(ANGOLA) - Student-built apps focused on recycling, shared laundry access and running shoe selection captured the top prizes at Trine University's annual Storm Tank college and community competition.
The March 25 event drew 17 student project ideas, with the top 10 advancing to finals presentations before judges inside the Mark and Sarah Music / Ruoff Mortgage Esports Arena.
Cash prizes for the annual entrepreneurship competition were funded through a gift from Farmers State Bank.
A trio of app concepts finished at the top.
Taking the $2,000 first-place prize was Abigail Hansen, a chemical engineering major from Frankfort, Illinois, for ReCraft.
The mobile app allows users to scan an item with their phone and instantly learn how to recycle it in their local area, while also using game-style challenges and rewards to encourage more community participation.
The $1,500 second-place award went to the team behind LaundrySync, an app concept designed for dorms, apartment buildings and laundromats that would allow users to reserve washers and dryers and monitor time remaining on each load.
That team included Adison Hildebrand of Berrien Springs, Michigan; Annika Schrock of Goshen; Elli Baker of North Manchester; and Lilliana Gonzales of Fort Wayne.
The $1,000 third-place prize went to Piper Barker, a chemical engineering major from Evansville, for the Running Shoe Recommender.
Her app would help runners and walkers choose the right shoe based on weekly mileage, pace, arch type, width, cushioning preference and budget.
The annual Storm Tank competition highlights student entrepreneurship and product development, with this year's winning ideas centered on solving practical, everyday problems.