This summer, we asked students across the country to do something simple: put down their screens, try something new, and tell us what happened. Cartwheel's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Juliana Chen reflected on what made the challenge so meaningful, "One of the things I loved most about this challenge was how much students had to say about their own experiences with technology. We gave them an opportunity to try something different, and they shared thoughtful, funny, and sometimes surprisingly candid reflections about what they discovered."

We heard from students who put their phones in a drawer and rediscovered what it feels like to be bored, and then what can happen when boredom turns into something creative. Students cooked with their families, spent uninterrupted time with friends, explored outside, tried new hobbies, and made things with their hands. Others wrote honestly about how hard it can be to stop scrolling, even when they want to.

More than 140 students from 30 districts across 10 states shared their summers with us. Their reflections showed how much students already understand about their own relationship with technology. They noticed what screens add to their lives and what they can crowd out, and when they made space for something different, they noticed that too. As one fourth grader named Mishka put it, she was proud to stop “letting technology use me.” 

Meet the winners

Our grand prize winner is Jersey City Public Schools in New Jersey, which received a $1,000 Bookshop.org gift card for its school library. More than 50 students who were rising 5th graders submitted reflections, and many returned to the value of being present with the people they care about.

We are deeply grateful to Cartwheel for their generous support and recognition of Jersey City Public Schools. Our district is committed to promoting healthy habits and well-being. Seeing our students embrace offline learning, reading, and meaningful real-life connections is truly inspiring. Congratulations to our students and dedicated educators for leading by example in limiting technology use and showing that rich learning happens everywhere."
Dr. Norma Fernandez, Superintendent, Jersey City Public Schools

Four standout districts each received a $250 gift card for their school libraries: Huntington County Community School Corporation (IN), Shenango Area School District (PA), Downingtown Area School District (PA), and Warwick Public Schools (RI). Eight Featured Rebels were also recognized for outstanding student submissions, and seven districts received honorable mentions including Bristol-Warren Regional School District (RI), Cambridge Public Schools (MA), Lebanon School District (NH), Legacy Christian School (IN), Medway Public Schools (MA), Memphis-Shelby County Schools (TN), and Milford Public School District (MA). Their reflections and artwork are all in the highlights.

How districts brought the My Amazing Summer Challenge to students

The stories districts shared showed how each school made the challenge its own, building on the people, traditions, and routines already part of its community. We offered a toolkit as a starting point, and districts made it their own by fitting it into the people, traditions, and rhythms that already shaped their school year.

I think it matters to share these stories side by side. No two districts have the same students, staff, or schedule, and hearing how others found their way in gives every school more ideas to borrow. These stories came to us from a library media specialist, a director of behavioral health and wellness, and a classroom teacher, a reminder that anyone who cares about students can lead this work. What they had in common was how they invited students in: with a book of their own, a kickoff to look forward to, a chance to pass something on, or a celebration at the end. Here is how three districts made it work.

‍Jersey City Public Schools (NJ) created a school-wide summer reading program

The grand prize winning effort took root at Cornelia F. Bradford Elementary School, PS 16, in spring 2026. After the school's principal read The Anxious Generation, she chose The Amazing Generation as the summer read for rising fifth graders. Sylvia Hennessey, the school's School Library Media Specialist, described how the school brought that vision to life:

"This entire effort was a true labor of love at PS 16. Our principal and I partnered to bring her vision to life, securing funding through our parent organization so every single student received their own copy of the book, building the summer packets, signing up for the Cartwheel challenge, and hosting a high-energy kickoff rally to get our kids thrilled about living screen-free lives."
Sylvia Hennessey, School Library Media Specialist, Jersey City Public Schools

Huntington County Community School Corporation (IN) implemented a pass-it-forward approach

Meg Friesen, the district’s Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness, shared that students were chosen from the sixth grade class in the spring and read the book over the summer. Ten students took part, and the district looked to recognize participating students at a school board meeting focused on mental health and suicide prevention.

And the challenge doesn't end with this first group of students.. Meg described how the book keeps moving after the board meeting:

"After the September meeting students will each choose a student from the grade below to pass the book to. After the new 6th graders finish the book, they will choose a student from 5th grade to pass the book on to before the summer starts and the fun will continue."
‍Meg Friesen, Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness, Huntington County Community School Corporation

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Shenango Area School District (PA) created a celebration for participating students

At Shenango Area School District, elementary teacher Dwight Heminger brought the challenge to students at the end of the last school year. On October 1, he hosted a celebration including pizza, games and time outdoors at a nearby community park for about 18 students who completed the challenge.  

Superintendent Dr. McCormick., shared why the challenge was important for their students:

"We believe that growing up means more than what happens in a classroom. It means having real experiences, building relationships, being active, developing independence, and learning to navigate a world filled with technology. These students demonstrated that they understand the value of putting the phone down, looking up, and engaging with the people and world around them."
‍Dr. Joseph McCormick, Ed.D., Superintendent, Shenango Area School District

Run the My Amazing Summer Challenge any time of year

These districts highlighted that the challenge can begin in the summer, and it works just as well during the school year. Teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, and principals can use it to invite students to step away from screens and reflect on their own habits, whether in back-to-school activities, advisory periods, wellness weeks, or Mental Health Awareness Month.

The free toolkit on the My Amazing Challenge page includes a coordinator guide, the My Amazing Challenge card, a Screen-Free Reset Plan, Rebel Conversations discussion sparks, and a parent and caregiver letter with a handout on screens, available in English and Spanish. To get books to students, schools have used library checkouts, school-purchased sets that students pass forward, and PTA or PTO sponsorship.

Where we go from here

The students' reflections and the stories from participating schools remind us how valuable it can be to give young people opportunities to step away from screens, try something new, and think about their relationship with technology. We hope more schools will bring this challenge to their students throughout the year, using the free toolkit to make it their own.

At Cartwheel, we also know that navigating screens and social media isn't always easy for students and families. Through our partnerships with more than 400 school districts across 16 states, we hear regularly from school teams about how technology can affect students' sleep, friendships, mental health, and experiences at school. That's part of why we developed our Screens & Social Media Care Program, which offers more focused support for students and families who are struggling with these challenges.

For districts interested in learning more about how Cartwheel supports students and families, our recent webinar, What's Showing Up This Year, introduces our Care Programs and how schools can connect students with care.