Starting in Fall 2022 and culminating in Spring 2023, The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education at the University of San Diego launched the Jacobs Teen Innovation Challenge #JTIC23, our fourth annual event. This worldwide event supported educators and teenagers in developing social good solutions aligned to the UN Global Goals. The competition began with:

• 120+ educators
• 2900+ students
• 18 countries

Team: MEA Mountaineers for health

FIREfly Health creates a tangible path to improved household air quality. For people who use open fires which produce large quantities of smoke inside their home and need a more efficient replacement, our stove gives them a cost effective and safe solution. It comes with easy to follow instructions (4 languages) to create it with reused materials, making it sustainable. The prototype was used to cook eggs and boil water all while directing smoke away. It also kills any possible contaminants.

Created by a team of three 8th-grade girls from Mt. Everest Academy in San Diego, CA and supported by educator Eric Nielsen.

The team and the educator have chosen to donate their $1000 first place prize to Doctors Without Borders.

Team: SSFT CCA

Our product, Siren, is a subtle way to notify a security guard or transit operator in case of an emergency. Project Siren has 2 solutions: a simple button attached to the bottom of seats that wirelessly connects to an app, sending an alert when it is pressed and begins to record audio on a built-in microphone. Our second solution is a mobile web app for personal or commercial use that can be used with NFC (Near Field Communication) stickers. The app, programmed with primarily JavaScript, allows for extended button functionality in mobile devices located inside the vehicle. Stickers can be placed anywhere, but ideally on the insides of armrests, walls, or easily accessible areas. By tapping the phone against NFC stickers located throughout the trolley or train car, the web app immediately alerts the operator and on board security from the location of each sticker tapped, and begins recording audio on the phone.

Created by a diverse team of high school students from Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego, CA, with equal representation of boys, girls, and one non-binary individual. Supported by educator Dvora Celniker.

The team and the educator have chosen to donate their $750 second place prize to C40 Cities.

Team: Gravity Powered Solutions (GPS)

Creating gravity powered system to help people with energy issues.

Created by a team of four 10th grade Engineering students from Kearny BST in San Diego, CA, with support and guidance from Jennifer Ogo.

The team and the educator have chosen to donate their $500 third place prize to Rocky Mountain Institute.

Team: SWE Sage Creek

A chromebook extension targeting students with ADHD or ADD!!

Created by a team of two high school girls from different backgrounds, who are members of the Society of Women Engineers club at Sage Creek High School in Carlsbad, CA, and supported by educator Lynette Nicolas.

The team and the educator have chosen to donate their $250 fourth place prize to AKILAH Institute for Women.

Team: ModMedTech

ModMedTech is revolutionizing the First Aid and Survival Equipment markets. We have developed the ModPack and ModPods, which create an accessible, customizable, and modular first aid ecosystem for users.

Created by a team of four students from Coronado High School in Coronado, CA, this group includes three 11th grade girls and one 9th grade boy. Educator Roberta Lenert supported the team.

The team and the educator have chosen to donate their $250 fifth place prize to Doctors Without Borders.

Team: The Super Chargers

The Solar Powered Phone Charger on a visor can be used outdoors or in remote locations. It uses a renewable energy source for power (solar panel) and can be worn by itself or on top of a hat. This charger is extremely useful in case of an emergency outdoors – if your phone runs out of charge, just plug your phone in and it will charge!

Created by a team of three 7th grade girls and two 9th grade boys from a school in Sunnyvale, CA, educator Rakhi Rathi supported the team.

The team and the educator have chosen to donate their $1000 photonics innovation award to Pratham.

This award is sponsored by DRS Daylight Solutions.

• AirNav – Created by team AirNav from Peter Carnley ACS in Wellard, Australia and supported by educator Kim Flintoff (Global Goal 9– Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
• B-Blaster: The Biohazard Blaster– Created by team Water Life Warriors from Palmer Trinty School in Miami, Florida and supported by educator Susy Chu (Global Goal 14– Life Below Water)
• Bio-Nets – Created by team The Deep Dive from Clairemont High School in San Diego, CA and supported by educator Tania Pena (Global Goal 14– Life Below Water)
• Compost Companion – Your Bokashi Composting Kit – Created by team Ready Set SOIL! from St Peter Catholic High School in Ontario, Canada and supported by educator Justin Breton (Global Goal 12– Responsible Production and Consumption)
• D-ENT – Created by team CAZAVIRUS from Oxford School of English in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and supported by educator Leticia Herrera (Global Goal 3– Good Health and Well-Being)
• Delighting Students – Created by team Delighting Project from OX High School in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and supported by educator Virginia Sandoval (Global Goal 7– Affordable and Clean Energy)
• Dueitt Team 2 – Created by team Dueitt Team 2 supported by educator Dwana Hughes (Global Goal 6– Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Girls Supporting Girls – Created by team Girls Supporting Girls from Monte Vista HS in San Diego, CA and supported by educator Mayumi Douglass (Global Goal 5– Gender Equality)
• Greeners – Created by team Greeners from Oxford School of English in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and supported by educator Lizbeth Garcia (Global Goal 15– Life on Land)
• ODD Energy Project – Created by team Odd Brain from Malvern College in Hong Kong and supported by educator Nandita Tewari (Global Goal 7– Affordable and Clean Energy)
• OREP (Oceans, Rid, Every, Plastic) – Created by team CEOL from St Peter Catholic High School in Ontario, Canada and supported by educator Justin Breton (Global Goal 14– Life Below Water)
• Pecezuelos Project – Created by team Pecezuelos Project from OX High School in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and supported by educator Virginia Sandoval (Global Goal 14– Life Below Water)
• Pure Life – Created by team Amphitrite’s Project from e3 Civic High in San Diego, CA and supported by educator Aaron Hoover (Global Goal 14– Life Below Water)
• School Goodies– Created by team School Goodies from Peter Carnley ACS in Wellard, Australia and supported by educator Kim Flintoff (Global Goal 4– Quality Education)
• Spy Bear – Created by team Luvidy (Spy Bear’s Assistants) from St Peter Catholic High School in Ontario, Canada and supported by educator Justin Breton (Global Goal 5– Gender Equality)
• Sweet Dreams! – Created by team Engineer Peers from Preparatoria Regional de Zapotiltic in Jalisco, Mexico and supported by educator Selene Martínez González (Global Goal 4– Quality Education)
• Tātari Filter – Created by team Tātari from Oxford School of English in Nuevo Leon, Mexico and supported by educator Maleny Delgado (Global Goal 6– Clean Water and Sanitation)
• The Smart Sorter – Created by team SalSa from Marriotts Ridge High School in Marriottsville, MD and supported by educator Christina Royston (Global Goal 12– Responsible Production and Consumption)
• The Water Collecting Greenhouse – Created by team The Aqua Team from Kearny BST in San Diego, CA and supported by educator Jennifer Ogo (Global Goal 6– Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Vivaly – Created by team The Positivity Squad from Rock Canyon High School in Highlands Ranch, CO and supported by educator Grace Sims (Global Goal 3– Good Health and Well-Being)

Our work is supported by the generosity of Dr. Irwin and Mrs. Joan Jacobs. You can become a sponsor of our work too! Every gift we receive will support our effort to build a better world.