Veteran Pin Design Challenge Inspires STEM Learning

The “We (Heart) Veterans Pin Design Challenge,” a joint effort of the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) and Future Engineers, have announced the 2023 finalists. Students were tasked with crafting a 3D pin design that shows their appreciation for veterans using their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills and creativity.

There are 10 finalists from each competition grade level, 4th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade, 20 total. The pin designs from these finalists will now go on to the final round of judging for a chance to win the challenge, with one winner at each grade level. The 20 finalists will have their designs 3D printed and handed out to veterans who visit the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio. Finalists will also each receive five prints of their design and a $100 gift card toward a professional 3D print.

“We were overwhelmed with the detailed submissions we received from students across the country who exercised their STEM skills to express themselves in a thoughtful way,” said Future Engineers founder and CEO, Deanne Bell. “The real-world application this challenge provides when the winners’ pins are handed to veterans really hits home while bringing the importance of STEM learning full circle.”

The 4th-8th grade finalists: Grace Edwards,Vicksburg, Miss.: Poppy Veterans Day Pin; Daniel Grinman Rivera, San Antonio, Texas: All Branches Veteran's Pin; Kisha Jain, Schaumburg, Ill.: To: Veterans; Reagan Meade, Watertown, N.Y.: Honored Veterans Pin; Dominic Rimmer, Watertown, N.Y.: Thanks to the Veterans; Brenna Roggio, Lewis Center, Ohio: Thank you, Veterans!; Mya Roush, Lewis Center, Ohio: We Honor Our Veterans; Audrey Smith, Lewis Center, Ohio: Thank You Veterans; Avery Squicciarino, Armed Forces: Honor, Courage, Sacrifice; and Evie Stone, Powell, Ohio: Importance of The Poppy.

The 9th-12th grade finalists: Tyler Allen, Copley, Ohio: Heroes of The Flag; Shyam Arumugam, Bellevue, Wash.: Guardians of Freedom Pin; Corbin Berg, Coral Gables, Fla.: “The 9 Hearts” Veteran Pin; Domingo Caloca, Houston, Texas: The Thank You pin; Soumil Goyal, Houston, Texas: Veterans' Puzzle Pin; Sandy Peña, Houston, Texas: Love and Thanks to all Vets :); Alexander Reinhardt, Fairlawn, Ohio: Golden Eagle; Harrison Rothschild, Copley, Ohio: Homage to my Heroes; Wade Widmann, Las Vegas, Nev.: Thank You [Insert Branch] Vets; and Brock Woodcock, Saint Clair, Mo.: Sacrifice Of Veterans.

The We (Heart) Veterans Pin Design Challenge winners will be announced on April 4th during Month of the Military Child. The two grand prize winners, one from each grade level, will win a trip for two to Columbus, Ohio, to attend a special event on Memorial Day at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. The two winners will also receive a 3D printer donated to the school, library or organization of their choice.