Long Beach High School student to compete in national science symposium

Alyssa Blumenthal, a senior at LBHS, finished in first place at the 48th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (NJSHS) regional competition at Stony Brook University, earning herself a $2,000 cash prize and spot in the national competition in Bethesda, Md. in April.

Of the 270 students who submitted papers, only 90 were asked to present at the regional competition. Blumenthal was one of only five presenters to make it to the next round, and one of only two who were chosen to present their research at the national symposium. She will join 96 other regional winners from around the country, competing for 18 finalist scholarship awards of up to $12,000, and a chance to participate in the London International Youth Science Forum at London University in August.

Blumenthal’s research project, which was titled, “The Manipulation of Piezoelectric Film for Energy Harvesting," dealt with the harnessing of sound energy and converting it to electrical energy. The goal of her research was to show that sound and other vibrational energies can be used as an alternative energy source. She developed her research under the supervision of science research teachers Cody Onufrock and Veronica Macerino.