Local schools selected as finalists for Samsung grant contest
Hobbs Middle School in Shelley and Leadore School are state finalists for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow grant contest.The contest challenges schools to present a proposal for a STEM project, five finalists were chosen in each state, the next phase of competition will select a state winner.
Michael Winston, a science teacher at Hobbs Middle School, is the brains behind their project that caught the eye of the Samsung contest.
The students are researching nematodes- a cyst that can infect potato crops, students will work with the USDA and local farmers to help find a resolution for nematodes.
“The idea is we have serious conflicts between two stakeholders in our community, the growing of potatoes and the infestation and the hope is we can get the two groups to work together,” said Michael Winston, science teacher at Hobbs Middle School.
Their project consists of multiple aspects including students getting certified by the USDA, making a video explaining their project, and outreach on social media.
With limited funding, Hobbs Middle School does not have high quality microscopes in their classrooms. The Shelley Public Library recently acquired a new 3D printer, and after some research the students found a solution.
“Mr. Winston was searching on and he found out how you can turn a camera on a cell phone or a tablet into a microscope and he found the 3D print for it ” said Kortlan Kolsen, a student at Hobbs Middle School
The Leadore School is also working on a project relevant to their area. With the vast amount of wilderness and potential for people to go missing, their teaching kids how to be first-responders.
Their project will get students first aid and AM radio certified. Additionally, students will become drone licensed. They hope to use drones to eventually find missing people.
The school says they plan to apply for more grant money in hopes of getting infrared camera drones to conduct search efforts at night.
According to Samsung’s website for the challenge, a state finalist will be announced sometime between December and February. Once the state finalist is selected, they could be included into a contest with 15 state finalists.
For more information on the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest and to check out the other school finalists, you can visit the link here.
