Kansas Students Pitch Ideas Shark Tank-Style at 64th R&D Forum

Students in Kansas are getting ready to show off their best ideas and compete for real money to bring their innovations to life.

The Shawnee Mission School District is hosting its 64th annual Research and Development Forum this April, featuring three days of student showcases and a Shark Tank-style pitch competition. The event celebrates student creativity across science, arts, and career education projects.

Families and community members can attend free open houses from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 21, 22, and 23 at the Center for Academic Achievement in Shawnee Mission. The showcases feature interactive displays where students demonstrate everything from science experiments to visual arts and technical education work.

The excitement peaks on April 25 with "The Next Great Idea" pitch competition. Students will present their innovative concepts to judges in a format inspired by the popular TV show Shark Tank, competing for prize money to turn their ideas into reality.

The competition starts at 9 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. Both events will be livestreamed, and community members can vote for the People's Choice Award online through the district website.

The Ripple Effect

For more than six decades, this forum has given students a platform to think like inventors, artists, and entrepreneurs. The event shows students their ideas matter and deserve an audience beyond the classroom.

The Shawnee Mission School District serves nearly 28,000 students across 34 elementary schools, five middle schools, and five high schools in northeast Johnson County. The district has earned consistent recognition for high student performance nationwide.

The Regnier Family has supported the R&D Forum for years, helping maintain this tradition of celebrating student innovation. Their backing ensures students continue having opportunities to share their creativity with their community.

This year's forum proves that when schools invest in student ideas, young people rise to the challenge with projects worth celebrating.