Acting Education Secretary Applauds Student Scientists

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Acting Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera today congratulated four Pennsylvania students who were selected to showcase their science projects at the fifth annual White House Science Fair last month.

Four Pennsylvania students were among those from across the country on hand to exhibit their projects at the White House on March 23. The four students are:

• Sahil Doshi, 14, Upper Saint Clair High School, Upper Saint Clair School District, Allegheny County
• Nikhil Behari, 14, North Allegheny High School, North Allegheny Intermediate High School District, Allegheny County
• Corine Peifer, 17, Wallenpaupack Area High School, Wallenpaupack Area School District, Pike County
• Kristian Sonsteby, 18, Wallenpaupack Area High School, Wallenpaupack Area School District, Pike County

Each of the students' projects was inspired by a real world issue. Doshi designed a carbon-dioxide powered battery to impact electricity shortages around the world. Behari found that keystroke-based authentication could be used as secondary measure to prevent data breaches at retail stores. Peifer and Sonsteby, as part of a larger team, designed a generator to convert a boat dock's movement in a body of water into power.

"These presenters represent the exemplary work Pennsylvania students are doing in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics," Rivera said. "The process of examining a problem, researching it, devising a solution, and then designing and constructing a project demonstrates the students' commitment and enthusiasm for learning. These four undoubtedly have bright futures."

The Secretary said the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is also encouraging students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines by partnering with the state's Intermediate Units to coordinate a statewide STEM competition. The Governor's PA STEM Competition finals are scheduled for May 29, 2015, at Thaddeus Steven College of Technology in Lancaster. For more information on The Governor's PA STEM Competition visit: www.pastemcompetition.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED