2025 Global Changemaker Challenge Winners Receive Scholarships

Evansville, Ind. (02/25/2025) — High school students around the world were awarded significant scholarships at the University of Evansville's (UE) Global Changemaker Challenge, made possible by Toyota Indiana.

The challenge is designed to motivate young people around the world to take a leading role in identifying and solving challenges in the world through innovation and creativity. This competition is the virtual companion to the in-person Changemaker Challenge that took place in January.

UE has committed more than $1 million in scholarships to winners of this competition since its inception. Those who choose UE as their college destination will each receive four-year scholarships as listed below:

First Place - SolarGlide

Team Member: Ronik Sharma; Cooksville, Maryland

A solar-powered electric tricycle that empowers farmers and micro-entrepreneurs with affordable, sustainable mobility-boosting incomes, reducing costs, and accelerating climate action.

Second Place - Fireguard Pod

Team Member: Oluwadarasimi Moses; Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria

The FireGuard Pod is a compact, heat-activated fire suppression device designed to release fire-retardant materials when exposed to high temperatures. It aims to prevent small fires from spreading in homes, forests, and electrical hubs.

Third Place - Hunter Kellems Cyber Truck

Team Member: Hunter Kellems; Perry Central High School, Leopold, Indiana

Introducing a specialized plug designed for the Tesla Cybertruck to prevent accidental activation of the emergency exit mechanism when it is not needed. This innovation enhances safety and convenience by reducing the likelihood of unintentional use, ensuring the emergency feature remains accessible only when necessary.

On Tuesday, February 18, a panel of judges heard pitches from 14 international teams and individual students who had earned a spot in the competition. After the competition, judges awarded first, second, and third place in a special YouTube Premiere Awards Ceremony, which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5B-1n7Dg1s

To learn more about Global Changemaker Challenge please visit https://www.evansville.edu/changemaker/.