CHICAGO – On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, more than 320 middle school students from across Chicago gathered at the UIC Forum to participate in Project SYNCERE’s 8th Annual ENpowered Games Middle School Engineering Design Competition. The students displayed their incredible talent and the hard work they put into the 10-week in-school STEM program. The event, hosted by Project SYNCERE, was a resounding success, thanks to the dedication of its staff, the enthusiasm of volunteers from sponsoring companies and foundations, and the support of the broader community.
This year’s ENpowered Games, themed “AMR All-Stars – Innovating the Future,” challenged students to design and program autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to tackle real-world warehouse logistics problems. The students put their skills to the test in two challenging events:
- AMR Challenge: Teams designed and built robots to transport packages within a simulated warehouse environment. This required them to apply principles of design thinking, mechanical systems, and sensor integration. Judges, including volunteers from STEM companies, evaluated the robots’ efficiency, ability to complete work orders, and navigation skills, as well as the teams’ formal presentations.
- Team Quiz Challenge: Students also participated in a Kahoot quiz to test their knowledge of the engineering design process and fundamental engineering and science principles.
The energy in the room was palpable, especially during the robot presentations and the quiz challenge. A highlight was the “cheer tunnel,” where volunteers formed a spirited gauntlet to cheer on the students, boosting their confidence and creating an unforgettable experience.
Gallery: 8th ENpowered Games – April 23, 2025
Photo credits: Jim Vincent (Diner Films, Inc., for ComEd) and Deshaun “Trig” Adams (Project SYNCERE).
The Games wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. A huge shout-out to UIC Chance for hosting the event at the UIC Forum and to our generous sponsors:
- Platinum Sponsor: Boeing
- Gold Sponsors: Molex, ComEd (an Exelon Company), and CME Group Foundation
We extend a special thank you to Sandor Williams, ComEd Sr. Manager Smart Grid & Innovation and Project SYNCERE Board Member, for his inspiring opening remarks. Sandor’s leadership in driving innovation at ComEd resonated deeply with the students and underscored the real-world relevance of the competition.
The energy of the event was amplified by the fantastic emcee, Lisa Laws, Vice President at Jacobs Engineering. Her enthusiasm and skillful guidance kept the day flowing smoothly and the students engaged. Project SYNCERE is grateful for Lisa’s continued support.
The 8th Annual ENpowered Games culminated in the announcement of the winners:
- 1st Place: Addams Elementary (Sponsored by Dyson | Dyson Foundation)
- 2nd Place: Bronzeville Classical (Sponsored by CME Group)
- 3rd Place: Sumner Elementary
In a heartfelt message to the volunteers, Project SYNCERE Program Director Adrianne Ball expressed her gratitude: “Thank you so much for your incredible support at our ENpowered Games! Because of your time, energy, and enthusiasm, we were able to cheer on and encourage over 300 students! Your flexibility, positivity, and good humor truly made the day shine. It’s just nice to be nice!”
Project SYNCERE Executive Director and Co-founder Jason Coleman captured the essence of the event: “What an incredible day of innovation, teamwork, and inspiration! When students see themselves as engineers, innovators, and problem solvers — especially at a young age — it can change the trajectory of their lives. Let’s keep building that future, together. 💡🔧📦”
The 8th Annual ENpowered Games was more than just a competition; it was a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved when a community unites to support STEM education. By providing hands-on, engaging experiences, Project SYNCERE is opening doors for Chicago’s youth and inspiring the next generation of innovators.