IDX - Idaho Exhibition of Ideas
Opportunity Goals & Objectives
The goal of Idaho Exhibition of Ideas (IDX) is to equip students with the practical, technical, and creative skills needed to engage with real-world problems of today and tomorrow.
Brief Description
Idaho Exhibition of Ideas (IDX) is a multi-week, team-based digital design and fabrication competition where students learn and practice design, iteration, and rapid prototyping skills with 3D printing technology. Student teams brainstorm, develop, and prototype an idea for a solution that responds to a challenge theme and incorporates 3D design/printing in some way. Each team works with an educator Coach, who guides the team through the design process and assists with documentation. IDX culminates in a regional Student Showcase, where teams will present their solution to a panel of judges and compete for prizes.
The Challenge Theme for the Spring 2024 Student Showcase is Veterinary Science. You can find more information about this theme, as well as suggested topic areas and resources, in the “2024 Theme Information” section at the end of the Team Guide linked on this page.
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. A Student’s Choice project will also be awarded.
Showcase Dates & Locations:
Southwest Idaho (SWISH):
February 24, 2024
Location: Micron Center for Materials Research at Boise State University
North & North Central (INNC):
March 8, 2024
Location: TBD
South & South East (ISEE):
March 8, 2024
Location: TBD
- Each team should consist of 4-6 youth.
- Youth must be in grades 5-10. Submissions for the 2024 Showcase will be judged in two divisions: Junior (Grades 5-6) and Senior (Grades 7-10). Mixed-grade teams are welcome; however, division will be determined based on the grade level of the oldest student on the team.
- Each team should have at least 1 adult coach who is responsible for guiding the team, assisting with documentation and submission, and coordinating travel to the Showcase.
- Coaches should have previously completed an Idaho FabSLAM or IDX 3D Printing / Digital Fabrication for Educators training between 2016-2023. Schools/organizations where one staff member has completed this training may be eligible to bring additional teams, led by Coaches who have not received training, provided there is collaboration with the educator who has been trained. One coach should not lead more than one team.
- Teams must have access to a 3D printer and associated software in order to complete their Showcase entry.
Please contact Erica Compton with questions about team/coach eligibility.
Past IDX Winners!
1st Place – Senior
1st Place Senior – Project Impact STEM Academy
Project: Space Trash Collector
1st Place – Junior
1st Place Junior – Syringa Middle School
Team: Little Einsteins
3rd Place – Junior
3rd Place Junior – Pepper Ridge Elementary
Project: Life in Space
All Teams!
Congratulations to all teams!
1st Place – Senior
1st Place Senior – Kimberly Middle School
Team: Fantastic 5
Project: Pandora’s Box
1st Place – Junior
1st Place Junior – JR Simplot Elementary
2nd Place – Senior
2nd Place Senior – Donald J Hobbs Middle School
2nd Place – Junior
2nd Place Junior – JR Simplot Elementary
3rd Place – Senior
3rd Place Senior – Pocatello Community Charter
3rd Place – Junior
3rd Place Junior – Roberts Elementary
Student’s Choice
2nd Place Senior – Donald J Hobbs Middle School
1st Place
1st Place – Donnell School of the Arts
Team: 3D Doves
Project: Daily Student Schedule adapted with Braille elements
2nd Place
2nd Place – Rock Creek Elementary
Team: The BARD
Project: A belt with sensors that will beep within one foot of any type of object except cotton.
3rd Place
3rd Place – Pepper Ridge Elementary School
Team: P.A.W.S.
Project: Word, sentence or story builder for braille.
Student’s Choice
Student’s Choice – Burley Junior/Senior High School
Team: Soap on a Rope
Project: Tool to assist visually impaired in identifying correct product in the shower.
1st Place
1st Place – Snake River Middle School
Team: SRMS
Project: Shopper Sense. Shopping sensor alerts to correct aisle and items on shopping list.
2nd Place
2nd Place – Madison Junior High School
Team: Scribbled Mushrooms
Project: Magnified Book Guide
3rd Place
3rd Place – White Pine STEM Academy
Student’s Choice
Student’s Choice – Donald J Hobbs Middle School
1st Place/Student’s Choice
1st Place and Student’s Choice – J. Russell Elementary School, Moscow
Team: Elementary Pink Bananas
Project: Proximity sensor for a cane that alerts to overhead hazards.
2nd Place
2nd Place – Lena Whitmore Elementory School, Moscow
3rd Place
3rd Place – Genesee Junior/Senior High School, Genesee
Team: Conch, Inc.
Project: Customized Animal Figurines with Braille Baseplate Descriptions