Inspire future generations

Bright Spark® is part of Bridge Innovate's Innovation for Good® programming and is designed to ignite creative confidence in students and educators using design thinking.

Bright Spark® offers innovation competitions for students 4th grade through 12th grade to build design skills such as empathy, creative problem-solving, prototyping, and pitching.

Students interested in STEAM and entrepreneurship compete in Bright Spark competitions to expand their design skills and innovation portfolio. 

Students also gain exposure to industry and education leaders such as FEMA, IBM, Ford Motors, Georgia Tech, and Morehouse College, serving as advisors and judges.

Invention Challenge

Students use the design thinking process to identify a real-world problem, empathize, ideate, and prototype a physical invention. 

This year, we asked: “How Might We reimagine temporary housing to help people in crisis?”

Graphic Design Challenge

Students put their design skills to the test to create an original graphic design artwork that responds to a prompt.

This year, we asked the question: "How Might We… amplify the benefits of being 'One with Nature?'"

Resources

Innovation tools for all bright sparkers

The Bright Spark resources are designed for students and educators to facilitate learning of design thinking.

The resources include curated tools and professional development programs to develop fundamental skills of observing, brainstorming, prototyping, and acquiring creative confidence.

Meet the Winners of the 2024 Bright Spark® Invention Challenge

Check out the winning submissions from the Fall 2024 Bright Spark® Invention Challenge! The winning teams receive a certificate and a $100 gift card. Teacher Leaders also get a badge for Design Thinking Leadership.

Best Overall: Elementary

Invention: “SWIFT HAVEN”

Student(s): Virat Suraj Desai, Shanaya Hrishikesh Molkar, Zeeshan Zubari Quadri, & Anirudh Thattaruparambil Anoop

School: Delhi Private School, Sharjah

Teacher / Sponsor: Anju Chandrasekher Ram

Watch video +

BEST Overall: Middle

Invention: “Flexi Home”

Student(s): Abdul Rehman Muhammad Ali, Fatimah Atif, Urvee Keswani, Zara Mushtaq Ahmed Khatri, & Mohammad Zayan

School: Pristine Private School

Teacher / Sponsor: Ambareen Razi

Watch video +

Best Overall: High

Invention: “Project Packup”

Student(s): Huzaifa Khan, Akshat Srivastava, Adityaa Bandaru, Nivedit Kanoongo, & Madhav Arya

School: Delhi Private School, Sharjah

Teacher / Sponsor: Karpagavalli Preetam

Watch video +

2024 Bright Spark Engagement

140+ Submissions

•

500+ Registrants

•

9 Countries Participating

•

140+ Submissions • 500+ Registrants • 9 Countries Participating •

Invest in the next generation of innovators. 

Year on year, sponsor feedback is extraordinary at highlighting the value received in terms of personal inspiration, new innovative ideas, as well as the joy from seeing the students grow their creative capacity.

Some sponsors see the competitions as a talent development opportunity and have offered internships to select college and high school students.

    • Contributing Sponsor

    • Awards Program Sponsor

    • Teacher Leadership Award Sponsor

    • Student Team Spirit Pack Sponsor

    • Teacher Appreciation Sponsor

    • District Scholarship

    • Team Scholarship

    • Make a general contribution

    • Gain unfiltered student inspiration for new products and services

    • Build your brand for investing in youth

    • Meet social responsibility goals by investing in the future creative generation

    • Engage in a new channel for recruiting talent and interns

    • Build design thinking within your team by coaching others

  • Benefits to participants

    For Students

    • Build creative confidence through solving real-world challenges

    • Collaborate with diverse teams and professionals

    • Spark potential internship and career opportunities

    For Schools

    • Build student and educator creative confidence

    • Build stronger citizenship skills by providing opportunities to create community and business solutions

  • "Student engagement and enthusiasm remained high from the introduction of the challenge statement all the way through building the prototype. It is a rare project or process that fosters this much teamwork and collaboration."

    – Ralph Keith, Rock Spring Elementary

  • “Having my students participate in the Bright Spark competitions using Design Thinking has helped them expand their design skills, empathy skills, presentation skills and has increased their confidence.”

    – Steve Sweigart, Johns Creek High School

95%

Reported high use of critical thinking

91%

Reported high use of problem-solving skills

95%

Reported high use of collaboration skills

Contact the Bright Spark Team