Results

MVP Phase Winners

Five teams have been awarded funding in the final phase of the 2024 Nittany AI Challenge.

AdvIsor — $5,000 Winner

The AdvIsor team poses with their first place award check.

AdvIsor offers an always-available AI–powered dynamic and personalized assistance to help undergraduate students complete their degrees on time, minimizing education expenses and shortening the time needed to complete a degree. Students input their interests and passions and AdVIsor creates tailored recommendations for classes to take. AdvIsor facilitates multilingual support, ensuring equitable access to students who are not fluent in English.

Team Members:

  • Vishnu Venugopal 
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Veer Shah College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Krishna Pagrut
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park

bioWatch — $5,000 Winner

Team bioWatch poses with their first place prize.

bioWatch is an AI and computer vision solution for tracking invasive insect species that are negatively impacting ecosystems in the United States. bioWatch facilitates real-time tracking of species distribution across a region, enabling quick action to manage outbreaks. Large Language model (LLM)–powered chatbots provide tailored decision-making support to users. 

Team Members:

  • Kyle Ketterer
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Benjamin Oleynik 
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Kittiphum Pawikhum College of Agricultural Sciences and College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Ldu Ren 
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Matthew Walter 
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Yanqiu Yang
    College of Agricultural Sciences and College of Engineering, Penn State University Park

Kinderverse — $2,000 Winner 

Team Kinderverse posing with their 3rd place prize.

Kinderverse revolutionizes children’s interaction with screen-based content by turning passive screen time into enriching learning adventures. Utilizing AI, Kinderverse generates interactive and adaptive stories that immerse children aged four to six years old in learning. The technology adds a layer of engagement and makes learning a natural part of screen time.

Team Members:

  • Alex Floor 
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Ethan Flynn
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park 
  • Ashad Hanafi 
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Suraj Kumar 
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Bianca PuglinCollege of Engineering, Penn State University Park 
  • Aneesh Singh
    College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Daniel Woodford
    College of Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State University Park 

TasteMate — $2,000 Winner 

Members of team TasteMate pose with their fourth place prize.

TasteMate uses AI to provide personalized meals that fit individual dietary preferences and health needs. TasteMate generates meal recipes based on the data users provide about their diet, health concerns, medications they are taking, and preferred cuisines.

  • Alex Henri Piechucki College of Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State University Park
  • Dylan Micheal Klass College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Scott Charles Theriot College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Amin Justin Armet College of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Aaron Thomas PolanskyCollege of Engineering, Penn State University Park
  • Riley Costello College of Engineering, Penn State University Park

CARL — $2,000 Winner

Members of team CARL pose with their fifth place prize.

CARL is an AI teaching assistant designed to foster dynamic interactions between students and teachers, offering tailored support for action learning strategies. CARL enhances classroom engagement through personalized learning and promotes critical thinking.

Team Members: 

  • Sunghee ChoiCollege of Engineering, Penn State World Campus
  • Andrew Klawa College of Engineering, Penn State World Campus 
  • Neha Pandit
    College of Engineering, Penn State World Campus
  • Jared Daniel
    College of Engineering, Penn State World Campus
  • Timothy Birmingham
    College of Engineering, Penn State World Campus

Project Green Thumb — $1,000 Winner of the Vishwamitra AI Geography Award Funded by the GeoEd Foundation

Project Green Thumb members pose with their prize.

Project Green Thumb’s mission is to help homeowners and landscapers restore biodiversity to their landscapes by increasing the use of native plant species and decreasing the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Through AI chatbot technology, Project Green Thumb provides personalized, user-friendly recommendations for planting and maintaining non-invasive plants that create thriving eco-friendly landscapes. The technology enables users to learn about the value of native plants and the important ecosystems they create.

Team Members: 

  • Frank Barbano Landscape Architect and Horticulturalist
  • Nathan A. LeoCollege of Engineering, Penn State University Park 
  • Raymond YanCollege of Agricultural Sciences and College of Engineering, Penn State University Park 

Past Winners