“Courage Caps for Kids”

Design Competition Empowers Students to Support Pediatric Cancer Patients

WAGiLabs has partnered with award-winning producer James Orrigo (www.ladinabattle.com) to launch the “Courage Caps for Kids” design competition. This unique STEM project challenges students to create innovative, multipurpose hats for pediatric cancer patients experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy.

Launch Date:

June 15, 2024

Deadline Date:

October 15, 2024

The competition encourages students to apply their creativity, problem-solving skills, and empathy to make a real difference in the lives of children fighting cancer. Each student’s design will be a “Rube Goldberg” marvel of ingenuity incorporating features to enhance comfort and enjoyment during treatment, including:

  • Mechanisms to reduce nausea and fever
  • Built-in sun protection
  • Interactive elements like games and augmented reality

Pediatric cancer patients from across the country will also contribute to the design process, sharing valuable insights into the hats’ functionality during their hospital stays.

WAGiLabs has also partnered with Ocearch Shark Tracker (www.ocearch.org) to tag each cap with a great white shark. Cap wearers can then use a smartphone app to track their shark migration in real-time.

Courage

The inspiration for the competition came when James Orrigo, founder of the Big Dreams program with the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, had the Blue Man Group (www.blueman.com) participate in one of his music videos. The performers’ iconic bald, blue heads sparked the idea for the “Courage Caps for Kids” project.

Orrigo emphasized the project’s impact: “By designing these innovative hats, students will be spreading hope and joy to pediatric cancer patients while also gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges these children face.”

The top five cap designs will each receive $500 CASH for their schools or organizations!

Here’s how to join this exciting opportunity:

  1. Round up a team of 3-5 students (grades K-12) from your school.

  2. Find an incredible adult sponsor to mentor your crew.

  3. Collaborate like never before, letting your imaginations soar.

  4. Fill out the Entry Form.

  5. Submit your “Courage Cap” design and include a video by October 15, 2024. Feel free to submit more than one design!