For the second consecutive year, Stony Brook University hosted the final championship of the Spellman High Voltage Electronics Clean Tech Competition on July 12 at the Charles B. Wang Center. The competition was managed by The Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL).
Out of the record-breaking 547 teams from 39 nations that submitted a project, only 10 teams were chosen for the finals. The finalists travelled to Stony Brook from around the globe including Singapore, Ireland, Peru, Australia, and California as well as local teams from New York.
The competition gave students an opportunity to create, research and pitch a project design in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The students were required to follow this year’s theme of “Solving Climate Change.”
Taking first place from Old Bethpage High School on Long Island was Team Hydrogen Fuel Cells with rising seniors Danielle Kelly and Mary Lou O’Donnell, and Audrey Shine of Friends Academy, who created a project that improves the performance of hydrogen fuels. They were awarded a $10,000 cash prize and a trip to this year’s World Climate Summit in Rome, Italy. This is the first time high school students are being invited to the Summit.
“This competition is an incredible experience. Not only is this work our passion, but we get to meet others from all around the world,” said Audrey Shine.
“I’m excited for our trip because I’ve never been to Italy. This is exactly what I want to do with my future work,” added Danielle Kelly.
The second place prize of $7,000 was awarded to Benjamin Liao of Team Sustainable Future from California, and the third place $5,000 award went to Eilíse Ireland from Ireland. The other finalists were rewarded $1,000.
“This competition gives more opportunity for high school students to feature their innovations,” said Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, Director of the CSTL. “We are happy to bring this year’s winners the incredible chance of being in the World Climate Summit this October.”
The program was hosted by the Stony Brook University Office of Government and Community Relations, and featured morning speaker Robert Kukta, Senior Associate Dean for Education and Innovation in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
— Cohen Miles-Rath, Community Relations Office
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