ARLINGTON, VA – CEF is proud to announce the five National Finalist teams advancing to the National Challenge, the final stage of the 2026 You Be The Solution Challenge™, where the top five State Winners from across the country present innovative solutions to real-world problems through science, collaboration, and creativity.
Selected from a competitive pool of more than 13,000 students who participated in this year’s Challenge, these teams earned their place as National Finalists based on a combination of their Regional Challenge performance and their student-created video submissions. Together, these elements highlighted their scientific understanding, creativity, and ability to develop solutions that address real-world challenges with meaningful impact.
This year’s theme invited students to explore health sciences and develop sustainable innovations to improve their local communities. The National Finalists rose to the challenge, delivering thoughtful solutions that demonstrate both technical understanding and a strong awareness of community needs.
“These teams have taken their ideas to the next level,” said Dwayne Sattler, Chief Executive Officer of CEF. “Their work reflects not only strong STEM knowledge, but the ability to think critically, collaborate effectively, and apply their learning in ways that truly matter.”
2026 National Finalist Teams
Illinois – Science Scholars Sandbox
Umar K., Saliha N., AbduRahman Y., Nasima Z.
Team Coordinator: Sachleen Tuteja
Massachusetts – Chem4All
Sri A., Ranvir B., Koji O., Andrew Z.
Team Coordinator: Ashok Khatri
Michigan – Jefferson Middle Schools
Phoebe L., Callie N., Junzhe S., Isaac X.
Team Coordinator: Christine Brillhart
Pennsylvania – Council Rock School District
Michael A., Adhruth A., John F., Jonathan P.
Team Coordinator: Priyanka Koul
Washington – BrightMind Academy
Aditi K., Kyra S., Avni W.
Team Coordinator: Veena Khatwani
The five National Finalist teams will advance to the National Challenge, where they will present their solutions and compete for top honors and scholarships. The event will take place June 2–3, 2026, at the Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria in Houston, where STEM innovation takes center stage.
A full list of 2026 National Finalists and State Winners is available here, where team videos can also be viewed.
