Exceptional middle school scientists and engineers rewarded with $100K in prizes for STEM research and innovations that take on global issues

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Society for Science and Thermo Fisher Scientific today announced the winners of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC), the nation’s premier middle school science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competition. Tina Jin, 14, from San Jose, Calif., won the $25,000 Thermo Fisher Scientific ASCEND (Aspiring Scientists Cultivating Exciting New Discoveries) Award, the top prize in the competition.

Tina won the ASCEND Award for her research that proved the ability of animal bones to filter water, in addition to demonstrating leadership, collaboration and critical thinking skills throughout the competition. After learning that one in three people globally lack access to clean water, Tina was inspired to create an accessible and scalable water filtration system that could be used anywhere in the world. She used natural materials and common household supplies to create her filter. Third-party testing by the San Jose Water Company showed that her filter achieved potable standards.

The Thermo Fisher JIC, a program of Society for Science, reaches 65,000 middle schoolers nationwide and inspires them to follow their personal STEM passions to exciting college and career paths. The 30 finalists are counted among the nation’s brightest students, with several, including Tina, collectively accepting more than $100,000 at tonight’s award ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Thermo Fisher’s sponsorship of the Junior Innovators Challenge continues the company’s longstanding commitment to widespread and equitable access to STEM education. Together with Society for Science, Thermo Fisher is helping to increase the number of students who enter the competition and nurture a future STEM talent pool that is more diverse than ever.

Each of the 30 finalists participated in team challenges in addition to being judged on their research projects. The challenges leveraged project-based learning and tested their critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration skills across a variety of STEM fields. They included creating home automation systems using Raspberry Pi Pico, diagnosing sickle cell disease and using biocubes to analyze ecosystems.

“Congratulations to Tina for using her STEM skills to develop a solution to a worldwide problem: access to clean drinking water. She used animal bone waste and other household supplies to filter water,” said Maya Ajmera, President & CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News. “Tina’s scientific ingenuity coupled with her exceptional leadership, collaboration and critical thinking skills illustrate what we are looking for in the Thermo Fisher JIC. I look forward to seeing how Tina continues to innovate in the years to come.”

The other top winners included:

Gary Allen Montelongo, 14, La Joya, Texas, won the $10,000 Broadcom Coding with Commitment ® Award for combining expert STEM knowledge and passion for helping or improving one’s community through coding. In his project, Gary used his coding and engineering skills to build models of train suspension systems to learn how the vibrations produced by springs and the weight distribution of the train cars contribute to train derailment.

Sophie Tong, 14, Palo Alto, Calif., won the $10,000 DoD STEM Talent Award for demonstrating excellence in science, technology, engineering or math, along with the leadership and technical skills necessary to excel in the 21st Century STEM workforce and build a better community for tomorrow. For her project, Sophie sought to improve the safety of vehicles, such as airplanes and self-driving cars, by understanding how vision is degraded in dark, foggy conditions. She then developed algorithms to accurately analyze scenes during bad weather. 

Samvith Mahadevan, 14, Austin, Texas, won the $10,000 Lemelson Foundation Award for Invention, awarded by The Lemelson Foundation to a young inventor creating promising product-based solutions to real-world problems. Motivated by his own allergies, Samvith developed a chemical “nose” trained with machine learning to detect allergens in food products; and tested it on common allergens including nuts, eggs and processed foods. 

Tyler Malkin, 14, Greenwich, Conn., won the $10,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement, which recognizes the student whose work and performance shows the most promise in health-related fields and demonstrates an understanding of the many social factors that affect health. Tyler, who has experienced iodine deficiency—a disorder that impacts nearly 2 billion people worldwide—developed a saliva test that makes it easier for people to monitor their iodine levels without medical intervention.

“Congratulations to our 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge award winners!” said Dr. Karen Nelson, Chief Scientific Officer, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “These exceptionally bright students have demonstrated incredible talent and ingenuity, and they are the foundation for the next generation of leaders in STEM. Thermo Fisher is honored to provide a platform from which these rising leaders can advance their research, connect with peers and expose more young students to the wonder and power of STEM.”

Thermo Fisher JIC winners were chosen from the 30 finalists, who were selected from nearly 2,000 applicants from 48 states, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Winners were selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, engineers and educators. All the finalists’ schools also receive a $1,000 grant to support STEM programming.

In addition to the top prizes, Thermo Fisher and the Society announced first- and second-place winners in each STEM category (science, technology, engineering and math), as well as the competition’s Team Award.

First- and second-place winners of STEM Awards demonstrated acumen and promise in science, technology, engineering or math. First-place winners were awarded $3,500 and second-place winners received $2,500 to support their choice of a STEM summer camp experience in the US. All STEM Award winners received an iPad.

Science Award:
First place: Mikah Elizabeth Kaalund, Greenwich, Conn., The Synergistic Improvement of Indoor Air HEPA Filtration Using Concurrent Dehumidification
Second place: Mackensey “Macky” McNeal Wilson, Riverside, Conn., Shedding Light on the Prevalence of Harmful Butylated Hydroxytoluene Preservative in Artificially Formulated Dog Foods

Technology Award:
First place:  Yash Mehta, Durham, N.C. Using Motors To Simulate Braille
Second place: Sophia Yuxin Zhang, Salt Lake City, Utah, Green Solution for Blue Gold: Examining Three Types of Biodegradable Hydrogels on Water Conservation in Irrigation

Engineering Award:
First place: Oliver Nicolas Cottrell, La Jolla, Calif., Automatic Hockey Puck-Passer Machine
Second place: Sophia Hou, Livingston, N.J., The Effect of Methylcobalamin on Vigna radiata Germination Under Heat Stress

