Trio of 4th Graders Earn State Title in Presidential AI Challenge

Shorecrest fourth graders Juliet D '34, Chiara N '34, and Arya P '34 have been named Florida State Champions in the Elementary Division of the 2026 Presidential AI Challenge, advancing to the Southeast Regional competition in April. The friends followed their interest in learning to use AI to help others, taking on this learning challenge outside of the classroom. 

Their award-winning project, Safety Crossing Buddy, combines robotics and artificial intelligence to address the challenge of pedestrian safety. The idea grew from conversations about how difficult and dangerous it can be to navigate busy streets, especially for people with limited vision.

At the center of the project is “Kiwi,” a LEGO-built robot designed to assist with safe street crossing. Using a color sensor to detect traffic signals and a distance sensor to measure how close vehicles are, Kiwi determines when it is safe to cross, and stops immediately if conditions change. The students also designed additional features, including a motorized lift system that allows the sensor to detect both low cars and taller vehicles like trucks.

As Kiwi operates, it collects data such as traffic light patterns, time of day, and vehicle proximity. That data feeds into a website the team built using AI-assisted coding tools. From there, they use AI to look for patterns, like when and where close calls are most likely to happen, and to suggest ways to make crossings safer.

Over the course of more than a year, the team met regularly to design, test, and refine their work. With support from mentors and parents, they worked through mechanical challenges, experimented with sensors, and began learning how to organize and analyze data using AI. Along the way, they navigated the realities of collaboration, time management, and iteration, building both technical skills and resilience.

See Kiwi in Action