A team of four third grade students
from Redeemer Lutheran School were announced regional winners in the world’s
largest student science competition – The National Toshiba ExploraVision Awards
Program. Cullen Boyer, Steven Leone, Sarah Ormay, and Elizabeth Schinkel
won Region 2 which included thousands of entries from Maryland, Delaware, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as Washington D.C,
Armed Forces America, Armed Forces Europe and Armed Forces Pacific. A
total of over 4,388 entries were made across the nation. Led by
Redeemer Lutheran School science teacher, Mrs. Debra Terhune,
the third graders simulated a research and development team. Together,
the students invented The HoloSmart Paper, which combines SmartBoard,
holographic and e-paper technologies to create a paperless classroom and
prevent scoliosis by eliminating the need for heavy backpacks. In
addition, the upper elementary level team which included Nathan Dietz, Jeana
Luciana and Emily Nonnenberg won honorable mention for their Laser Germ
Eleminator idea. These students were among the top 10% of the nations
entries. Redeemer Lutheran School principal Gail Holzer is honoring all
of the children with an awards ceremony and reception at The Oakmont Country
Club in April.
The third grade regional winners
will now enter the national competition. Winners will receive a US
Savings bond and all-expense paid trip to Washington DC. The weekend in
Washington will include a visit to Capitol Hill to meet with members of
Congress, and a Science Showcase during which students will display and
demonstrate their winning ideas and sightseeing around the nation’s
capital. The highlight of the ExploraVision weekend will be a gala awards
banquet and ceremony at the Grant Hyatt where students will be formally
recognized for their creativity and accomplishments.
