The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has announced the winners of its 2026 EngineerTeen Writing Contest with a local Katy student taking top honors among high school participants.

Grace Xie, an eleventh-grade student at Seven Lakes High School, placed first among high school students with her entry “Sketching Solutions.”

This year’s contest prompt, “The Art of Engineering,” invited students in elementary through high school to explore the connections between art and engineering by creating an original piece of artwork that illustrates how engineers make the world a better place, accompanied by written reflections on their creative process. Students were challenged to apply the engineering design process—from research and planning to creation, testing, and reflection—to showcase at least three engineering contributions that improve society. Prizes were awarded to students based on grade level.

Awards for contest winners are $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place. Winning entries, along with honorable mention entries, are published on the EngineerTeen website at https://www.engineerteen.org/23279.

“Congratulations to the students selected as winners of this year’s EngineerTeen Writing Contest,” said NAE President Tsu-Jae Liu. “While art and engineering are distinct disciplines, both rely on observation, imagination, and the ability to bring ideas to life. It is especially inspiring to see creative expression used to communicate the impact of engineering and the many ways it shapes our world.”

About the National Academy of Engineering

Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides leadership and expertise on engineering and technology issues that shape the future of society. The NAE advances public welfare and economic prosperity by offering independent advice to government, industry, and the public, while promoting a vibrant engineering profession and greater understanding of engineering’s impact on everyday life. EngineerTeen is a platform designed to inform, support, and engage an inclusive community, for youth and those who support them, dedicated to ensuring the future engineering workforce is truly representative of the nation and open to anyone with an interest in shaping the future.