We’re excited to announce that Arduino has partnered with Altium and the IPC Education Foundation (IPCEF) to launch a student electronics design challenge to engage, educate, and enhance PCB design capabilities while developing STEM solutions to environmental challenges.

The Innovation for Environmental Change 2021 International Student Design Competition (#PCBeTheChange) encourages student teams to help address common environmental concerns using Altium’s educational tools with Arduino hardware. Teams from high schools and colleges will be using Altium’s Upverter Modular PCB design software and the Portenta H7 to create a prototype design that will improve the environment in each team’s respective local area. The students will be challenged to tackle one or more environmental concerns, such as air pollution, water quality and solar energy capture.

“At Arduino, we believe that it is very crucial to empower scientists of the future to address common challenges of our time using technology. We’re delighted to partner with Altium LLC and the IPC Education Foundation in the Innovation for Environmental Change 2021 International Student Design Competition; this competition really aligns with our goal of creating the next generation of STEM solutions.” — Lotte Nørregaard Andersen, Head of Arduino Education

Participating teams can enter the design challenge while harnessing Altium’s Upverter Education training modules plus the Upverter Modular tool. Altium features multiple educational initiatives designed to support high school STEM teachers and students, along with programs to support college students and industry professionals.

Teams will be eligible to win cash prizes for each category: high school and college: $1,500 (1^st place), $750 (2^nd place) and $500 (3^rd place), free access to IPC APEX EXPO in San Diego, California from January 25th-27th, 2022 as well as virtual access to AltiumLive 2022 CONNECT, co-located alongside the IPC APEX EXPO at the San Diego Convention Center. Designs will be featured on display at the IPC Design Booth; awards will be presented at the IPC APEX EXPO STEM Outreach Event.

Registration for #PCBeTheChange is now open and runs through Friday, October 1^st. Team designs must be received online by Friday, November 19^th. Competition winners will be announced on Friday, December 17^th, followed by virtual presentations for the first place and runner-up entrants.