The Christopher Columbus Awards is a national, community-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program for middle school students. The program challenges the students to work in teams of three to four, with an adult coach, to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem.

Eight finalist teams and their coaches will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World® to attend National Championship Week and compete for valuable scholarships and the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant, plus a $200 development grant to further refine their idea.

Check out our videos to hear what participating coaches and judges have to say about the Christopher Columbus Awards program!