Our project

Students designed a smart drinkware cup that changes color to detect if a beverage has been tampered with—lighting up red for spiked drinks and green for safe ones. This innovation provides a simple yet powerful tool to promote personal safety and awareness in social settings, helping to reduce risks associated with assault and human trafficking.In developing this project, students collaborated with their school’s Psychiatric Social Worker, who shared insights about the mental health challenges students face, as well as the dangers tied to substance use and abuse. Through this partnership, students deepened their understanding of how unsafe drinking situations can impact both mental health and vulnerability to exploitation. Their invention reflects a commitment to prevention, safety, and empowerment for individuals in their community and beyond.

Our inspiration

Students worked directly with their school's Psychiatric Social Worker as their Community Partner. Through this collaboration, they learned about this individual's passion for supporting the mental health needs of students as well as the risks associated with substance use and abuse. They were able to learn more about the direct impact this has on individuals' mental health as well as the increased risk this creates for things such as human trafficking.