Mathematics Award:
First place: Leif Speer, Terre Haute, Ind., Does a Dendroclimatic Reconstruction of the Southern Hemisphere Show a “Hockey Stick Curve”?
Second place: Ezekiel “Zeke” Wheeler, Portland, Ore., An Affordable, Portable Orbital Desktop Satellite Tracker 

Team Award, sponsored by Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES): Each member of the Finals Week challenge team that best demonstrates an ability to work together and solve problems through shared decision making, communication and scientific and engineering collaboration received a $200 science supply company gift card to support their interests in STEM. The winning team members are Oliver Nicolas Cottrell, Olivia Huang, Tyler Malkin, Jocelyn Mathew and Samhita Paranthaman.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Leadership Award: Bestowed upon one finalist, this award recognizes the student elected by their peers to speak on behalf of their Thermo Fisher JIC class at the Awards Ceremony. The Class Speaker demonstrates the collegiality and spirited leadership that has earned the collective esteem of the class and united them around common goals.

Zealand Murphy Dobrowski, Dehydration Observation: Can Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Be Used To Estimate Fuel Moisture Content?

Media Kit:  https://www.societyforscience.org/thermo-fisher-jic-2024-media-kit/

About Society for Science
Society for Science is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, Society for Science is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its outreach and equity programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us of Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (Society4Science).

About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue over $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.

Media Contact: Gayle Kansagor, gkansagor@societyforScience.org 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/14-year-old-develops-water-filtration-system-using-animal-bone-waste-to-facilitate-access-to-clean-water-globally-wins-25-000-top-award-at-thermo-fisher-scientific-junior-innovators-challenge-302290905.html

SOURCE Society for Science

SINGAPORE, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Coda, a pioneer in out-of-app content monetization solutions, has partnered with Electronic Arts (EA), a global leader in interactive entertainment, to launch the EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile Webstore (“the Webstore”) in 60 markets.

EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile Webstore is built on Coda and EA’s shared commitment to delivering the best value and richest experiences to gamers worldwide. Leveraging Coda’s expertise in creating successful digital marketplaces and EA’s deep understanding of its dedicated EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile fanbase, the Webstore offers a localized, user-friendly platform where players can access free daily rewards, high-value product offerings, and enjoy special bonuses or discounts.

Since its launch, EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile has enjoyed widespread success, quickly becoming a fan favorite in the mobile gaming community. The game’s seamless blend of engaging gameplay, real-world team and player integration, and regular content updates has earned it a strong and growing player base. The launch of the Webstore adds to this momentum by providing fans with an even more convenient way to enhance their gaming experience.

“Working hand-in-hand with the EA team, we’ve built a space that is more than just a marketplace. The EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile Webstore is built on the solid foundation of Codashop’s decade of success. This isn’t just a new launch; it’s a necessary evolution in how gamers want to buy and interact with in-game content,” said Mike Feldkamp, Chief Technology Officer at Coda.

Following successful launches in Malaysia, Australia, Canada, and Colombia on 15th October 2024, the EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile Webstore is now available globally in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan region, Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Uruguay.

Visit the Webstore at: store.fcm.ea.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coda-partners-with-ea-sports-fc-to-launch-fc-mobile-webstore-302290865.html

SOURCE Coda

TOKYO, Oct. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Imagineer Co., Ltd. has announced “Disney Music Parade -Encore-” for the Nintendo Switch, set to release on December 12th, 2024, in Asia regions excluding Japan. Disney Music Parade -Encore- is a rhythm action game in which players tap to the beat of Disney songs as they ride through famous scenes from Disney animated films that have been recreated on a glittering stage.

Opening Special Movie: https://youtu.be/YYAfDIPjtZQ

The game features an impressive lineup of 60 beloved Disney songs including iconic tracks such as “A Whole New World” from Disney’s Aladdin, “Under the Sea” from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen, and “How Far I’ll Go” from Disney’s Moana. Each song has its own unique stage that players will traverse on a magical train ride, creating an immersive musical experience.

The game also features Collections consisting of different “Music Rides” – 150 dazzling and colorful rides depicting well-known Disney characters in a brilliant, vibrant art style – as well as “Memory Crystals” that feature famous scenes from beloved Disney animated films. Players will have tons of fun collecting their favorite characters and scenes from Disney classics.

Up to 4 players can enjoy playing together on local multiplayer, making it perfect for family game nights or parties.

The game offers a range of difficulty levels to cater to all players. Alongside the four traditional difficulties – Easy, Normal, Hard, and Expert – there’s a user-friendly “Shake It” mode. This control method doesn’t require any button input; players can simply shake the Joy-Con™ to perform successful commands. This accessibility feature ensures that everyone, from rhythm game experts to newcomers and young children, can join in the fun.

Product Summary
Title: Disney Music Parade -Encore-
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Rhythm-Action
Price: TBA
Release Date: December 12th, 2024
Players: 1–4 People
Age Rating: Pending review
Publisher: Imagineer
Official Website: https://mp-enc.com/en/
Language: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and English.
© Disney

Published by Imagineer
*All company and product/service names listed here are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Imagineer Co., Ltd.
Imagineer Co., Ltd., established in 1986 in Japan, specializes in content creation and digital services. We turn imagination into reality, delivering high-quality experiences that consistently satisfy and exceed customer expectations.

MEDIAKIT
https://link.directcloud.jp/GdCzAaCiRH 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/disney-music-parade–encore–coming-soon-to-the-nintendo-switch-302289537.html

SOURCE Imagineer Co., Ltd.