Woodbridge, VA – Future-Kings.org, a Northern Virginia-based non-profit organization, won
the Second Annual “Hard Problem” Challenge at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation,
and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) on Nov. 29. This conference is the largest of its kind in the
world. Future Kings’ participation demonstrates a dedication to working with academic partners
across the country to “engineer great futures” by increasing opportunities for underrepresented
minorities in STEM education and professions.

Four Future Kings students – George Tamakloe, Safa Islam, Donovan Reid, and Logan Cunningham – took on the challenge of “Sustaining a Global Force in a Digital World”.

Facilitators gave students just hours to research the topic, organize their thoughts, and prepare a
presentation. The team chose the solution topic of “Mixed Reality tools to accelerate the speed of
advanced learning for students in Middle School and High School.” Competition judges indicated that the team’s presentation skills, creativity, and ability to collaborate set them apart from other teams. These characteristics are pillars of the Future Kings instructional program.

The ASTA Group, LLC, provided support for a delegation of Future Kings students to attend the
I/ITSEC. This woman-owned small business promotes organizational success through analysis;
contemporary, targeted training and education programs; and on-site support.

Participation in the I/ITSEC Conference supports Future Kings’ mission to use education, mentoring, training, practical experiences, and mastery of 21st century technology to create a pipeline of young men from underserved communities who excel in STEM related careers and positively influence their communities. Students report feeling invigorated by this experience and look forward to similar opportunities in the future.