A team of fifth-grade Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) students from Childs Elementary School placed second in the 2025 statewide computer science competition, CSforGood Elementary Division. The competition, held on December 3 at the Indiana Statehouse, challenged students to design technology solutions to issues that affect their schools or communities.
Childs Elementary School students designed a prototype for an AI-enabled “Leaf Cleaning Robot” that could keep storm drains clear by chopping leaves to alleviate flooding. Before building a physical prototype, students first explored the technology capabilities needed, envisioning a robot equipped with an AI-powered camera to identify leaves. They then created their prototype using 3D printing, honing their engineering and problem-solving skills in the process.
Each of the winning team members was awarded a cash prize, and teacher sponsors received $1,000 toward classroom technology.
Childs Elementary Principal Steven Marshall commended students on their achievement.
“Our students are the first line of defense against real-world issues of the future — many of which may not yet even exist — and their commitment to this project shows they are capable of designing timely innovations that will improve outcomes for all,” said Marshall.
Teachers Abby Brass and Ellie Kwon were the teacher sponsors for the team. Brass explained that all Childs fifth-grade students worked in teams to design technology solutions for challenges they chose for the competition.
“The communication between teams was key,” said Brass. “They were problem-solving and working together between teams to help each other and give each other feedback. As fifth graders, they did not have to do coding for their prototype, but they were really focused on the process of problem solving.”
Brass said she is proud of the students for building, testing, and improving their design along the way.
“Students were debating and deciding on the shapes of their blades, for example, asking, ‘If we used a bulldozer-shaped blade, what orientation should it be?’ They dug deep into the details of the problem. They also used their skills with Tinkercad to build their prototype. To do this, they had to deconstruct the prototype and create individual parts and put them together, using the engineering process.”
Principal Marshall recognized Brass and Kwon for their leadership in the project. “Seeing the time and effort Mrs. Brass and Ms. Kwon put into this process was a stark testament to the great lengths our teachers will go to in making exciting programming viable for all students,” said Marshall.
To help students prepare for the competition, Indiana University Associate Professor Dr. Ugur Kale from the School of Education visited Childs Elementary to offer his expertise and support. Kale’s research and practice includes developing learning interventions in computer science.
“Dr. Kale and graduate students from the IU School of Education came to see the projects and give our students feedback,” said Brass. “It made our children feel important to have the attention. They enjoyed getting feedback from professionals.”
Students also developed strong communication skills to present their prototype at the competition.
“They had to write a script to present their project clearly to a team of four judges,” said Brass. “I’m sure they were nervous, but they really rose to the occasion to prepare. The judges asked some questions our students were not prepared for, but they took turns and answered really specifically. They had it all prepared in their minds — more than we even thought they had!”
Brass and Kwon said one of the most rewarding parts of the experience was seeing their students grow in confidence.
“Presenting at the competition was a stretch for them, and it was a really good challenge,” said Brass. “It was really neat to see a different part of them shine that might not have come out in a classroom.”
