Dishchii'bikoh Community School's STEM Team Wins Global Award

At Dishchii'bikoh Community School in Cibecue, Arizona, a group of young innovators is proving that gaming can be more than just fun—it can be a powerful tool for problem-solving and community impact. Under the leadership of computer teacher Camille Abraham, the school's STEM team secured the Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Award at the global competition and put their minds toward solving an issue affecting their local community.

This school initiative encourages students to explore science, technology, engineering and math as career opportunities. The program leverages the immersive world of contemporary video games to teach coding, problem-solving, and leadership skills in a hands-on, engaging way. 

Abraham, who led the team through their first year in the program, emphasized the significance of student involvement.

“This initiative is about more than just gaming; it’s about empowering students to see themselves in STEM careers and providing them with the skills to solve real-world problems," she said. 

The team’s award-winning project focused on the presence of non-native elm trees in their community. These trees are invasive and consume excessive amounts of water. To address this issue, the grade 9 students conceptualized and designed an AI-powered truck using the classroom version of a popular video game as a visualization tool.

Their conceptual solution, the "AI Exterminator," was imagined as a fully automated system capable of identifying and removing invasive species and repurposing them. In their design, the AI truck would first scan for elm trees, cut them down, and process the wood into firewood for distribution to the community at a designated pick-up location near the school.

"We wanted to make sure the solution addressed the tree issue and provided a benefit to the community," Abraham said. "By repurposing the wood, the students envisioned turning a challenge into a valuable resource for local residents.”

When the team learned they had won the Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Award, they were filled with excitement.

"We were watching the announcement on the smart screen in my room, and when we heard our name, everyone started jumping up and down," Abraham said. "It wasn’t just about winning; it was about proving to themselves that they could do this."

The victory sparked interest in the program, and student participation doubled from nine to 20 students. The program is now expanding, with the addition of a middle school cohort to accommodate growing demand. They will participate in the upcoming spring cohort, which challenges students to design AI-driven systems promoting communication and collaboration.

"We’re excited to build on our success and bring new opportunities to our students," Abraham said. "These young innovators are proving that with the right support and resources, they can make a real impact in their communities and beyond."

As the team continues to push boundaries, they are reshaping perceptions of gaming and inspiring the next generation of students to step into STEM with confidence and creativity.