Three Hauppauge Middle School science research students recently made history at the 2024 PWGC Science Fair by winning first, second and third place for their outstanding projects. Mihir Sathish Kumar received first place for his project focused on finding an eco-friendly solution for microplastic filtration. His project, titled “BioPlast Clean,” earned him a $1,000 cash prize. In second place was Ishaan Maheshkumar, who explored energy conservation using the Seebeck Effect and took home a $500 prize. Vaibhavi Hedge secured third place with her project on determining the best materials for creating biodegradable plastic, earning her a $250 prize.
The Hauppauge School District commended these students for their remarkable achievements at the science fair. The district expressed pride in their dedication to research and innovation. The students were accompanied by their seventh grade science research teacher, Janice Caffrey, and Hauppauge’s Director of Science and Research, Robert Wankmuller, during the event. Overall, it was a successful showcase of the students’ hard work and commitment to scientific exploration.
At the science fair, Mihir Sathish Kumar presented his project titled “BioPlast Clean,” which focused on finding an eco-friendly solution for microplastic filtration. His project involved developing a new type of material that could effectively trap microplastics without harming marine life. Mihir’s innovative approach to this problem earned him first place in the competition and a $1,000 cash prize.
In second place was Ishaan Maheshkumar, whose project explored energy conservation using the Seebeck Effect. Ishaan’s team developed a device that could convert waste heat into usable electricity using this phenomenon. Their invention has the potential to revolutionize energy production in various industries and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Ishaan received a $500 cash prize for his exceptional work on this topic.
Vaibhavi Hedge secured third place with her project on determining the best materials for creating biodegradable plastic. Vaibhavi’s team conducted extensive research on different types of plastics and their environmental impact to identify materials that could break down quickly in landfills without releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.
The three students were recognized as role models by their peers at school and by members of their community for their dedication to scientific exploration and innovation.
Overall, it was an inspiring day at the PWGC Science Fair as these three young scientists showcased their creativity and passion for scientific discovery to win top honors in their respective categories.
As they stood before an audience of fellow scientists and educators, Mihir Sathish Kumar thanked his teacher Janice Caffrey and Director of Science Robert Wankmuller for supporting him throughout his journey towards becoming a successful scientist.
“Without them pushing me to pursue my passions,” said Mihir “I would not have been able to achieve what I have today.”
The successes achieved by these three young scientists are just one example of how investing in science education can lead to meaningful change in our world.