Blessed Trinity student wins state science award

By Teresa Martinez - Florida Catholic

MIAMI SPRINGS | Daniela Rodriguez from Blessed Trinity School has won Best in Fair at this year's 58th annual State Science and Engineering Fair, the state's largest academic competition. For three days, she competed against more than 900 other finalists from 37 Regional Science Engineering Fairs around the state.

Her project, entitled "Can your brainwaves move robotic equipment?" was recognized by several organizations. Daniela won a first place award in Engineering. She was also inducted as a Ying Scholar. Inductees are recognized because their research projects have the ultimate goal of benefiting humanity. She was recognized by The National Society of Engineers and The Florida Foundation for Future Scientists. Finally, Daniela also was chosen to compete at Broadcom Masters, the national science, technology, engineering, and math competition for students in middle school.

Her research project could one day empower disabled people to control wheelchairs or prosthetic limbs using their brainwaves/thoughts. This would be an innovation that will someday make life for disabled people more convenient, and allow them to be more independent.

"This is an incredible honor for me. I am so blessed to have been able to represent Blessed Trinity and the Archdiocese of Miami," said Daniela. "I have to thank Mrs. Maria T. Perez, my principal, Ms. Josefina Gonzalez, my science teacher and Mrs. Maylin Rodriguez-Lapido, my sponsor. I also have to thank my family and friends for their love, their guidance and their support. My work doesn't stop here. My dream is to continue my research and someday in high school be the first to represent the Archdiocese of Miami at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world's largest international science competition. I would be competing against more than 1,500 high school students from about 70 countries."