STEM CHALLENGE | Georgia Foundation for Agriculture

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE:

The GAE STEM Challenge is a special project brought to you by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau's Ag-in-the-Classroom.

The challenge was developed to expose elementary teachers and students to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) involved in agricultural production of food and fiber. It aims to help students recognize their role in agriculture by involving them in real-world agriculture problems that they can help solve in their own classroom! Participating classes can register as:

3rd grade class
4th grade class
5th grade class
Special education class
Homeschool or community group

WHEN: Bi-annually, every Fall and Spring.

WHERE: Your Classroom!

Submit Here

SPRING 2025 Challenge: Recycle and reimagine

Driving Question: How can recycled materials be used to design solutions for real-world agricultural problems?

This challenge invites 3rd-5th grade students to reimagine the possibilities of recycled materials by creating tools or solutions that address agricultural challenges. Students will explore sustainability, problem-solving, and the connection between recycling and agriculture while aligning with Georgia Ag Ed and Georgia Standards of Excellence.

Download the Digital Toolkit

Spring '25 Promo Video

HOW DOES THE CHALLENGE WORK?

RegistratioN
Period

The registration period for the Spring '25 challenge is open from February 3- February 28, 2025.

Completion Time

The challenge offers flexible completion time, with submissions opening on March 3 and closing on April 4.

Lesson
Plan

Each school receives a digital tool kit of resources and a tailored educational program for their students.

Challenge Parameters

Participants will create a video (5 minutes or less) documenting their project, including everything learned throughout the process. The video should address the driving question, showcase creative solutions, and highlight the project’s connection to agriculture and STEM.

Submitting Your Presentation

Submit your project by creating a short video showcasing your solution, the agricultural problem it addresses, and how recycled materials were used. The digital tool kit includes the rubric and detailed submission instructions to guide you through the process.

Top WINNER for each category!

A top winner will be selected for each of our five categories. Winners will receive a $250 cash prize for their classroom and up to $100 in physical prizes of their choice!

Fall 2024 Winners

After School

Ithica elementary

The Ithica Elementary Garden Club from Carroll County, led by Lura Scruggs, won first place in the after-school category for their teamwork, detailed research and creative use of compost to enrich their school garden.

Third Grade

austin road elementary

Rowes Growers from Austin Road Elementary in Barrow County, led by Andrea Rowe, earned first place in the third-grade category. Their entertaining skit about worms’ role in composting impressed the judges.

Fourth Grade

CHATTAHOOCHEE

CO. EDUCATION CENTER

The homeroom class of Amanda Edwards from Chattahoochee County Education Center took first place in the fourth-grade category. Their project demonstrated strong research and a clear understanding of how green and brown compost materials break down differently.

Fifth Grade

WEST POINT ELEMENTARY

The Trash Transformers from West Point Elementary in Troup County, led by Valerie Carter, claimed first place in the fifth-grade category. The team creatively used cafeteria scraps and materials from the school grounds to build their compost bins and involved the entire school community in the process.

coming soon: gae stem gallery

All classes participating in the Spring '25 Challenge will have the opportunity to showcase their work in our brand-new online gallery. Stay tuned for more details!