In collaboration with Innovate Alabama, the Kennemer Center for Innovation and Social Impact at the University of Alabama awarded eight student-led teams for their innovative ideas through the BIG ideas program.
The 2023-24 BIG Ideas contest awards dinner, held April 12 at the Bryant Conference Center, was held for all 19 teams who participated. Teams were led by students who have limited or no competition experience. The contest encouraged them to develop their ideas, transform their thinking and address societal problems through creativity and ingenuity. Eight teams were awarded the top prizes for their ideas.
The following teams were awarded prizes:
BIG Ideas Grand Prize Winner
StudyBuddy is an educational tool that provides a personalized AI tutor for elementary students. StudyBuddy was also the winner of the Education and the Arts track. The group's idea for StudyBuddy came amid the growing education crisis from a teacher shortage and the Covid-19 pandemic. While tutoring is an effective antidote, it can be expensive and inaccessible for all students. StudyBuddy is a digital AI-powered companion that helps students will their academic needs. It is personalized, accessible and interactive.
BIG Ideas Technology Track Winner
Fooder is an innovative framework to empower food rescue everywhere. The initiative harnesses a community network of businesses, volunteers and charities to rescue surplus food and redistribute it to those in need, all coordinated through the Fooder app.
BIG Ideas Health and Well-being Track Winner
VARA (Vision Aid in Rural Alabama) is a low-cost, high-impact approach that aims to address the gap of pediatric vision care in rural Alabama. VARA aims to address the gap in coverage in pediatric eye care in rural Alabama by expanding the reach of current vision nonprofits, educating parents on common vision issues and providing free screening events. At these events, parents will be connected to local low or no-cost definitive eye care options and educated on the symptoms of common childhood vision disorders.
BIG Ideas Energy and Transportation Track Winner
Crimson Carpool is a student-based rideshare app that aims to make long-distance travel more convenient and accessible. The app works as a social platform that students with similar destinations can connect on. The process begins with a driver posting the route they can take, their asking price, the maximum number of passengers they are willing to accommodate and any other comments they might have. On the other end, passengers search for their destination and the app yields results for those going to the same or a nearby destination. Once a passenger finds a driver they would like to ride with, they can use the in-app messaging system to reach out to them and make an official carpool agreement.
BIG Ideas Silver Award
Rising Tides will source caps and gowns and sell them at a reasonable markup.
BIG Ideas Bronze Award
(Team not pictured, but includes Emily Otter, Ethan Nguyen and Cade Sweeney)
PrepAI decreases the amount of time teachers must spend on work outside of the classroom through an AI-powered platform aimed at providing teachers with assistance in lesson planning, idea generation and curriculum alignment. The AI-powered platform aims to reduce the time teachers spend on planning, grading and administrative tasks by using AI to align lectures with curriculum standards, suggest effective teaching practices and provide access to research on best teaching practices. PrepAI will be tailored for Alabama's educational system initially, incorporating state curriculum standards and collaborating with local educational institutions for content accuracy and relevance.
BIG Ideas Best Video Award
Chat Chair is a public space designed to offer emotional regulation and stress management techniques and practices free of charge to all. The Chat Chair is a nonprofit dedicated to offering and explaining emotional regulation and stress management techniques to college students. It will offer anything from games to play to various mindfulness techniques
BIG Ideas Team Excellence Award
Neptune Foil Co. manufactures hydrofoils that are an evolution of watercraft on the same scale as maglev trains to steam engines – faster, less drag, and higher efficiency. Incorporating hydrofoil technology into large vessels like cargo ships and ferries could significantly increase travel speeds and enhance overall efficiency. Neptune Foil's strategy begins with establishing a surf hydrofoil business as a proof of concept and revenue source. This will enable Neptune to conduct extensive research on design and construction of hydrofoil, ultimately reducing the price. The cost of hydrofoils is currently the main barrier to entry in the sport of surf foiling, and it's a significant reason why hydrofoil shipping and transport have not been widely adopted.
