Babylon High School Students Among Winners Of Solar Competition

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A team of four Babylon High School students were among the winners of the semi-annual Student Solar Competition.

For the high school division, first place went to team “Beach Bums Solar Power,” made up of Iqra Yousuf, Allie Van Rossem, Haylie Kelly, and Jenna Petraitis.

The high school students each won $500 scholarships and an internship opportunity.

"Our growing STEAM program has allowed us to introduce our students to innovative topics in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics that they wouldn’t get exposure toin required courses here," Mary Beth Schappert, Science Teacher at Babylon Junior Senior High School. "The internship is going to be a wonderful opportunity for these girls to see ‘real world’ applications of STEAM in our own communities."

The first place winners in the elementary school division were the “Kline Trio”, made up of Eric Chen, Maxwell Karshner, Marilena Korhais, all of Queens.

The middle school winning team out of Old Westbury STEP was named “Genius Glasses”, with Oscar Munguia, Amy Luis, Alexander Weidemann.

The event, started by Long Island based solar energy company EmPower Solar, challenged New York elementary, middle and high school students to participate in a multi-faceted competition that encompassed science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and creative components.

Over 64 teams from schools across Long Island and New York City participated in the event held at the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Queens.

The participating students were tasked with answering the question, “How do our energy choices affect wildlife?” Responses were submitted through posters, business letters, and YouTube videos.

Awards were presented to the winning teams at Family Solar Night, an evening of interactive fun, learning, animal meet-and-greets, and refreshments at the Alley Pond Environmental Center.

"Education for younger generations on environmental issues teaches the importance of caring for our planet and can help spark a lifelong respect for our natural environment," George Povall, Executive Director of All Our Energy said. "Having children stop and think critically about our energy choices and their implications on our communities wildlife is a critical step towards living more conscious lives."

Congratulations to the winners!

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