Mazzuchelli students win Iowa presidential AI challenge and advance to regionals

Four eighth-graders from Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School won the Iowa Track I Middle School competition of the Presidential AI Challenge with a web app that provides live updates on available shelter beds, and the team will present at regionals with regional winners announced April 16.

Four eighth-graders from Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School earned top honors in the Iowa Track I Middle School competition of the Presidential AI Challenge. Their project, titled "A Click Away From Home," is a web-based app that uses an AI algorithm to provide live updates on available shelter beds to help people experiencing homelessness find space. The contest is part of a nationwide initiative established through Executive Order 14277, signed April 23, 2025, to encourage students to explore AI responsibly and build workforce skills. As one of Iowa's state champions, the Mazzuchelli team advances to the regional competition. Key details: - Winners are Harper Givens, Elise Babler, Malin Thier, and Vivian Hoelscher. - The project connects people experiencing homelessness with shelters in real time by reporting available beds through a web app. - The Presidential AI Challenge drew more than 2,500 submissions nationwide, and 328 teams achieved state-level recognition. - At regionals the team will present live in a virtual format to a panel of judges; regional winners will be announced on April 16 and national winners in June. Summary: The win highlights local students using AI to address a community need and gives them an opportunity to refine their idea on a larger stage. The team will present in the regional round and await the April 16 announcement of regional winners, with national selections to follow in June.