WYOMING COUNTY, W.Va. –West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt says everyone in her office gathered Tuesday to watch Huff Consolidated Elementary and Middle School students rank among the top three in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition.
The middle school team pitched its water filtration system project to judges and won $110,000 in technology and classroom resources.
Blatt said the competition was stiff, but the win was well deserved.
“They were competing against nine high school teams on their innovation and so they were very well-spoken, very able to present their project, they had worked hard, they could show the community impact that it had and just really impressed everyone they got in front of,” she told MetroNews.
The system uses materials already available in the community—including charcoal, limestone, sand, and UV light—to help address the water crisis in southern West Virginia. Officials say abandoned mines have contaminated local creeks, aquifers, and other water sources with acid mine drainage.
The students, led by science and social studies teacher Brittany Miller-Baker, were able to build their prototype for just $300.
“They were engaged, they created this water filtration system and then they were able to explain the process, the need for it, everything to compel the judges to win the big award,” Blatt said.
Blatt said the win shows what can be accomplished through effort and passion.
“If you have a good teacher that’s willing to engage their students and really get hands-on learning and really show them what they’re doing in school can impact the real world that they’re currently living in then you can make so many changes and kids are so engaged,” she said.
The team also received the Community Choice award.