback to improve their final prototypes. Throughout the process, students applied skills in coding, engineering and design while collaborating with their peers.
The celebration was emceed in part by OC Pathways student ambassadors, who introduced award categories and shared how career technical education pathways and work-based learning opportunities have helped prepare them for entering the workforce.
During the event, students credited their teachers and teammates for helping make the experience rewarding and fun, describing the challenge as an opportunity to learn new skills and bring their inventions to life.
“What makes the ocMaker Challenge so special is the community behind it — educators, industry partners and families all coming together to champion student innovation,” said Kathy Boyd, executive director of career education and workforce development at OCDE. “Orange County is home to extraordinary young makers, and this event gives them the stage they deserve. I couldn’t be more proud of what our students and partners produced.”
Learn more about the ocMaker Challenge and similar career technical education opportunities by visiting the OC Pathways webpage.