Gelinas Student Pens a Winning Science Essay

P.J. Gelinas Junior High School eighth-grade student Joshua George was awarded honorable mention for his submission to the DuPont Challenge science Essay Competition.

Considered by many to be the nation’s premier scientific essay competition, The DuPont Challenge Essay has over 10,000 student applicants annually from all 50 states. All of the students enrolled in the Earth SMART classes at Gelinas submitted essays to this science competition in fulfillment of a course requirement. Josh was one of only 20 students selected out of the thousands of applicants from the Junior Division for the Honorable Mention status and will receive a $200 US savings bond.

For his essay, Humidity Save Lives, Josh described how water vapor in the air could potentially be a source of drinking water for areas of the world that are facing shortages. In his paper, he described a machine that would run off of solar power and collect the water from the atmosphere where it wasn’t present on the ground (essentially a solar powered dehumidifier and filter). His writing displayed a high level of understanding of the problem parts of our planet face with regards to water supply (today and in the future), as well as a unique solution that may be feasible in certain areas.

Photo provided by the Three Village Central School District: P.J. Gelinas Junior High School eighth-grade student Joshua George is congratulated by (l-r) Board of Education President William F. Connors, Jr., Earth SMART teacher Peter Schuchman and Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Pedisich.