CHESAPEAKE, VA — While most elementary students are focused on their daily assignments, our very own Mayukha(2nd Grade) has been busy engineering the future of pediatric healthcare.
We are proud to announce that Mayukha, alongside teammate Avik D. and Coach Mounica Gaddam, has been named the Region 2 Winner of the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition. As one of only a handful of regional winners selected from thousands of entries across the United States and Canada, this achievement places her among the top young scientific minds in North America.
The Vision: Prevention Over Treatment:
The team’s winning project, titled “Buddy Band – Protecting Kids, One Alert at a Time,” addresses a challenge every parent and teacher knows well: the rapid spread of viral infections like the flu in schools.
Rather than waiting for a child to get sick and relying on traditional testing methods, the Buddy Band is a smart wearable device designed to detect viruses before they enter the body. The device utilizes:
Hydrogel Sensors to capture airborne particles
Integrated Microchips to analyze data in real-time
Instant Alerts to notify parents and schools when a high-risk virus is detected in the immediate environment
What is ExploraVision?
The Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition is the world’s largest K–12 STEM competition. It challenges students to imagine what current technology might look like in 20 years. Regional winners must demonstrate rigorous research, advanced critical thinking, and strong collaboration skills.
A Community Achievement
This accomplishment is a testament to the power of curiosity and the importance of STEM education in our schools. We congratulate Mayukha, her teammates, and the families who supported this month-long research journey.
“Mayukha is a shining example of what happens when curiosity meets determination. She comes to school eager to learn, think critically, and push herself to grow. We are incredibly proud of her and all she has accomplished.” —Mrs. Walters, 2nd Grade Teacher
“We are extremely proud of our little hornet.” — DCCE Family
Mayukha and her team will now move forward to represent Region 2 in the next phase of the national competition. Please join us in wishing them the best of luck!