WU hosts EdVenture EQT STEM Days pitch event for local middle schoolers

Waynesburg University partnered with The EdVenture Group and the EQT Foundation to host their STEM Days Middle School Pitch Competition on May 19, welcoming middle school students from across Greene County to campus for a day of entrepreneurship, innovation and STEM-focused learning.

Building on the success of the 2025 EQT STEM Days Design Thinking Challenges, this year's competition engaged middle school students in entrepreneurship and design thinking through a hands-on experience that challenged them to develop and pitch original business ideas.

Participating schools hosted their own school-level competitions throughout the spring, with up to three teams from each school advancing to the countywide challenge held at the University. A total of 50 students representing five Greene County school districts formed 13 teams and presented their ideas before a panel of judges. Teams were evaluated using a scoring rubric, and cash prizes were awarded to the top-performing groups.

The EdVenture Group has partnered with the EQT Foundation since 2018 to provide educational programming for Greene County schools. Previous initiatives have included esports competitions, drone competitions, design thinking workshops and creativity challenges. The 2026 Pitch Challenge was created to further develop students' creativity, critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills while exposing them to entrepreneurial concepts.

This marked the first time the county-level competition was hosted at Waynesburg University.

"Last year, we partnered with The EdVenture Group and visited various middle schools around Greene County," said Cassy Dorsch, director of the eHIVE, the University's entrepreneurial hub. "This year, The EdVenture Group wanted to give students a formal pitch experience in a central location and asked us if we would be interested in partnering again and hosting the event on campus, so that students from all five Greene County school districts could attend the event, pitch and also enjoy a day on campus. We were excited and happy to host the event."

In addition to delivering their pitches, students participated in campus tours led by University admissions staff and completed hands-on activities in the eHIVE. Students also gathered for lunch in the University's dining hall before returning for an awards ceremony and winner announcements.

The partnership between Waynesburg University and The EdVenture Group grew from a connection facilitated by Provost Dr. Mindy Walls and expanded through the shared mission of fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among students. Provost Walls is a longtime friend of The EdVenture Group and current member of its Board of Directors.

Dorsch and the eHIVE team played a key role in coordinating campus activities and creating meaningful learning experiences for participants throughout the day.

"It was incredibly inspiring to see middle schoolers share their ideas and passion to solve problems in their own communities within Greene County," Dorsch said. "Our eHIVE program works to foster the Entrepreneurial Leadership mindset and develop problem-solving skills in a variety of ways. This event allowed students who are already developing the Entrepreneurial Leadership mindset in middle school to showcase new business ideas that are impactful and meaningful to their communities."

Jennifer Wotring, senior program manager at The EdVenture Group, was on campus for the event, alongside colleague Casey Patterson, Director of Future Readiness at EdVenture. Patterson graduated from the University in 2012 and currently serves on its Alumni Council.

Wotring praised the students and the partners who helped make the event possible.

"We are truly grateful to the EQT Foundation for its continued investment in the STEM Days program, which makes this work possible," Wotring said. "We also appreciate the ongoing partnership and support of Waynesburg University and the eHIVE, which strengthened this year's program and enhanced the overall learning experience. I was especially impressed by the creativity, innovation and confidence shown in the students' ideas and pitches, and I extend my appreciation to the Greene County educators whose guidance and support helped make their success possible."

About Waynesburg U.

Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University's Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.

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