Innovation and creativity are alive and well at Ladue Middle School, where sixth graders Lucas He and Dhruv Rohatgi are gaining recognition for their project, LiverCare AI. Their work has earned awards at the regional and state levels, showcasing how students use technology to solve real-world problems.

Their innovative idea first earned an Honorable Mention in the Toshiba/National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) ExploraVision competition (Region 5), which challenges K–12 students in the U.S. and Canada to imagine a technology that could exist 20 years in the future. Working in teams of two to four, students identify a real-world problem, research current technology, and propose an innovative solution. Projects are judged in grade-level categories through both regional and national phases of the competition.

Building on that recognition, Dhruv and Lucas captured the Grand Prize in the Missouri AfterSchool Network (MASN) Young Entrepreneur Pitch Challenge. This statewide contest invites students to pitch business, product, technology, or social venture ideas designed to improve their communities or the world. Pitches are judged on creativity, clarity, persuasiveness, and overall quality.

As Grand Prize winners, Dhruv and Lucas received a $500 gift card and the opportunity to consult with a successful entrepreneur. Their achievements highlight both their entrepreneurial spirit and their ability to use technology in ways that could create a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

The district is incredibly proud of Dhruv and Lucas for their accomplishments and for showing how innovation and compassion can go hand-in-hand—a true reflection of The Ladue Way.