NEXT 2026 Special Awards

Magellan Award

This award recognizes students who have completed solutions in the 6 competitive categories.

DaVinci Award

This award is offered for exceptional creativity (not skill or talent), a unique approach to the problem, and/or risk taking.

Renaissance Award

This award is offered for exceptional skill in the areas of engineering, design, or performance.

Spirit of Discovery & Imagination Award (Spirit of DI)

This award is offered for exceptional Spirit, Teamwork, Volunteerism, and Sportsmanship.

Torchbearer Award (for Project Outreach)

This award honors teams and/or individuals whose solutions have had extraordinary impact in and beyond the local community.

This award recognizes students who have completed solutions in the 6 competitive categories.

Sajan Balamurugan

Kennedy Hilton

Eleanor Less

Mana Pinto

Callie Tubbs

This award honors Service Learning teams and/or individuals whose solutions have had extraordinary impact in and beyond their local communities

CarpeDIem | Independant

750-59399

Give and Take (Service Learning - Secondary Level)

This team inspired the appraisers with their ability to recognize the needs that flashcards and emotional support could offer as well as tangible items. They were not only able to meet the needs in our community but in neighboring communities and rural communities globally.

This award is offered for exceptional skill in the areas of engineering, design, or performance.

Knights of the Doggo Table | Diocese of Dallas

750-39369

Becoming Super (Fine Arts - Middle Level)

For outstanding performance and design in Central Challenge

This team delivered a bold, comic-book inspired performance by transforming plants (including Belladonna and Tomato) into an original SuperVillain and SuperHero. Their imaginative interpretation of the nightshade family created a cohesive and highly original story world. An interactive sound effects system featuring hand-created comic graphics paired with original, team-recorded audio was seamlessly timed to enhance dramatic moments. Oversized, hand-crafted props (including a giant pizza and pie) were fully integrated into the action. The costumes were exceptional, from inventive material choices to striking Stage Makeup designs that left the characters looking as if they had stepped fresh from the garden. Combined with creative Technical Costume mechanisms, the team delivered a polished, high-energy performance.

The All Stars | Independent

750-00100

Becoming Super (Fine Arts - Secondary Level)

For outstanding Engineering and Design in Central Challenge

This team built an immersive, game-inspired world anchored by an incredible handcrafted dungeon backdrop. The textured stone walls, layered vines, dimensional foam doors representing game levels, and oversized metallic key created a striking, fully realized environment that felt both theatrical and cinematic. The craftsmanship, scale, and detail transformed the stage into a believable dungeon battleground and became a central storytelling element in the final showdown.

This award is offered for exceptional Spirit, Teamwork, Volunteerism, and Sportsmanship.

The Peanut Butter Jellies | Allen ISD

750-07855

Give and Take (Service Learning - Elementary Level)

For outstanding teamwork and creativity in Instant Challenge