GRAND PRIZE WINNER
This Grand Prize winning idea will be honored with a $25,000 community grant (via Chicago Cares, a HandsOn Network affiliate) from the BE BIG Fund:


Name: Andre de Avila
Age: 25
Team Entry: 4 Team Members
Hometown: River Forest, IL
BIG Idea: Rooftop Playground

As it stands, our school—which serves students in grades pre-k 3 through eighth grade—has neither a playground nor even a grassy area that allows for save outside play and learning. Just outside the early childhood classrooms, however, a window-level roof exists. Our BIG idea is to transform this empty rooftop into an eco-friendly garden- playground! Since it is located right outside of our classroom, this would be the ideal safe play area for our children. And not only would it provide our early childhood program with a much needed space for regular play and learning, but it would offer the older grades endless opportunities for special year-round garden-based science projects. It is important to us that we not only offer our students the best education and environment for learning, but also instill in them the values of working hard towards making a difference. With this idea, we will be able to create an eco-friendly space that betters our school community as well as teaches our students the important of caring for our earth and making a difference!

Participating HandsOn Network Affiliate Organization: Chicago Cares