Brick Memorial High School Students Shine at 6th Annual STEMinar and Senior Celebration

On Monday, May 19, the Brick Schools’ 6th Annual STEMinar and Senior Celebration brought together the brightest scientific minds from across the district. Held at Brick Township High School, this exciting event showcased the work of students in the STEM Academy and honored their outstanding achievements in science, technology, engineering, and math.

More than just a showcase of capstone projects, the evening served as a powerful testament to the curiosity, creativity, and commitment of our young scientists, engineers, researchers, and innovators. From freshman medical research to senior-led investigations, each project reflected months of learning, collaboration, and innovation. The event was hosted by the district’s STEM Ambassadors, who introduced each project with pride, sharing their experiences and the lasting impact of their work.

The night also marked a moment of recognition and celebration. Students were honored across project categories, and the district proudly awarded two $500 STEM Scholarships based on scores from formal presentations judged earlier this month.

At Brick Memorial High School, our students once again stood out. Freshmen embarked on medical research projects under the guidance of Dr. Ussery-Kronhaus, Dr. Weinfeld, and the dedicated residents from Hackensack Meridian Health. These mentors not only offered thoughtful feedback but also arranged a tour of Ocean Medical Center, giving students valuable insight into the real-world medical field.

Sophomores tackled local sustainability issues, developing actionable solutions and visiting key sites such as the Northern Ocean County Recycling Center, the Manchester Landfill, and Save Barnegat Bay. Their work demonstrated how hands-on experience fosters deep understanding and community engagement.

Juniors tested their engineering chops in the OCC Cardboard Canoe “Dotted Line” Contest, where they raced boats made entirely of cardboard and duct tape across a YMCA pool. Out of all the competing teams, only two boats made it across—and both belonged to the STEM Academy at Brick Township School District. Paddling, pushing, and persevering, our students defied the odds.

The senior class took center stage with original, independent research and innovation. Projects ranged from mental health advocacy to robotics and sports science. This year’s BMHS senior capstone projects included:

• Jonathan Biro: Ecological Walkway at BMHS

• AJ Ehrmantraut: Electro Pouch – Real-Time Hydration for Athletes

• Daniel Lin: OCC Robotics Design Challenge: Redesigned

• Keira Miley: The Aggressive Generation – Has Technology Sparked Aggression?

• Gianna Platt: Raising Mental Health Awareness at Brick Memorial

• Daniel Popovitch: Preventing Arm Injury in Baseball: More Technique, Less Pitches

• Christine Prince: The Effects of Cosmic Radiation on Electricity in Plants

• Callie Thompson: The NICU – A Place for Intensive Care and Overlooked Needs

• Joseph Wallace: Weightroom Educational Videos

Thanks to a student-led fundraiser earlier this year, the STEM Academy was able to award two $500 scholarships. Based on rubric-based presentations, Brick Memorial’s Christine Prince was named the 2025 BMHS STEM Scholarship recipient.

Miss Jennifer Lane, Head of the STEM Program for the district, reflected on the evening by saying:

“Over the course of this year, the STEM students have meticulously planned and prepared presentations for their capstone projects. Each of these projects has been an opportunity for our students to learn, collaborate, and innovate. But the STEMinar is really about recognition; they have shown us what is possible when passion meets perseverance, and we could not be more proud of what they have accomplished this year.”

Mr. Chris Thompson, Supervisor of the Math Department, added:

“This year has been nothing short of transformative for the STEM Academy, and that transformation is largely thanks to Mrs. Pierce’s unwavering leadership, boundless creativity, relentless hustle, and the deep care she shows for every student. She has taken our students’ capstone projects to heights we never thought possible, setting new standards of rigor and expectation while guiding them every step of the way – she has been invaluable to the success of the STEM Academy this year.”

Congratulations to all students and staff involved in this incredible celebration of learning. The STEMinar once again proves that it is, indeed, a great day to be a Mustang, where minds ignite, ideas shine bright, and futures take flight.