NSHSS Passion Project Exhibition: Scholar's Day Atlanta 2019

Benjamin Barron from American Heritage School in Palm Beach Gardens, FL was awarded the first prize in the STEAM & Innovation category for his prototype of a wristwatch intended to be worn by opiod users with the capacity to rapidly auto-deliver a dose of live-saving naloxone in the event of an overdose. In his project proposal, he stresses the importance of his research: "By participating in the exhibition I hope to increase awareness. I was disheartened to discover that due to the stigma of drug abuse, even scientists who choose to do research in the field of drug abuse are often looked upon with disfavor."

Jathin Desan from Independence High School in Frisco, TX took home the second place prize in the STEAM & Innovation category for his proposal of a new method that would detect traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) much earlier than current CT scan technologies. His proposal was goal-oriented and empathetic, stating, "The reason for my project is that in my community, roofing companies lose employees who fall and could die from their injuries due to a lack of proper facilities for CT scans or MRI for clearing brain bleeding. My specific goal is to create a model and make an impact to help construction companies have regular checks on their employees using these trained models."

Genevieve Jean-Pierre from Martin Luther King Junior Magnet Pearl High School in Madison, TN was given the 3rd place prize in the STEAM & Innovation category for her discovery of a fungi that she hypothesizes can revolutionize the biomass energy production industry - an industry that could hold the key to clean energy. From her proposal: "From this exhibition, I hope to gain even more inspiration and fire for change in our society and natural environment. These sentiments create impact in its most powerful form."

Ryanna Copeland of Blackstone Academy in Riverdale, GA took the first prize in the World Betterment category for her company Elevated Places Dance Xpressions that seeks to provide "a way to help youth to express their emotions and feelings through dance." In her proposal, she touches on the impetus to start her project: "Knowing that you can’t find the words to express your emotions and feelings within, causes people to act other than themselves or even cause harm to themselves. I could no longer sit and watch the youth of my generation suffer with so much pain within."

Virginia Hill from North Hall High School in Clermont, GA noticed that her local food bank was providing food to families in need, but no guidance on food preparation. She won the second place prize in the World Betterment category for her organization, One Meal, which is "a simple and effective way for families to receive a bag of ingredients with a recipe card so they can have a fun, planned meal."

Hawa Diawara of Morgantown High School in Morgantown, WV received the third place prize in the World Betterment category for her development of The Voices of Women Matter (TVWM), "a non-profit organization advocating for women in developing countries or third-world countries in areas of domestic violence, exposed to female genital circumcision and forced child marriage." As a native of Guinea, she became aware of her privilege having had an education in the U.S. She states, "I hope to inform people about the underlying issues many women face around the world and what we can do to help end the cycle."