From staff reports
Five Franklin High School gifted students took first place Wednesday in the regional level of the Governor’s PA STEM Competition at the Intermediate Unit facilities in Grove City.
Team members Bailey Ferry, Amy Mook, Jack Ross, Kiaran Ross and Trevor Wood, all juniors and seniors at Franklin, will now move on to the state finals in May at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster.
Their teacher is Tim Heffernan, the gifted education teacher at the high school.
The acronym STEM stands for science, technology, education and mathematics.
The team’s challenge was to create a product device that is capable of making the quality of life better for Pennsylvania residents. Heffernan said their real-world problem addressed school safety in the form of their prototype – Blocker Lockers.
Team members will now be alloted more time and a stipend to create their final device.
There will be a student-produced video submission, a written paper and the live presentation at Thaddeus Stevens.
The STEM competition is an annual, rotating-themed academic contest for students in grades 9-12 that is focused on exposing students to STEM concepts, skills and occupations.
This year’s theme is “Building a Stronger Pennsylvania.”
