Last month, two teams from the Ann Richards School traveled to Dallas for the 2026 Young Women’s Preparatory Network STEM Challenge at NorthPark Center. After first competing locally, one middle school team and one high school team earned the opportunity to present their ideas alongside students from all 11 Young Women’s Preparatory Network schools.
The middle school team, the Dazzling Stars, focused on a challenge many people face when managing diabetes. Their project reimagines the continuous glucose monitor auto-applicator to make the process more comfortable and less stressful, especially for kids. Their design includes a numbing spray activated with the push of a button, a warming pad that helps loosen adhesive for easier removal, and calming music to help distract young patients during insertion. Inspired by the structure of a mosquito proboscis, their micro-needle concept is designed to reduce discomfort and make diabetes care feel less intimidating.
The high school team, the BalanceBlossoms, took on an issue that affects women around the world. Their project aims to improve access to information and early diagnosis in female reproductive health. The team designed a personalized informational app paired with a biometric wearable device that tracks pain and health data. Using AI, the app analyzes symptoms and medical history to create a report that users can share with their healthcare providers. The wearable device also monitors temperature and heart rate to help identify potential health risks in real-time.
The STEM Challenge is designed to bring students together for an afternoon of creative problem-solving, friendly competition, and community engagement. Our Stars presented their projects to judges and shared their ideas with the public. Their work showed not only strong STEM skills but also compassion and creativity in solving real-world problems. We are incredibly proud of our Star students and the leadership they continue to show in STEM.
Middle School STEM Stars: The Dazzling Stars
High School STEM Stars: The BalanceBlossoms
