Mahomet-Seymour JHS named State Winner of STEM competition

Simmy Wood
·2 min read

MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — Mahomet-Seymour Junior High School received $12,000-worth of technology after it was named the Illinois State Winner in the 14th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition.

The nationwide competition involves sixth to 12th grade students working on STEM projects that create innovative solutions for local issues.

“I asked the students I have for science classes, I asked each of them what they thought a problem in the community was and how we could solve it using STEM,” teacher Jennifer Smith said.

Now, her students at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High are developing an athletic shirt that can also protect the rib cage and the heart against harmful injuries while playing sports. They are specifically focusing on preventing minor trunk injuries and commotio cordis.

“Also temperature and humidity sensors, so that they can keep track of whether or not an athlete is being overheated or getting dehydrated,” Smith said.

Olympians reflect on UI Ice Arena during competition

As the school now moves onto the next phase of the competition, they — along with the 50 other State Winners — will receive a video production kit to film a three-minute video showcasing their project. Samsung employees will help guide the students as they build their prototypes.

“I helped with creating the prototype for the sensors and also creating the mock-up of the app and what it will look like,” student Joaquin Maningas said.

Ashley Martin is another student participating in the project.

“It’s like really crazy, because I didn’t know that we would even make it to ‘state finalist,” she said.

Based on the State Winners’ videos, 10 National Finalists will be given a $50,000 prize package and invited to travel to New York in April, to pitch their solutions to a panel of judges.

The three-minute video may also result in earning the Sustainability Innovation Award and a $50,000 prize package, or the Rising Entrepreneurship Award and a $25,000 prize package. For $10,000 in prizes, respectively, Samsung employees will vote on an Employee Choice Winner, and the general public will vote online for a Community Choice Winner.

Three National Winners will be announced in April. If Mahomet-Seymour Junior High School succeeds, the school will receive a $100,000-worth of Samsung tech and classroom supplies.

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