PI 515

We're BLOWN AWAY after ! 🤖✨

With our biggest turnout yet, more than 200 youth and nearly 60 mentors in one room, this year's AI Challenge was an electric celebration of creativity, curiosity, and community, all in support of Pi515's mission to open doors in tech for the next generation.

Students spent the day pushing limits, solving real problems, and discovering what they're truly capable of, surrounded by mentors who believed in them every step of the way.
"I really believe Pi515 is one of the best organizations to invest in our students in our community!" — Chris Saldanha, Day of Innovation Volunteer

Thank you to every mentor, sponsor, donor, and community member who made this day possible. Your investment shows up in every student who walks out that door with something new lit up inside them.

🎥 See the magic for yourself: https://youtu.be/XE6Hylz_Et4

Pursuit of Innovation Pi515 Day of Innovation 2026

Pi515 Challenge: Which one is your favorite? 🥇

If you could build one tech solution to help your school, community, or future career, which would you choose?

A. An AI tutor that helps students study
B. A smart city tool that makes neighborhoods safer
C. An app that helps teens manage money
D. A robot or AI assistant that solves a real-world problem

Drop your answer in the comments: A, B, C, or D!

Bonus claps 👏👏 if you also name a solution that is needed in your school, community, or industry.

We are excited to share our 2026 Day of Innovation Award Winners! Each year, we recognize individuals and organizations who have played a key role in helping us fulfill our mission. Their support continues to make a meaningful impact in our community and beyond. These awardees will be honored during the dinner portion of our Day of Innovation.

Leaving a Legacy: Steve Shaffer

Community Champion: Mary Bontrager

Trailblazer Award: Principal Financial Group, John Deere

Community Impact Award: KKR, Microsoft, Ernst & Young, United Way of Central Iowa

Educator Award: Thuy Do

From a pom-pom entrance to FaceTiming friends far away… this celebration had it all 🎉💚

We loved celebrating Romas Pokhrel at the Pi515 office, surrounded by friends, family, and community leaders, as we surprised him with the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship.

Read more about this touching day! ✨
https://www.pi515.org/about-us/blog/norths-pokhrel-wins-amazon-scholarship

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