Trust rewards innovation and creativity of boricua students
Naranjito, Las Piedras and Adjuntas public schools are among the winners of the Resuélvelo Boricua student competition.
June 17, 2020; San Juan Puerto Rico – The STEM Education Program in collaboration with the Response Innovation Lab, both programs of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust announced the winners of the Resuélvelo Boricua student competition. The competition consisted of the preparation of prototypes to address four vital areas in response to or recovery from natural or man-made disasters; these included: food security, water, energy, and quality of access to health. Since the announcement of the call in December 2019, some 10 teams have registered for the competition and received proposals in the areas related to food security and energy. The projects were evaluated by an independent committee that considered the essential and innovative aspects of the proposals and videos submitted for consideration.
“It was a real challenge to hold a student competition in the midst of so many atypical situations such as the January 2020 earthquakes and the mandatory closings by COVID19 ; however, both the students and their mentor teachers found the necessary motivation to continue until they submitted their projects,” said Jorge Valentine, STEM Education Program Manager for the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust. Dr. Frances Zenon, leader in charge of planning and coordination of the competition, highlighted the resilience of the Puerto Rican students, saying that “despite the circumstances, our students demonstrated their commitment and quality by working to improve the resources available during emergencies such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and pandemics in Puerto Rico.
“We at the Department of Education are very proud of the achievements of these young Puerto Ricans, who have excelled in this project that pursues STEM knowledge and learning. This award is not only for these students, but for their teachers and the entire school community. My thanks to the Trust and its STEM Education Program for promoting efforts like this one,” said Education Secretary doctor Eligio Hernández Pérez.
The winning schools of the competition are:
1st place – “Boricuapónico” Esc. Rubén Rodríguez Figueroa (Naranjito)
2nd place – “Agricultural Literacy” Esc. Ramón Power y Giralt (Las Piedras)
3rd place – “Temperantia” Esc. Superior Vocacional Bernandino Cordero Bernard (Adjuntas)
Each team will receive cash prizes aimed at the development, commercialization or distribution of their inventions; in addition to support and mentoring in the process by the Response Innovation Lab, an office that is part of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, dedicated to the dissemination of solutions designed for community well-being in emergency situations.
“We are more than proud of the potential our students demonstrate on a daily basis, as well as their ability to dream and, with the necessary help, make it happen. We are committed with the capacity that our young people have to innovate and make Puerto Rico a remarkable center of ideas and possibilities,” said Lucy Crespo, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust.
For more information on the FCTIPR STEM Program, please visit https://prsciencetrust.org/stem/
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About the Science, Technology and Research Trust The Trust for Science, Technology and Research, as described in Public Law 214, is a non-profit organization created in 2004 to encourage participation and job creation on the Island in the global knowledge economy by promoting investment and funding of research and development in science and technology. By investing in research and commercialization of technology, the Trust serves as a catalyst for job creation and retention of the Island’s highly skilled and often bilingual residents. It is also responsible for Puerto Rico’s public policy for science, technology, research and development. For more information: www.prsciencetrust.org