See? Science is supposed to put you to sleep!
Quart-sized wannabe scientists at Bay Academy in Sheepshead Bay took home a $5,000 prize for their plan to create an app that eases people to sleep by enabling cellphones to emit snooze-inducing waves. Now, Six students at the Emmons Avenue middle school have a shot to win even more money — and travel to Florida to meet with a team of professional eggheads and see if their idea can come to life!
“It’s an unbelievable thing,” aid Assistant Principal Mark Goldberg. “The kids could go to Orlando and study with Massachusetts Institute of Technology students, and Verizon will embellish it and make it work.”
The students took part in the school’s Science Olympiad program, researching insomnia and learning that so-called delta waves help induce sleep, so they dreamed up the concept for an app called “Dreamz” that will produce the waves and help people fall asleep naturally. The team already won best in the state and best in the Northeast region, but now they’re up against other innovative middle schoolers across the country to win fan favorite by a popular vote.
The winning team will get $15,000 to apply to its school’s science, technology, engineering, and math programs. But becoming number-one nationwide will also enhance the school’s recognition and make its science programs even stronger, said the team’s leader and Science Olympiad coordinator.
“We’re making a name for the school in science competitions, and for New York City,” said Michael Cubbin. “When New York City Specialized High Schools look for gifted incoming freshmen, they will be looking to Bay Academy.”
And the students are eager to bring the app to real life to not only help those with sleeping troubles — including their own family members — but also open up more education opportunities for themselves in the future, said one eighth-grade team member.
This is a great opportunity for us to learn new things that might help us in the future with career choices and education,” said David Mekhtiev.
Text NGINEER to 22333 on your cellphone to vote for the Bay Academy. Standard texting rates apply. Voting is open until February 14. Winners will be announced Feb. 15.
