We help mobilize STEM by connecting students to their future.
Grants available from the Michigan Department of Education for
Square One’s Innovative Vehicle Design (IVD) Programs!
Square One’s Innovative Vehicle Design (IVD) Challenges are eligible for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Competitive Robotics Competition Grant Program, funded through section 99h of the State School Aid Act. The purpose of the grant is to improve student mathematics, science, and technology skills through participation in events like our Autonomous, Full Scale, Mini, V2X and Underwater IVD! The competitive Robotics Competition Grant provides authentic hands-on learning experiences for students, which allow them to express their creativity, have a voice in their learning, and connect with their educators, coaches, and mentors. Square One’s IVD Challenge Teams are eligible for thousands of dollars in 99h grant funding. These grant funds can be applied toward IVD Registration Fees, Training, Hardware & Materials, Tools, Travel, Meals, and other team expenses.
The grant application will open in the fall for Michigan teams. You can start by requesting an official IVD Team Number here, and then submitting your grant request in MEGS+ per the instructions on the grant website. For more information, contact jason@squareonenetwork.org
Our Approach: To leverage our Network by
Empowering Teachers
With training, curriculum and ongoing support.
Engaging Students
Through dynamic, hands-on projects.
Inspiring Donors
By leveraging donations to make a difference to our youth.
Exposing Higher
Promoting a diverse array
Developing
Engaging in partnerships to fund student teams, promote industry partner brand recognition and keep content relevant and current to build Talent Supply Chains.
What we offer.
Our design challenges are a great way to spark interest and engagement in the classroom and address the NGSS Engineering Practices. Student and teacher based teams come from all over the state to compete in challenges using the vehicles they’ve designed and built. Click on each option to learn more about each challenge and how to register!
Innovative Vehicle Design
Square One’s “Signature Series” of projects enable high school students to incorporate innovation and engineering into their design of a wide variety of complex vehicles. This family of Innovative Vehicle Design projects provides students with a highly engaging & authentic learning opportunity. Full Scale, Mini, and Autonomous IVD programs culminate with the annual IVD Challenge Day in May!
Underwater Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge
Square One’s Underwater Innovative Vehicle Design project challenges students to engineer for the marine environment. The real world application of underwater robotics makes this a very relevant student project. Student teams must design and build their underwater remotely operated vehicle to accomplish a variety of tasks in a given amount of time. Student teams will compete in vehicle performance, engineering and craftsmanship, design innovation, ambassadorship, and presentation categories. This project is affordable, manageable by all skill levels, and parts are reusable year after year.
Autonomous Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge
Utilizing Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or Beagle Bone technology, sensors, and other hardware, Autonomous IVD vehicles must traverse challenge courses and avoid obstacles without driver assistance! Thanks to our amazing industry partner umlaut for their technical and financial support! Student teams compete at the Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge Day in performance, engineering and craftsmanship, design innovation, ambassadorship, and presentation categories and this year’s umlaut Innovation Award and scholarship program! Learn more.
Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge
Square One’s Mini Innovative Vehicle Design Racing Challenge requires teams of high school students to re-engineer an electric 1/10th scale RC vehicle, featuring an innovative component that sets it apart from the rest. Additionally, they must conduct a series of performance tests, collecting and analyzing data to optimize vehicle performance. Students will investigate vehicle characteristics including tire size & type, gear ratios, shock fluid densities, battery types, and more. Learn more.
Full Scale Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge
Square One’s Full-Scale Innovative Vehicle Design Challenge inspires teams of high school students to transform a gas-powered go-kart (or build a car from the ground up) into an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, featuring an innovative component that sets it apart from the rest. Emphasis is on leading-edge industry needs including lightweighting and sensor technologies. Teams complete performance challenges on Figure 8 and Road Courses, and compete for a variety of awards including Engineering, Innovation, Craftsmanship, Presentation, Ambassadorship, and more. Learn more.
Every student deserves a chance.
With the pace of change and task load teachers are faced with each day, engaging students in S.T.E.M. related subjects can seem daunting. We understand. We understand that students are sitting in your classrooms right now who could flourish with the right kind of hands-on projects we equip you, the teacher, with. That’s where we come in.
Years Established
Schools Involved in
We equip the next generation of innovators by empowering teachers with expertise & technology, and providing authentic project-based learning opportunities for students.
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Testimonials
“Thanks again for the great professional development. Square One has an awesome selection of projects to get a wide variety of teachers included. The material and presentation is spot on and the pace is perfect for everyone to stay engaged. THANKS!”
“I am so proud to be a part of the Square One Education Network because it has further advanced my interest in engineering as a whole.
The engineers of tomorrow are found in programs like Square One, which fosters the necessary innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that we look for in our employees.
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