Hoboken High School 9th Grade Students Triumph in STEAM Tank Competition State Finals
Hoboken High School 9th Grade Students Triumph in STEAM Tank Competition State Finals
Hoboken, NJ, — June 30, 2024 - Hoboken High School is thrilled to announce the victory of its 9th-grade student team in the esteemed New Jersey STEAM Tank Competition State Finals for the High School Division. Vivian Allen, Benjamin Gabriel, Olivia Gallo, Jai Malik, and Simon Sandonato, alongside their faculty advisor, Jose Manuel Fernandez, have demonstrated ingenuity and skill, propelling them to claim this coveted state championship title while competing against teams from across New Jersey comprised of students ranging from 9th through 12th grades.
The STEAM Tank Competition, organized by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) and its iSTEAM initiative, serves as a premier platform for young innovators to showcase pioneering projects in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). It consists of three rigorous rounds, where students pitch their innovative inventions designed to solve real-world problems.
The state championship team got involved in this competition as a result of their studies in the Innovation, Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship course offered at Hoboken High School. A brand new lab, partially funded by the Hoboken Public Education Foundation, equips Hoboken High School Students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology, engineering and design, and entrepreneurship. The introductory course, in which the winning team was enrolled, guides students through a transformative learning journey. Students are immersed in the fundamental principles of innovation, creative design, and marketing through a combination of theoretical learning, practical application, and real-world experiences.
R.I.C.E. Pack, Hoboken High School’s winning revolutionary device was designed to stabilize, heat, cool, and compress injuries to muscles and joints. The team’s invention, round after round, captivated the judges with its simple ingenuity and practical application. "As Coordinator of Hoboken High School’s Innovation Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Lab, I am immensely proud of Vivian, Benjamin, Olivia, Jai, and Simon for their extraordinary triumph in the STEAM Tank Competition State Finals," remarked Jose Manuel Fernandez. "Being named the state’s winning high school team is a testament to their hard work, resilience, and boundless creativity. This is only the beginning. Hoboken High School is already registered for next year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition, The Conrad Challenge, and the T-Mobile Changemaker Challenge.”
The journey to the top was challenging, with four of Hoboken High School teams making it to the regional finals after competing against 500 schools across New Jersey. Among these, Hoboken High School’s R.I.C.E. Pack Team distinguished itself by advancing to the final round alongside 24 teams from other New Jersey high schools. Demonstrating exceptional presentation skills and innovative problem solving, Jenifer Siehl, manager of the Steam Tank Challenge said, “Hoboken High School’s R.I.C.E. Pack Team consistently outperformed other teams in the competition in all the categories, while demonstrating outstanding performance throughout the entire competition.”
The STEAM Tank victory stands as a testament to Hoboken High School's dedication to cultivating future leaders in STEAM-related fields, and to providing unique and innovative learning experiences.
The recipients of this prestigious accolade were honored at the June meeting of the Hoboken Board of Education. Please join us in congratulating these exceptional students on their remarkable achievement!
To learn more about the STEAM Tank Challenge, visit NJSBA iSTEAM website.
About Hoboken High School
Hoboken High School is a distinguished institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. With a rich tradition of excellence in education and a focus on fostering creativity and critical thinking skills, Hoboken High School prepares students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.