The “Challenge of Minds” competition, organized as part of the “Ora de Știut” (Time to Know) optional educational program, continues to demonstrate how students’ passion for science, technology and innovation can be transformed into practical solutions with real-world applications.
The 2026 edition brought together remarkable projects developed by talented students under the guidance of dedicated teachers who encouraged creativity, critical thinking and the use of modern technologies.
We invite you to discover the three award-winning projects that impressed the jury through their originality, ingenuity and positive impact on society and the environment.
First Place – BloomBots
Creators: Dobre Maria-Irina and Ștefan Daria Maria
Supervising Teacher: Prof. Lucica Păpălău
School: “Anton Pann” Secondary School, Voluntari
The winner of this year’s competition is BloomBots, a smart flower pot designed to monitor and maintain optimal growing conditions for plants.
The system monitors soil moisture and automates the watering process, ensuring that plants receive the appropriate amount of water for healthy growth. One of the project’s most innovative features is its excess water drainage mechanism, designed to safely remove surplus water while preventing short circuits and protecting both the plant and the electronic components.
To build the prototype, the flower pot base was designed in Autodesk Fusion 360 and manufactured using 3D printing, demonstrating how computer-aided design and additive manufacturing can be integrated into the development of smart products.
BloomBots is an excellent example of combining robotics, electronics, 3D design and additive manufacturing with sustainability and efficient resource management.
Second Place – Solar Tracker
Creator: Mușat Andreea Bianca
Supervising Teacher: Prof. Lucica Păpălău
School: “Anton Pann” Secondary School, Voluntari
The Solar Tracker project presents an intelligent solution for maximizing solar energy by developing a photovoltaic panel capable of continuously tracking the position of the sun.
The system uses an Arduino Uno board, four light sensors, electric motors and a solar panel that automatically adjusts its orientation to capture as much sunlight as possible. The energy generated can be used to charge batteries and mobile phones.
The project highlights the importance of automation and renewable energy by offering a practical solution for improving the efficiency of photovoltaic systems. Even under cloudy skies or in low-light conditions, the system continuously optimizes the panel’s position toward the strongest available light source.
Through this project, Bianca demonstrates how technology can contribute to a more sustainable future and to the responsible use of renewable energy resources.
Popularity Award and Third Place – Water Cleaner
Creators: Ghicică Ana Miruna and Vîlcu Ștefania
Supervising Teacher: Prof. Cristina Bamieh
School: “Ioan Bădescu” Secondary School
The Water Cleaner project addresses one of today’s major environmental challenges: water pollution.
The students designed and built a robot capable of collecting floating waste from lakes, rivers and marine environments. The robot uses a conveyor belt to collect floating debris and is equipped with three motors and an external battery housed in a specially designed waterproof compartment.
The solution was carefully designed to remove waste without disturbing aquatic life, demonstrating how technology can become an effective tool for protecting the environment.
Through creativity and environmental awareness, the project highlights the important role that young people can play in developing innovative solutions to today’s environmental challenges.
STEM Education – A Step Toward the Future
These three award-winning projects demonstrate how STEM education helps students develop essential skills for the future, including creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, programming, 3D design, electronics and problem-solving.
Whether focusing on automating plant care, improving the efficiency of renewable energy systems or protecting the environment through robotics, each project reflects the students’ passion for technology and their determination to create solutions that make a positive impact on society.
We congratulate all the students and their supervising teachers for their dedication, professionalism and commitment to transforming innovative ideas into real-world projects.
Through initiatives like “Challenge of Minds”, young people are inspired to explore the fascinating worlds of science, engineering and technology while developing the knowledge and skills needed to become the innovators of tomorrow.
