Congratulations to the Mize Elementary "Time to Drive Deeper" team for making the Top 20 for the Battle of the Brains competition! 

The Burns & McDonnell Battle Brigade surprised the fifth-grade students on Wednesday, January 14 with the news and brought a personal invite to the special awards ceremony where the winner of the STEM competition will be announced.

The 2025–26 Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition engaged more than 6,700 students from 250 schools across 48 school districts. More than 710 entries were reviewed by STEM professionals from Burns & McDonnell and Science City, highlighting bold ideas to inspire curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning for visitors of all ages.

The "Time to Drive Deeper" team, led by Suzanne Cox, submitted a proposal for an interactive exhibit at Science City to help guests learn and experience the science behind automobiles. From jumpstarting a car to learning about the mechanics and physics that make cars work, this exhibit proposal seeks to educate and be enjoyed by all, with special consideration for those with limited mobility.

$157,500 in grants will be shared among schools with finalist teams to support STEM learning. One team will earn the grand prize: a $50,000 grant and the opportunity to collaborate with Burns & McDonnell and Science City professionals to develop a permanent exhibit valued at more than $1 million at Science City. The winning proposal will be revealed February 4 at Union Station.

Congratulations to the team on this exciting achievement, and good luck at the finals!