COMMACK TEAM SELECTED AS REGIONAL WINNER OF TOSHIBA AND NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHING ASSOCIATION’S 29TH ANNUAL EXPLORAVISION COMPETITION
Twenty-Three Winning Teams Recognized for Innovative Solutions to the World’s Challenges
A team of students from Commack High School was selected as one of the regional winners of the 29
th annual ExploraVision program, the largest K-12 science competition designed to build problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. On April 14 it was announced that their project, “Implementing Machine Learning and Nerve Signals in Prosthetic Finger Control” will advance to the national phase of the competition, with the winners announced in June.
Congratulations to Mitchel G., Amantej R., and Ishaan S., who each received a Chrome book and have a chance to win $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bonds (at maturity) and other prizes. They team worked to improve the design of prosthetic fingers to have more control and to respond faster. They created a machine-learning program that can predict which supporting nerves activate during specific arm, hand, and finger movement using a model subject with complete nerves.
ExploraVision participants were invited to consider the future and imagine a technology that might exist 20 years from now. Using real scientific research, students outlined methods to plan and test their ideas. In the next phase of competition, the winning regional teams will be asked to build webpages and short videos to communicate and exhibit their ideas to the public.
“Thousands of students across the country compete yearly in this unique competition,” said Jill Johanson, Director of Science. “Winners must be innovative and forward-thinking, astute at research, and practical. They imagine the future and determine ways to reach that potential. We are so proud our students; they are among the best at these essential 21st century skills. A huge congratulations to them and to the research faculty team who mentored them throughout their hard work!”
In photo above, from left to right: Director of Science Jill Johanson, science research teacher Nicole Fuchs, winning team members Ishaan, Mitchel, and Amantej, Commack High School Principal Leslie Boritz, and science research mentor Jeanette Collette.
In addition, four of our teams won honorable mention:
Delivering Vaccines to Developing Nations- Abigail K. and Eliza M.
Postpartum Depression- Rylie C., Lilah K., and Julia L.
Inserting TP-53 with Nanobots- Sahaj P., Matt C., and Sean L.
Brain Implant- Leo A., Daniel K. and Kevin M.