TMS students were named the grand prize winner in the Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains STEM competition Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

The selection translates to $50,000 for the school’s STEM department and an interactive exhibit at Science City at Union Station. TMS students won the grand prize in 2019. That means there will be two exhibits at Science City based on TMS students’ entries when this year’s entry comes to life as an exhibit.

Tonganoxie’s student-led proposal exploring the inner workings of cars was selected as the grand prize winner. TMS students created the winning concept, Mechanical Madness: The Science of Cars. The proposal invites visitors to explore the world of automotive mechanics through interactive, hands-on experiences. It was selected from 710 entrants through a competition that invited student teams to imagine, research and provide original exhibit concepts aligned with Science City’s mission to spark curiosity and inspire future innovators.

“Tonganoxie Middle School’s proposal demonstrates the power of student innovation,” says Leslie Duke, chair and CEO of Burns & McDonnell. “By focusing on cars — something we all use every day — the team created a concept that makes engineering approachable, exciting and relevant to everyday life.”

The winning exhibit will be designed and constructed by Burns & McDonnell professionals, transforming the student vision into a permanent, interactive experience at Science City. Set to open in 2027, the exhibit will invite visitors to go under the hood to explore how cars work and how engineering shapes the way we move through the world.

“This proposal captures exactly what Science City is all about: learning through curiosity, creativity and play,” says George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station Kansas City. “Mechanical Madness will give families a new reason to return again and again, inviting kids and adults alike to explore how everyday things like cars work.”

Each of the top 20 finalist teams in Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains earned a share of $157,500 in grant money.

• Grand prize: $50,000 — Tonganoxie Middle School, Tonganoxie USD 464, “Mechanical Madness: The Science of Cars”

• Second place: $25,000 — Cottonwood Point Elementary School, Blue Valley Schools, “Sound All Around”

• Third place: $20,000 — Graden Elementary School, Park Hill School District, “Subterranean Secrets”

• Fourth place: $15,000 — Clinton Middle School, Clinton School District, “Disaster Strikes”

• Fifth place: $10,000 — Ingels Elementary School, Hickman Mills C-1 School District, “Inside Out”

Since 2011, the Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition has offered a unique model for student engagement by connecting more than 45,000 students to hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning and helping inspire eight Science City exhibits, including Light Lab, which opened in May 2025. It’s part of the ongoing commitment of Burns & McDonnell to support STEM education and community partnerships that empower students to see themselves as designers, engineers and problem-solvers.

“This unique program shows what’s possible when educators, community partners and industry work together,” says Julee Koncak, director of the Burns & McDonnell Foundation. “From inspiring thousands of students to helping bring multiple Science City exhibits to life, Battle of the Brains reflects our broader mission to expand access to meaningful STEM opportunities.”

Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains is just one of the many STEM-focused initiatives supported by the Burns & McDonnell Foundation. Other programs include a national STEM grant program, high school job shadows, student camps and additional partnerships with other science centers around the country.

Centrally located in the heart of Kansas City and part of the historic and acclaimed Union Station complex, Science City boasts more than 325 interactive and static exhibits covering nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of inside and outdoor space. Internationally awarded for “Visitor Experience” by ASTC and regionally awarded “Favorite Family Friendly Attraction” by Visit KC Visitors Choice Awards, Science City powered by Burns & McDonnell is named one of the country’s TOP 25 science centers. Annually, it educates and entertains hundreds of thousands of science-thirsty children of all ages. Kansas City’s Science Center is THE place for inquisitive young minds to create, explore, and experiment with the BIG world of science through hands-on learning and non-stop fun. Visit sciencecity.com for details.

The 2019 grand prize selection is called Step Right Up and is a carnival-themed exhibit that applies science, math and more to help visitors understand and master carnival games.

In 2017, A Tonganoxie High School group finished fourth in the Battle of the Brains.