The community at Temple University doesn’t just support innovation; it fosters an environment that strives for it. In such a setting, the next generation of entrepreneurs, business pioneers and thought leaders can find support to lead innovation from their time on campus to when they are out in the world.  

Spotlighting these individuals, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (IEI) at the Fox School of Business hosted the 27th annual Temple University Innovative Idea Competition on Nov. 13.  

Open to all Temple University students, faculty, staff and alumni from any of the university’s 17 of the schools and colleges, the competition allows for rising entrepreneurs and innovators within the community to showcase their ideas for new products, services and technologies that can become foundations for new businesses. Winners are awarded monetary prizes for their projects. 

“An annual event like this is a great way to showcase the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that our Temple community inspires,” said Neil Johnston, director of the Fox School’s IEI Accelerator programs. 

“Our campus provides an environment where everyone on campus can think big and imagine ways to impact the status quo of invention and business—a competition like this rewards that way of thinking.”

The event garnered attention from across Temple's campus community, not only from students and faculty, but also university leadership. Provost Gregory Mandel, in his opening remarks, spoke about the importance of innovation and encouraged participants to continue moving their ideas forward. 

This year’s competition received more than 35 submissions, representing nine schools and colleges across the university. Participation is separated into two different categories: an upper track for faculty and staff, graduate students and alumni, and an undergraduate track for undergraduate students.  

Within each category, five finalists were selected for the final round of competition after undergoing rigorous evaluation from a panel of reviewers. This year’s finalists included the following.  

Upper track 

Cubby Curtains by Lisa Carey, FOX ’24 

AI-Aware Writing Environment (AAWE), an LMS/Canvas Plugin by Megan Kane, CLA ’24 

Retiremates by Tyler Collins, Class of 2025 

Sellbuyme by Will Fraser, FOX ’17 

SQZ (Squeeze) by Anjali Sachdeva, FOX ’21

Undergraduate track 

Cycle Smart by Raphael Swingley, Class of 2025 

Kick Score by Daniel Vega, Class of 2025 

Small Scale Wind Turbine by Hossam Khattab, Class of 2026 

Sputnik by Karem Tawfik, Class of 2026, and Ahela Elshrkawy, CST ’24 

Stridon Solutions by Ramdhan Russell, Class of 2026

Winning both the competition’s grand prize and first place in the “upper track” category was Megan Kane with AI-Aware Writing Environment (AAWE). The learning and management system (LMS) plugin is an application that works to resolve the issue of finding the appropriate role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools within higher education.

Usable through popular educational applications such as Canvas and Blackboard, students would be able to write and complete assignments directly through AAWE platform, allowing the professor/instructor to set the degree at which AI tools could be used while working on the assignments.

“With AAWE, we sought to develop a way in which instructors and students can come together and have clarity around the use of AI,” said Kane. “I know firsthand how instructors are still trying to define this tool of AI—I feel this platform that we are developing can be very useful in that mission."

Results

Grand Prize: AI-Aware Writing Environment (AAWE), an LMS/Canvas Plugin by Megan Kane, CLA ’24

Upper track: 

First place: AI-Aware Writing Environment (AAWE), an LMS/Canvas Plugin by Megan Kane, CLA ’24 

Second place: Retiremates by Tyler Collins, Class of 2025

Undergraduate track:  

First place: Cycle Smart by Raphael Swingley, Class of 2025 

Second place: Sputnik by Karem Tawfik, Class of 2026, and Ahela Elshrkawy, CST ’24 

People’s Choice: Kick Score by Daniel Vega, Class of 2025

Global Innovation Award: Sputnik by Karem Tawfik, Class of 2026, and Ahela Elshrkawy, CST ’24 

—Ethan Duer