Presented by BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

We invite local high school students to participate in the Baltimore Case Study Challenge at the historic Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, celebrating innovation and honoring the legacy of civil rights pioneer Thurgood Marshall. Once an abandoned school, the revitalized center now thrives as a community hub and research facility, embodying Marshall’s spirit of justice and empowerment.

Our friends at the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport would like your help answering one of the following questions:

  1. Building a Better Baltimore. Baltimore is experiencing exciting growth, but there are still key challenges to address—like improving education, making neighborhoods safer, fixing transportation issues, expanding job opportunities, and strengthening the economy. If you could focus on one of these areas (or another issue you think is important), what specific improvement would you propose? How could local communities, businesses, and government work together to make this change happen? Think about partnerships, programs, or policies that could create long-term impact.
  2. Civic Engagement and Creating Change. Thurgood Marshall’s legacy as a civil rights leader and Supreme Court Justice highlights the power of young people engaging in civics, as their voices and actions are essential in meaningful change. Young people may not always have the ability to vote, but they can still play a big role in shaping their communities and influencing decisions at the state and national levels. How can youth get more involved in civic engagement and create real change? Develop a plan for a toolkit, resource library, or set of actionable steps that could help young people take initiative, advocate for issues, and make an impact—without relying on voting. Consider ways to engage leaders, raise awareness, or bring communities together to solve problems.
  3. The Future of STEM & Aviation. Baltimore was recently named a “Tech Hub,” making it a growing center for innovation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and aviation. What’s one technological advancement you think will have a major impact on the future? Why is it important, and how could it be implemented in Baltimore to benefit the city and its residents? Your proposal should explore how this innovation could shape daily life, the local economy, and future career opportunities for young people.

Note: The Congressional Award is a non-partisan organization that encourages civic engagement and leadership. While we want you to explore important social issues, proposals for this case study competition should focus on solutions rather than political viewpoints.

Timeline and Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: Submit using the application below by Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
  • Announcement of Selected Teams: The top 5 teams will be notified via email and will receive further instructions within a week of the application deadline.
  • Preparation and Mentorship Phase: Selected teams will participate in a series of virtual check-ins throughout the month of April with Congressional Award staff, mentors from BWI, and subject matter experts to refine their solutions and presentations.
  • Competition Day: Selected teams must be available to present at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM EST.

Teams must submit their application with a short proposal video to be eligible for participation.