Altec Innovation Challenge awards $10,000 to Southampton Elementary team; EPIC named National Blue Ribbon

Birmingham City Schools leaders and partners on Jan. 14 presented awards and recognitions that highlighted student innovation and school achievement.

Altec Innovation Challenge organizers and district staff named Southampton Elementary’s Community Care Innovations (project: “Hygiene Hub”) the 2024–25 winner and presented a $10,000 prize to help bring the project to life. Cedric Tatum and ALTEC representative Lori presented certificates and said plaques would follow; the students received a ceremonial check and took a photo with board members.

ALTEC’s Lori said the competition encourages students to solve school and community problems using STEM and that the winning team receives $10,000 each year to implement their solution. Cedric Tatum noted the program has included students from throughout the district and that ALTEC has invested more than $70,000 over the last seven years in Birmingham City Schools’ finalists.

The board also recognized EPIC Elementary as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. School leaders attended a recognition event in Washington, D.C., and district officials praised EPIC’s individualized instruction approach that staff said helped the school earn national recognition.

Other recognitions included multiple finalist teams for the Altec challenge (Bison Bite — Malachi Wilkerson Middle School; OWM STEM Club — Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School; Campus Guards — William James Christian K38 School) and an employee award honoring Jonathan Hatton, history department chair at Ramsey High School, for mentorship and leadership.

Board President Meadows and board members congratulated students, teachers and partners for the work, emphasizing that events and partnerships help build student opportunities.