On December 3, 2025, the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) hosted its first annual Keystone Competition at the BCIU Main Office. Offered statewide, the Keystone Challenge is a rigorous STEM challenge for students in grades K-5, blending elements of a “hack-a-thon” and a “Shark Tank” pitch to promote creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.
The competition required no advance preparation. Student teams arrived on the day of the event to learn the challenge and were asked to rely solely on creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork to develop their solutions. Teams of up to five students worked together in an environment designed to remove barriers to participation and inspire innovative thinking among young learners.
Eight local business representatives volunteered their time to serve as judges, evaluating and scoring student projects while engaging directly with participants throughout the event.
Eleven Berks County schools participated in the Keystone Competition, including Antietam School District, Brandywine Heights Area School District, Conrad Weiser Area School District, Exeter Township School District, Muhlenberg School District, Oley Valley School District, Sacred Heart School, Schuylkill Valley School District, St. Ignatius Loyola Regional School, Tulpehocken Area School District, and Wilson School District.
Judging took place in two divisions: Kindergarten through Grade 2, and Grades 3 through 5. Winning teams included:
Kindergarten through Grade 2 Division
· 1st Place – Mini-Mount Engineers, Stony Creek Elementary School, Antietam School District
· 2nd Place – Sacred Heart Warriors, from Sacred Heart School
· Tied for 3rd Place – Future Force, Conrad Weiser Elementary School West, Conrad Weiser Area School District
· Tied for 3rd Place – STEAMMATES, Conrad Weiser Elementary School West, Conrad Weiser Area School District
Grades 3 through 5 Division
· 1st Place – The Gear Girls, Penn Bernville Elementary School, Tulpehocken Area School District
· 2nd Place – Bullet Think Tank, Brandywine Heights Area Elementary School, Brandywine Heights Area School District
· 3rd Place – Owatin Creek, Owatin Creek Elementary School, Exeter Township School District
The Keystone Challenge highlighted the BCIU’s commitment to fostering early STEM engagement, innovation, and meaningful partnerships between schools and the local business Community.