PROJECT INVENT ANNUAL COMMUNITY AWARD WINNERS
This page celebrates the exceptional individuals recognized annually for their outstanding contributions to student success. Here, you'll find profiles of our current and past winners, showcasing their unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and impactful mentorship.
Explore the inspiring stories of those who have shaped and supported the next generation of creative thinkers and change-makers.
2025
FELLOW OF THE YEAR
Louise Palardy
Louise Palardy lives in Clarkston Michigan and teaches at Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Pontiac Michigan. She believes with invention education students develop confidence, resilience, and leadership skills. They learn new ways of thinking and how to turn challenges into opportunities. As an innovative teacher, her interest is to see every student have this chance. Her background is in Chemical Engineering and STEM Education, coaching VEX robotics for elementary, middle, and high school students, and teaching high school Chemistry and Engineering and Empathy (Project Invent). Every student should have the opportunity to realize they can make an impact by solving problems. She loves seeing how excited students are when they discover that they can make a difference in someone else’s life. Every student should be empowered in authentic ways.
EMERGING FELLOW OF THE YEAR
Katherine Erich
Katherine is honored to be the Project Invent Emerging Fellow of the Year. This is her 9th year teaching in NYC Public Schools and her third year at Claremont International High School in the Bronx. Katherine is currently teaching high school physics to seniors. Although Project Invent isn't directly related to the content she is teaching, and has found it incredibly powerful to help students connect science concepts to real world applications. The students are leading the curriculum with Project Invent. She is impressed with their creativity, tenacity, and innovation in building prototypes designed to help the Department of Transportation.
COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR
David Arcement
David Arcement serves as the Executive Director of Traffic Control and Engineering at the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT). He oversees citywide operations for all non-electronic traffic control devices, including the installation and maintenance of signage, flexible bollards, pavement markings, fencing, and other roadway safety infrastructure. David partnered with students at Claremont International High School, sharing insights into the projects managed by his unit, the challenges faced, and the solutions developed. In turn, students proposed their own ideas, to which David provided constructive feedback, fostering a meaningful exchange of ideas between industry and education.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Priyanka Sanghvi
Priyanka Sanghvi is a product strategist and creative at heart with a love for turning ideas into meaningful experiences. Over the years, she’s worked on everything from smart home tech to consumer electronics to creative platforms, always focusing on building with purpose. Volunteering with Project Invent has been one of the most fulfilling parts of her journey — helping students, the next generation, bring real-world impact through innovation and empathy. Priyanka so grateful to be part of this inspiring community!
Fellow of the Year
Project Invent Fellows are educators and youth leaders who ignite student excitement with transformative learning opportunities. The Fellow of the Year Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies Project Invent’s Theory of Change and has made exceptional contributions to furthering our vision of creating a generation of fearless, compassionate problem solvers.
Emerging Fellow of the Year
Each year, Project Invent welcomes a cohort of new youth educators to join our returning fellows in bringing Project Invent to students across the country. The Emerging Fellow of the Year Award recognizes new fellows who have made stellar contributions to the Project Invent community in their first year.
Community Partner of the Year
As a crucial part of the Project Invent program, Community Partners collaborate with students to share honest feedback as students design solutions to challenges in the world around them. The Community Partner of the Year Award recognizes outstanding individuals who supported a Project Invent student team by embracing the invention journey and investing in their success.
Volunteer of the Year
Project Invent Volunteers bolster students seeking to gain the tools and mindsets of future changemakers. The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes exemplary members of this community who have profoundly impacted Project Invent’s students through their feedback, technical support, and motivation, and by illuminating career and growth opportunities to student participants.
Champion of the Year
The Champion of the Year is an administrator, educator, or support staff member who plays a vital role in supporting fellows as they implement Project Invent across an entire grade level, school, distinct, or region. This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of these individuals in supporting educators and creating student inventors.