Department of War Education Activity recognizes 2026 Presidential AI Challenge state champions

Courtesy Photo | Students in Mrs. Megan Smith’s 4th grade class at Stowers Elementary School on Fort Benning work together on laptops during the CareBot project, their entry in the Elementary category of Track II in the Presidential AI Challenge. The student-centered AI tool, developed with teacher guidance using Microsoft Copilot, helps children learn the difference between tattling and responsible reporting — empowering them to handle minor peer conflicts independently while directing serious concerns to adults. DoWEA operates as a field activity of the Office of the Secretary of War. It is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing prekindergarten through 12th-grade educational programs for the Department of War. DoWEA operates 161 accredited schools in 9 districts in 11 foreign countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico, serving over 66,000 military-connected students. DoWEA Americas operates 50 accredited schools across two districts on 16 military installations, including Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard bases in seven states, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Committed to excellence in education, DoWEA fosters well-rounded, lifelong learners through DoWEA’s academic programs, ensuring continued innovation and excellence, while advancing a strong focus on patriotism, classical learning, and civics education in support of military-connected students worldwide.  

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

04.14.2026

Story by Jessica Tackaberry 

Department of War Education Activity Headquarters

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Student and educator teams at nine Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) schools have been selected as state champions in the 2026 Presidential AI Challenge.

President Trump issued an Executive Order in April 2025 establishing a national challenge to expand artificial intelligence education for America’s youth and foster early interest, confidence, and expertise in this critical field. State-level winners, determined through a competitive review of submitted projects, advance to regional competitions.

DoWEA’s participation underscores its commitment to preparing students to solve problems by applying critical thinking and using cutting-edge technology.

The 2026 DoWEA state champions are:

• Bob Hope Elementary School, Kadena Air Base, Japan
• Brussels Unit School, Brussels, Belgium
• Daegu Elementary School, USAG Daegu Camp George, South Korea
• Sevilla Elementary Middle School, Morón Air Base, Spain
• Sigonella Middle High School, Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy
• Spangdahlem Middle School, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
• Stowers Elementary School, Fort Benning, Georgia
• Stuttgart High School, Stuttgart Military Community, Germany
• Zukeran Elementary School, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan

At Sigonella Middle High School at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, senior Grady Guth developed Smart Math AI as part of his Engineering Design and Development course. The tool provides real-time, step-by-step guidance to build conceptual understanding in mathematics when teacher support is unavailable. Guth surveyed peers, identified limitations in existing platforms, and built the system using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript with Google Gemini integration.

In Okinawa, Japan, fourth graders at Zukeran Elementary School on Camp Foster created Zoe Zones, a privacy-first, browser-based tool that helps students maintain focus and readiness to learn through personalized strategies.

At Stowers Elementary School at Fort Benning, Georgia, educators Megan Smith and Kendall Tripp led students in developing CareBot, an AI tool that helps children resolve peer conflicts.

Students and teachers across DoWEA submitted dozens of projects focused on math instruction, writing development, language learning, news broadcasting, school safety, and other community-centered applications. Projects were evaluated on numerous criteria, including problem definition and community relevance, alignment with the President’s and his Administration’s priorities, and originality and creativity.

State champion teams presented their work to regional panels in April. Regional winners will advance to the national finals in Washington, D.C., in June.

DoWEA commends all participating students and educators for their innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the responsible use of AI tools.

DoWEA operates as a field activity of the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness in the Office of the Secretary of War. It is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing prekindergarten through 12th-grade educational programs for the Department of War. DoWEA operates 161 accredited schools in nine districts in 11 foreign countries, seven states, Guam, and Puerto Rico, serving more than 67,000 military-connected students. DoWEA fosters well-rounded, lifelong learners through its academic programs, ensuring continued innovation and excellence, while advancing a strong focus on patriotism, classical learning, and civics education to support military-connected children on behalf of the Department’s military families.

• Date Taken: 04.14.2026
• Date Posted: 05.04.2026 10:10
• Story ID: 564291
• Location: ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, US
• Hometown: ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, US