Four District 203 students will pitch their plant-watering invention to a panel of investors in downtown Chicago on Wednesday, July 8, competing for national funding after winning $3,000 at their school's May 11 entrepreneurship night.

Katelyn Burke, Benjamin Reed, Mahika Solanki, and Jack Swigert developed Plant Pal, a self-watering device that prevents overwatering and underwatering for potted plants, through the INCubatoredu program at Naperville Central High School, where the team is registered. The team won first place at the District 203 INCubatoredu Pitch Night, earning seed money from the Naperville Education Foundation to continue building their business.

They're now one of five finalist teams from across the United States and Canada selected to pitch at the 2026 INCubatoredu National Pitch at Convene Willis Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive. The event is part of the Uncharted Learning National Summit running Monday, July 7, through Wednesday, July 9.

"We're preparing for a big presentation next week! I have full confidence in our team and the work we've put in. We are ready to blow some minds!" Jack Swigert wrote on the team's LinkedIn page.

The path from classroom to national stage moved fast. Plant Pal was among 25 quarter-finalists announced by May 29, then advanced to 10 semifinalists by June 1, and was named one of five finalists by June 8. The team has already opened pre-orders on its website for small, medium, and large versions of the device.

Plant Pal wasn't the only District 203 team recognized at the May 11 pitch night. Looped placed second and earned $2,000 in seed funding, while KALM placed third and earned $1,000. Six student teams total presented that evening, with students from both Naperville Central and Naperville North participating.

The INCubatoredu program is a yearlong course at both high schools where student teams develop their own product or service idea, guided by volunteer business mentors. The Naperville Education Foundation serves as fiscal agent, with sponsorship from Molex and Calamos Investments. District 203 also offers a second-year accelerator course and a 12-week version for eighth graders at each junior high.

The July 8 national pitch will be live-streamed on the Uncharted Learning website.