Congressman Paul Tonko today congratulated the students from Schoharie High School in Schoharie, New York for being named one of five grand prize winners in Samsung’s national Solve for Tomorrow competition in science, technology, engineering and math education. Congressman Tonko met with the students this morning when they visited Capitol Hill.

“The creativity and energy of these students is a source of pride and inspiration for us all,” said Congressman Tonko. “They have shown first-hand how science, technology and math education can give young people the skills and knowledge they need to address real-world problems in communities all over the country. As the workforce and dreamers of the future, they embody the innovative spirit and resilience of our neighbors and friends.”

As part of the Samsung Hope for Children initiative, Solve for Tomorrow promotes math and science education as a path to fostering sustainable innovation. The competition asks students to apply their science, technology, engineering, and math learning to solving a local environmental problem. The students at Schoharie High School researched levels of soil contamination following Hurricane Irene’s devastating floods in August 2011.  They conducted mathematical analysis of the soil, identifying levels of phosphorous, nitrogen and PH after the storm.  After synthesizing all the data, they discovered the resilience of the local ecosystem, which is bouncing back after tremendous environmental damage. 

Schoharie High School will receive $100,000 of technology prizes for their winning entry.

A photograph of the students along with Congressman Tonko can be found at http://bit.ly/schohariehigh.

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