Students today recognize the complex and urgent challenges impacting their communities and planet. Whether it’s climate change or social and environmental justice, they are passionate and committed to addressing the vital issues they observe and experience around them. The HE³AT program at Newlab was designed to equip local Brooklyn high school students with the skills and mindset necessary to tackle these challenges. The curriculum, now in its third year, has the potential to create far-reaching impact by expanding access to design and entrepreneurship education that will fuel innovation among the next generation of leaders.
The 2021-2022 HE³AT program focused on critical challenges within energy, sustainability, and climate change. Students worked alongside Newlab and our community of entrepreneurs, engineers, and inventors to ideate and prototype solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
From drones that detect forest fires to biofuel made from coffee grounds, students got creative in designing solutions for their chosen focus areas. During their time on-site, students honed their skills in design thinking, applied entrepreneurship, and knowledge of relevant technologies to guide the development of their year-long projects. Throughout their time in the program, students heard from experts and innovators in energy, sustainability, and climate change, including teams from Newlab member companies Voltaic Systems, Re-Nuble, Make it Black, Hydronomy, and Farm to Flame Energy.
The 2021-2022 HE³AT program culminated at Newlab on June 3, 2022, with its first in-person student showcase. Over 100 HE³AT students, teachers, school administrators, Newlab member mentors, and student family members came together to celebrate the students’ achievements. Each of the thirteen student teams presented their projects to panels of industry experts, who provided feedback as well as awards of recognition for outstanding projects. The creativity and caliber of the projects highlighted what’s possible when young people are equipped with design and entrepreneurship skills. Newlab is proud to be offering educational programming that encourages students from a full diversity of backgrounds to become active contributors in addressing our pressing global needs.
We are pleased to announce the award winners of the third annual HE³AT Student Showcase:
Most Innovative
Re: Circle - A B2B and B2C e-waste recycling and sorting service.
Coffee on the Go - A coffee ground recycling service for use as biofuel.
Best Prototype
HydroPure - A solar-powered aquatic robotic that cleans oil spills.
4EST - Drone that quickly detects forest fires and alerts local authorities.
Greatest Social Impact
P.E.D.E.L - Workplace exercise and electricity generation via a desk bicycle.
Audience Favorite
Black Square - An automatic, adjustable, and eco-friendly solar panel cleaning device.
Thank you to the New York City Economic Development Corporation for recognizing the importance of giving access and support to diverse talent and how students can address today’s greatest environmental challenges through technology and entrepreneurship.
