STEM CHALLENGE | Georgia Foundation for Agriculture

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE:

The GAE STEM Challenge is a special project brought to you by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau's Ag-in-the-Classroom.

The challenge was developed to expose elementary teachers and students to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) involved in agricultural production of food and fiber. It aims to help students recognize their role in agriculture by involving them in real-world agriculture problems that they can help solve in their own classroom! Participating classes can register as:

3rd grade class
4th grade class
5th grade class
Special education class
Homeschool or community group

WHEN: Bi-annually, every Fall and Spring. The Fall 2025 STEM Challenge registration opens on August 18, 2025!

WHERE: Your Classroom!

Fall 2025 STEM Challenge:

Grow more with less

Registration opens on August 18 and closes on Sept 15, 2025.

Driving Question: How can we design a system to grow food without soil using only water, nutrients, and recycled materials in limited space?

This challenge invites 3rd–5th grade students to explore how we can grow food without soil by designing a hydroponic system using only water, nutrients, and recycled materials. Students will learn about innovative farming techniques, problem-solving in limited spaces, and the role of sustainable agriculture in urban environments, all while aligning with Georgia Ag Ed and Georgia Standards of Excellence.

Preview Digital Toolkit

SPRING '25 WINNERS

Third Grade

PIKE CO. ELEMENTARY

The PCES Seed Slingers impressed us with their creative approach and solid research. Their project focused on planting native plants to help pollinators, save water, and boost plant growth around their school. And they didn’t just talk about it—they got their hands dirty with a fun and effective seed ball slinging activity that brought their ideas to life.

Fourth Grade

BANKS CO. ELEMENTARY

The Frindles stood out with their creative use of recycled materials to support local pollinators. Their collaboration with nearby farmers added a meaningful community connection to the project, and their handmade pollinator hotel was both thoughtful and practical. A great blend of environmental awareness and teamwork!

Fourth Grade

OCONEE CO.

HIGH SHOALS ELEMENTARY

Students from High Shoals Elementary took on a big challenge and pulled it off with style. They designed and built a fully functional chicken tractor entirely out of recycled materials—an impressive effort that supports sustainable fertilizing practices. Innovative, resourceful, and well executed!

STEM CHALLENGE RUNNER-UPS

We’re also proud to recognize several standout teams whose projects showed strong effort and creativity.

Third Grade: The Cheeksters, Glynn County – for their thoughtful design and problem-solving.
Fourth Grade: Carmel’s AIMventors, Cherokee County – for their innovative approach and teamwork.
Fifth Grade: NES Quest, McDuffie County – for a well-executed project that came in a very close second.

HOW DOES THE CHALLENGE WORK?

RegistratioN
Period

The registration period for the Fall '25 challenge is open from August 18 - Sept 15, 2025.

Completion Time

The challenge offers flexible completion time, over a 10 week period, with the submissions period ongoing.

Submissions are due by November 21, 2025.

Lesson
Plan

Each school receives a digital tool kit of resources and a tailored educational program for their students.

Challenge Parameters

Participants will create a video (5 minutes or less) documenting their project, including everything learned throughout the process. The video should address the driving question, showcase creative solutions, and highlight the project’s connection to agriculture and STEM.

Submitting Your Presentation

Submit your project by creating a short video showcasing your solution, the agricultural problem it addresses, and how materials were used. The digital tool kit includes the rubric and detailed submission instructions to guide you through the process.

Top WINNER for each category!

A top winner will be selected for each of our five categories. Winners will receive a $250 cash prize for their classroom and up to $100 in physical prizes of their choice!

gae stem gallery

View our gallery full of behind the scenes photos of the Spring '25 STEM Challenge!