JFK Science Students Are Finalists In National Competition

A team of Advanced Science Research students from Bellmore's John F. Kennedy High School have been named national finalists in the REACH Challenge.

The REACH Challenge is a contest sponsored by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. It is an impactful Adaptive & Assistive Technology design-thinking project for middle school, high school and college STEM students. The team developed and 3D-printed a device they called "Helping Hands" to assist a woman suffering from fibromyalgia.

“Their innovative project demonstrates how our students use their STEM skills for social good, making a real-world difference in the lives of those around them,” said Robert Soel, district science department chairman and STEM education.

The 10-member team includes sophomores and juniors Julia Levine, Danielle Kacaj, Callie Burns, Brandon Lin, Chris Luisi, Michelle Brown, Sophia Warren, Georgia Karantenislis, Sarah Suss and Kai Rodge.

Teams and their teachers are also invited to ITEEA's 82nd annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland on March 13, where the top teams will receive grants to support their STEM programs, as well as a STEM Swag Bag.