A Look at STEM-in-Action Grant Teams.....In Action!

eCYBERMISSION's STEM-in-Action Grant program provides an opportunity for up to five student teams each year to receive a grant up to $5,000. Teams that receive this U.S. Army funded grant have an additional year to further implement their Mission Folder projects submitted for the competition.

Let's take a look at the 2015-16 eCYBERMISSION STEM-in-Action Grant recipients!

For more information, visit us at www.ecybermission.com/STEMinActionGrant

Team: Baby cAir

Location: Shanghai, China

Baby cAir realized one of the most pressing issues facing the Chinese community was air pollution. The team has proven links to short and long term respiratory illness, which is increased when looking at the effects on infants. Currently, they are working on a newer version that will fully implement a working feedback loop with high quality sensors, along with a newer, more aesthetically appealing design that will allow the baby to see outside more.  

Team: Power Play

Location: Belfast, ME

Team Power Play’s community has been making efforts to become more eco-friendly over the past few years because of the negative impact of burning fossil fuels. With their STEM-In- Action Grant, they are building a local park or playground in the near future. Power Play will be collaborating with a team of senior engineering students from the University of Maine to build a more efficient model and successfully build a merry-go-round that generates power as it's being used.

Team: Envo

Location: Farmington, AR

Team Envo’s community has grown fast and now has more problems with flooding following any heavy rain. Envo plans to work with local officials and their county extension agent to select plants such as shrubs and grasses that will be planted along the banks of a local stream in their community. Team Envo’s goal is to establish plants with root systems that would anchor the soil along the stream, reducing the amount of soil runoff.

Team: Rocky Run

Location: Chantilly, VA

A tragedy occurred, affecting someone Rocky Run team members knew personally, in which their house had burned down due to a stove fire. To address this issue, Rocky Run created a device using a Raspberry Pi microcomputer to detect dangerous stove top temperature levels that will alert the homeowner. Rocky Run's short term goals begin with soldering all of the device’s components together and packaging it neatly and aesthetically.

Team: Styro-Filter

Location: Gahanna, OH

Styro-Filter's project addressed the growing problem of Styrofoam trash, which consumes 25% of US landfills and takes thousands of years to degrade. Unfortunately, almost all of their attempts to convert Styrofoam into carbon failed. Many of their samples completely vaporized, which was very discouraging and they almost gave up. But finally, they experimented with a lower temperature and achieved success! With the STEM-in-Action Grant, Styro-Filter plans to continue improving their process and to apply for a full patent.   

Stay tuned as we follow these five STEM-in-Action Grant teams as they make progress on their projects!