Northview Students Win Second Place in Technology Competition

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Students from Northview High School in Johns Creek have been named second place national winners as part of the 23rd annual Toshiba and NSTA (National Science Teachers Association) ExploraVision program, the world’s largest K-12 science competition.

In addition to a $5,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond (at maturity), the students will also receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June where they will be formally recognized for their accomplishments.

Team members are 10th grade students Avni Kakkar, Jasmine Gao and Sally Pan. They are coached by Sara Lepkofker.

The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program challenges participants to imagine what technology might be like in 20 years. Students work in teams to propose ideas for innovative future technology based on a challenge of what already exists, simulate real scientific research to outline how they plan to test their idea and build websites to further illustrate and communicate their concepts.

The students created an External Microbial Cleansing Device. The EMCD functions with the aid of magnetic nanobeads attached to artificially engineered human opsonin-mannose-binding lectins (MBLs) that have the capability to capture a wide variety of pathogens in the blood stream. With the availability to deliver enriching nutrients, monitor blood, and develop medical reports, the technology will drastically improve the outcome of those with pathogenic diseases.

This year, 5,041 team projects were entered in the competition representing 15,473 students from across the United States and Canada.

Since its inception in 1992, close to 350,000 students from across the United States and Canada have participated in the ExploraVision program. These local students were one of eight teams to be selected from a group of twenty-four regional winning teams.

Photo: Team members Avni Kakkar, Jasmine Gao, Sally Pan, along with Leslie King from Toshiba, Coach Sara Lepkofker and Principal Brian Downey. Credit: National Science Teachers Association