LEESBURG, Va. -- The U.S. Army recognized the winning student teams of the eCYBERMISSION national science competition June 21.
eCYBERMISSION is an annual web-based science competition for sixth- through ninth-grade students.
The Falcons from Skyview Middle School in Leominster, Mass., won the sixth-grade category. Representing the Northeast region, the team is made up of students John Liddy, Christopher Mabie and Eric Jenny. Peter Jenny filled in for advisor Mary Jenny, who was unable to make the trip.
After a friend suffered a concussion as the result of a sporting accident, the Falcons tested designs for helmets by measuring the force inside the helmet during impact. This allowed them to determine a more effective helmet design.
Their project got the attention of a producer of the Showtime program, "Inside the NFL," who sent a camera team to talk to the students. Their story will air in the fall.
Also representing the Northeast region, the STEM Ninjas from Rocky Run Middle School in Chantilly, Va., won for the seventh-grade. Students Divya Mereddy, Sneha Thandra and Rachana Subbanna comprised the team. The team advisor was Ranjit Mereddy.
The team investigated algal biofuels as a possible alternative energy source to petroleum, building a biodegradeable floating photobioreactor for algal cultivation system to process the algal oil to produce biodiesel.
Representing the Southeast region Charger Breath Saver from Providence Day School in Charlotte, N.C., is the eighth-grade winning team. Led by advisor Barbara Morrow, the team was made up of students Abbie Cochell, Katherine Holway and Hayley Ritchie.
The team developed a prototype device to alert parents or caregivers that their dependent has come in contact with a body of water capable of causing injury or death.
The ninth-grade winning team represented the Northeast region. Team TXT U L8R is from Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Va. Led by team advisor Latha Ramraj, the team is made up of students Raghaz Ramraj, Matthew Sun and Jasper Treakle.
The team used a Microsoft Kinect to design a device to detect when a driver is distracted and refocuses them on the road. They also developed a community education program about distracted driving.
--
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
Related Links:
Army.mil: Science and Technology News
U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command
Social Sharing