The Sandbox is our creative innovation hub, a space for students of all levels to experiment and apply STEM and skills to projects that make a difference. Participants can prototype apps, models, or systems inspired by ecology and sustainability, and see their work showcased across Bird2Branch’s global network. Every two months, the Sandbox hosts a challenge featuring a new STEM theme designed to help students explore scientific concepts creatively. The goal is to learn, experiment, and make a positive impact on your community. 

What to submit

Demographic requirements: All students high school and up are permitted to compete regardless of age or country of origin. All projects must be submitted in English to avoid hurdles with judging.

Contestants may choose one of the 4 formats below. The project should not take an extensive amount of time to create, and formats are meant to be accessible and fun.

1. Research write-up
   Address a stereochemistry concept or idea and its real-world impact.
   Include your own diagrams or pictures (hand-drawn or online tools encouraged), not images from the internet.
   Submit a document with 1-2 pages of length.

2. Creative project
   Build a 3D molecular model using household items, printed kits, or software (e.g., MolView).
   This can be an existing molecule or one that you designed on your own that could be scientifically accurate.
   Submit a document with photos and explanation, or a short explanatory video including your model. 

3. Illustration
   Make an informative illustration, infographic, comic, or digital diagram.
   Highlight a molecule, concept, idea, or real world application.
   Submit a document (for a comic with multiple pages) or high-resolution image.

4. Short Reflection and Presentation
   Explain a concept you explored, real-world connection, and how it ties into STEM, conservation, or your own interests.
   Use slides, video editing, props, skits, and/or music to make your video compelling.
   Include a call to action.
   Feel free to bring friends, family, and pets into this!

No matter the format chosen, it is required for the contestant to do at least three impactful things for the community with their project. This can be as small as presenting to their science class about their research or getting a few friends together to clean up the specific pollutants they mention. Photos and supplementary material of these actions must be uploaded to the submission form, and a few additional questions reflecting on the project must also be answered.

Submission timeline

Submit all work through the official Google Form. In addition to uploading your project file and supplementary materials, you will be asked for name, grade, and school, project title, submission format (write-up, model, illustration, video), your 3 impactful actions, and a few other reflections about your project.

We hosted a kickoff webinar and virtual lab diving into stereochemistry, providing examples of molecules and crafts that could serve as good submissions. Check out the resources at our events page here.

• Kickoff Webinar and Lab: January 25th

• Submission Deadline: March 1st

• Feedback and Winners: Within 2 weeks after submissions close, everyone will be contacted with results.

Judging & prizes

Your projects are going to be evaluated on creativity, originality, clarity of explanation, community intention and impact,  and connection to the theme and STEM concepts. 

Prizes and incentives include:

• Certifications and credential badges

• Social media spotlight with 5k+ audience

• LinkedIn endorsement & letter of recommendation

• Projects published in Bird2Branch Sandbox

• Collaborate with mentors that have published peer-reviewed research to transform work into a professional preprint

• Be invited to small group mentorship for conference & community impact opportunities regarding the project

Beginner tips

• If you need any guidance, you are welcome to contact us at bird2branch.nonprofit@gmail.com! You should also ask your teachers at your school for opinions and critique on your work.

• Your submission does not need to be flashy, a simple diagram paired with a clear explanation can gain recognition as long as it's concise, meaningful, and explains your idea. We are looking for scientific potential, not influencer TikToks.

• You don’t need to come up with a very specific idea right off the bat. Take your time and find an area of interest, then research about it. It's the best way to dive into deeper rabbit holes and find something that you can ultimately use as inspiration for your main idea.

• Create multiple drafts, practice makes progress and that is how you can make your project go from good to great.

• Use reliable sources. School databases and online databases like Google Scholar can be very helpful!

Bird2Branch's Sandbox previously hosted regularly updated resource guides and informative blogs, which served as helpful for career exploration and securing research opportunities.

Our posts served as a platform to students, researchers, and professionals for sharing information, current events, commentary, and tips in regards to the connection of birds and STEM, fine arts, and the human experience. Though the resource guides and blogs have been discontinued, existing materials remain on this page as helpful references to interested students. 

All opinionated pieces are reflective of the writers' attitudes and not the organization as a whole, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

🧭 Resource guides 

01. Exploring STEAM via birds with valuable opportunities and resources →

An introduction to various fields in STEM and the arts, and how they relate to ornithology. Dive deep into the world of birds and pursue what piques your interest! Each section includes analysis and engaging aspects of what you could explore, and a list of helpful resources, competitions, and valuable opportunities that could be once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Feel free to skim through certain sections you are certain you have no interest in, but trying things out by simply reading this comprehensive guide would be strongly advised.

02. Significance of avian conservation and how you can impact the world with Bird2Branch →

In this resource guide, we will go in-depth on the significance of avian conservation, why current efforts aren't enough, and what you can do for the cause via getting involved in Bird2Branch and seeking your own opportunities. This guide also cites to many sources and research about avian conservation that you can use to kickstart your own project, and links to dozens of contests and university courses to build expertise about environmental impacts and its overlap with many fields.

📚 Blog posts