Sponsored by Google and the Kirkland Parks Foundation, the KITE STEM Challenge encourages K-12 students to use their STEM knowledge outside the classroom. The challenge begins on April 23, 2018 and runs for three weeks during which students will have the opportunity to answer STEM-related questions to earn entries towards winning up to $10,000 for STEM programming at their schools. Students who answer questions on the app while in a geofenced Kirkland park will earn additional entries. “This challenge offers students in the Lake Washington School District a fantastic opportunity to test their STEM knowledge and get outside at the same time,” said Darcy Nothnagle, Google’s Head of External Affairs for the Northwest. “We hope this challenge will interest students who might not normally get involved with STEM activities and show them that STEM is for everyone.” Students and parents interested in participating can download the KITE STEM app from the app store on iOS or Android and earn rewards for their school as well as individual prizes from Google and the Pacific Science Center. “We are happy to have the opportunity to work with Google and other key partners to provide this challenge for students in the Lake Washington School District,” said Sally Otten, Executive Director of Kirkland Parks Foundation. “It is great way for students to have fun with STEM and potentially win financial awards that will support further STEM learning in their schools.” The school prizes will be awarded to first through third place high school, middle and elementary schools in the Lake Washington School District. The prizes range from $10,000 for the first-place High School to $1,000 for the third-place elementary school. Individual prizes include Pacific Science Center memberships and IMAX tickets as well as Google swag. The challenge runs from April 23, 2018 through May 13, 2018 with an awards ceremony at Google Kirkland on May 23, 2018. Visit kitestem.org for more information.