Cobb Tank 2025: Innovation in Education Takes Center Stage

Nov. 6, 2025

November 6, 2025 — The annual Cobb Tank competition returned this year with another inspiring showcase of creativity, collaboration, and bold educational innovation. Sponsored by the Cobb County School District’s Academic Division and coordinated by the STEM/STEAM & Innovation Department, Cobb Tank is an opportunity for educators to bring their most innovative ideas to life and turn classroom dreams into reality.

Cobb Tank is inspired by the popular TV show Shark Tank, an event that invites applicants to enter the tank and pitch their projects to a panel of investors. Teachers and schools can apply for up to $10,000 in funding to bring their innovative ideas to life. This year, eight schools had eight minutes each to present their projects to a panel of “sharks."

"Cobb Tank is one of my favorite events each year because it celebrates the creativity and bold thinking of our educators. It’s inspiring to see innovative ideas come to life—from our youngest learners in elementary school to our oldest students in high school,” explained Dr. Adam Casey, STEM/STEAM & Innovation Supervisor, “Being able to support these projects and help turn big ideas into reality across Cobb County Schools is what innovation in education is all about and illustrates our priority in the Academic Division."

After a round of powerful presentations, the sharks awarded nearly $70,000 in total to projects that spanned science, engineering, literacy, environmental education, and sensory development.

This Year's Sharks:

Adam Hill, Assistant Superintendent, Middle Schools
Debbie Broadnax, Principal at Ford Elementary School
Paul Gillihan, Principal at Campbell High School
Amanda Dillard, Special Education Teacher at Pope High School and 2025 District Teacher of the Year
Allison Carter, Director of Cobb Safety Village
Dr. Preethi Titu, Associate Professor of Science Education at Kennesaw State University

Each shark brings a unique lens to evaluating the projects. They look for innovation, sustainability, and a direct impact on student learning.

Cobb Tank 2025 Winning Proposals:

South Cobb Early Learning Center	Early Learning Sensory Garden	$10,000
Sprayberry High School	Engineering for the Stars	$8,000
Durham Middle School	STEAM on Wheels	$7,650
South Cobb High School	We are the Eagle SynBio Squad	$9,300
Pickett's Mill Elementary School	The Treasure Trail	$10,000
Barber Middle School	Acworth Clean Stream	$8,000
Austell Elementary School	Top C.H.E.F.S.	$5,000
Pebblebrook High School	Cells in Motion	$10,000

The South Cobb Early Learning Center - Early Learning Sensory Garden, awarded $10,000

The SCELC will transform its current garden into a sensory garden that promotes hands-on exploration and holistic child development. The interactive outdoor space will support sensory processing, motor skills, and emotional regulation, particularly benefiting children with developmental or sensory needs. The garden will bring nature-based learning to life for the district's youngest learners.

Sprayberry High School - Engineering for the Stars, awarded $8,000

Sprayberry's "Engineering for the Stars" project will launch students into the "Build the Moon Challenge," where they'll design and test concrete made from lunar regolith to build strong, sustainable structures on the moon using minimal Earth materials. The project is aligned with NASA's Artemis Program, which aims to establish a permanent lunar base and prepare for future missions to Mars. The project will also support the creation of a NASA Engineering Lab (NEL) at Sprayberry, providing a hub for innovation and future research opportunities such as FastLabs, Zero-G experiments, and NASA SEES internships. (Earlier this year, Sprayberry educators took flight to help students learn STEM through aviation.)

Durham Middle School - STEAM on Wheels, awarded $7,650

Durham's "STEAM on Wheels" initiative will deploy three portable, fully stocked STEAM carts that bring creative learning directly to every classroom. The goal of the initiative is to make STEAM education more accessible and equitable by equipping teachers across all subjects with tools for engaging in interdisciplinary projects to inspire problem-solving and collaboration. The carts are reusable and provide lasting resources to transform everyday instruction into dynamic, real-world learning experiences.

South Cobb High School - We are the Eagle SynBio Squad, awarded $9,300

The "Eagle SynBio Squad", a team of 10 students, will compete in the BioBuilderClub synthetic biology season by designing a project that targets cellular cancer mutations modeled in E. coli. Funding will support lab essentials, including a Nanodrop spectrophotometer, which enables students to conduct authentic research and quantitative analysis as they gain professional-level experience in molecular biology and biomedical research.

Pickett's Mill Elementary School - The Treasure Trail, awarded $10,000

Pickett's Mill will create "The Treasure Trail", an outdoor learning environment and wildlife observation path featuring six interactive stations. Students will explore soil, ecosystems, erosion, and mindfulness while strengthening their curiosity and environmental awareness. The project will also foster partnerships with adjoining high schools, deepening community connections to benefit students across all grade levels.

Barber Middle School - Acworth Clean Stream, awarded $8,000

At Barber Middle, students will design and build eco-friendly, AI-enhanced prototypes to protect and sustain Lake Acworth. Students will use micro:bits, Makey Makeys, and AI for data analysis and creative communication. The project incorporates science, engineering, and technology as students research, build, and present solutions at the "Lake Acworth STEAM Expo."

Austell Elementary School - Top C.H.E.F.S, awarded $5,000

Austell Elementary's "Top C.H.E.F.S" program will build a Hydroponics Garden and Kitchen Lab, where students can learn about sustainability, nutrition, and science through hands-on experimentation. The initiative will cultivate environmental responsibility, provide fresh local produce, and serve as a model for sustainable, holistic education in other schools.

Pebblebrook High School - Cells in Motion, awarded $10,000

Pebblebrook's "Cells in Motion" project promises to transform ninth-grade biology learning through the use of AmScope B120 digital microscopes, which enable interactive, hands-on exploration of cells and biological processes. These microscopes feature 2500x magnification, 5MP cameras, and digital software that allows students to label, measure, and analyze specimens collaboratively while capturing and projecting high-resolution images for class discussion. The goal of the project is to deepen understanding of cell biology, genetics, and microbiology.

Every one of these innovative ideas reflects a shared commitment to students and preparing them for the future. As the funded projects begin to take shape in the classroom, Cobb Tank continues to serve as a reminder that innovation is thriving in Cobb County Schools and is leading to student success.