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EngineerGirl 2025 Writing Contest Winners Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wed, June 11, 2025

Washington, D.C., June 11, 2025 —
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) announced the winners of its 2025 EngineerGirl Writing Contest.  This year’s contest prompt, “Innovating Smarter,” asked students in elementary through high school to write an essay about a common object they would make “smart,” and then consider what it would do, what it would need to function, and what could go wrong. Prizes were awarded to students based on grade level.
 
“Congratulations to the 2025 EngineerGirl Writing Contest winners for their inventive and thoughtful essays imagining smart innovations from everyday objects,” said NAE President John L. Anderson. “These students demonstrated a strong grasp of both the possibilities and challenges of engineering design, reflecting the curiosity and creativity that drive real-world innovation.”
 
NAE congratulates the following first place winners:
  • Olive Monrad, a fifth-grade student at Indian Springs Middle School in Keller, Texas, placed first among elementary school students for her essay The Backpack of Tomorrow.
  • Kendall Wilkerson, an eighth-grade student at the Academy of International Studies at Rosemont in Norfolk, Virginia, placed first among middle school students for her essay The Smart Wardrobe. 
  • Aleena Shaji, a twelfth-grade student at Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Helotes, Texas, placed first among high school students for her essay The Smart Solution to Hair Care Confusion.
Awards for contest winners are $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place. Winning entries, along with honorable mention entries, are published on the EngineerGirl website. Additional winners are listed below.

Elementary Winners:
Middle School Winners:
High School Winners:
 
The National Academy of Engineering extends its congratulations to all this year’s winners and participants in the 2025 EngineerGirl Writing Contest for their creativity and thoughtful contributions.
Sabrina Steinberg
Contact Sabrina Steinberg
Communications/Media Specialist
National Academy of Engineering
Phone202.334.2622
SSteinberg@nae.edu
Mary Mathias
Contact Mary Mathias
Program Officer
National Academy of Engineering
Phone202.334.1567
mmathias@nae.edu