Wilson High School Students Receive $25,0000 in Otis Elevator International Competition

In a world-wide competition, Wilson High School Engineering students received $25,000.00 and a first-place win as a part of Otis Elevators Global Student Challenge. These students participated in Otis Elevator’s international competition known as the Made to Move Communities Challenge aimed at developing unique mobility solutions to offset the challenges brought on by climate change in their local communities.

The competition featured student teams from North and South America including Florence, Chicago, Atlanta, Brazil and Distrito Capital of Colombia. Under the mentorship of Otis employees in Florence, the Wilson students made a virtual presentation which came in first place in the Americas. Atlanta was the runner up.

“The Otis Made to Move Communities Project was a roller coaster experience,” said Jada Spann. “As a Team, we worked together, conquered our fears, and developed an extraordinary design.”

With the guidance of their Otis mentors, students developed innovative solutions based on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that they believe can mitigate some of the obstacles to real-world mobility issues.

For their project in the competition, the students chose to present the benefits of using a composite roofing shingle that will change colors based on the temperature outside designed to improve living conditions and increase community togetherness.

The funds received from this project will be used to further benefit STEM projects and other student academic activities at Wilson High School. Wilson High School competed last year in this competition and finished in second place globally while winning $15,000.00.

Philip Barr facilitated the project at Wilson. “I am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful opportunity.”