Together, we are shaping the future of STEM right here in Baltimore City.

Regards,

Lisette Morris
Executive Director

Over the past few months, 157 Ingenuity 8th grade students across four schools researched, designed, and launched bottle rockets using the Engineering Design Process, reflecting on initial launches to improve their design and bottle pressure for a second launch on Poly’s athletic field.

Special thanks to Science Coordinator, Nick Tomasino for producing the fun highlghts video below! 

On March 27, Ingenuity Poly students earned the 3rd Place School Award at the Clemson Calculus Challenge in South Carolina, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving skills and teamwork among top competitors nationwide. Learn more about the competition here: Click here!

“It was an excellent experience for the students to be able to travel to Clemson University and compete with students from several different states on challenging questions about Calculus. Students got to work together collaboratively and apply the things that they learned in their Calculus classes to problems that pushed their thinking. It also allowed them to meet and become friends with students in other grade levels through their team. Special shout out goes to Graham Gayler for being the MVP in our team this year!”

Elisa No | Ingenuity Poly, Lead Math Teacher 

On April 8, the second cohort of Ingenuity Brown Ignite Fellows brought their learning full circle, delivering dynamic final presentations to Ingenuity 7th graders at James McHenry Elementary/Middle School. Centered on financial literacy, Fellows translated complex concepts like budgeting, saving, and investing, into real-world lessons. This culminating experience not only showcased the Fellows’ growth as leaders and communicators, but also reflected Ingenuity’s commitment to empowering students to share knowledge, spark curiosity, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

In April, Ingenuity’s Executive Director, Lisette Morris, attended a two-week trip to Fujian Province on China’s southeast coast, where she represented the National Consortium of STEM Schools with a delegation of school leaders from across the country to visit schools and exchange ideas with Chinese educators. There she gave a welcome address at a two-day conference with 200 Chinese education leaders focused on Education in the Era of AI, and led dialogues with school leaders at several premier STEM schools in the region.

“Throughout the trip, it became clear that with AI impacting our world, there is a profound global interest in transforming education to ensure students thrive alongside artificial intelligence. Students must be empowered to critically evaluate AI outputs, using it as a companion tool in more collaborative project-based learning. While technical fluency in areas of math and science must still remain essential, there is a pressing need to move away from rote memorization. AI paired with human innovation, ethical discernment, and creativity has the power to help our future STEM leaders address the world’s most pressing challenges.”

Lisette Morris | Ingenuity Executive Director

Ingenuity High School Director Nicole Rosen, Ph.D. and Faith Hudnall, High School Dean attended the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) 2026 Conference, held April 15–18 in Anaheim, California.

Dr. Rosen joined peers Brianne Loya and Josephine Mesina, Ed.D., NBCT—all whom are Department of War (DoW) STEM Ambassadors and DoW NSTA Fellows—to lead a dynamic session titled “Igniting the Climate Spark: Guiding Students Through Meaningful Mini-Research.” Their presentation showcased innovative approaches to engaging students in hands-on, inquiry-driven research, equipping them to investigate real-world challenges through accessible, high-impact projects.

Click here to learn more about NSTA and the conference!

Join us at the 2026 Student STEM Research Symposium on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Loyola University from 4:30 – 8 PM.

Ingenuity is redesigning its 2026 summer programming for grades 8–12 to ignite curiosity and leadership through immersive STEM experiences and advanced enrichment to prepare the next generation of STEM leaders.

NEW THIS YEAR…

For four years, federal recovery funds acted as a bridge. Now, it’s time for our community to take the lead in sustaining this momentum so that Ingenuity can provide expanded and transformational summer programs at no cost to nearly 300 students in 2026. Your support is vital!

Thank you for being part of the Ingenuity community, because together we are truly #IngenuityStrongerTogether.