Students from John F. Kennedy High School have been selected as winners in NASA’s TechRise Student Challenge, earning support to develop and fly a student-designed science experiment on a high-altitude balloon.
The JFK team is one of 60 groups chosen nationwide for the program, which is now in its fifth year. Their project will be tested during a balloon flight operated by World View Enterprises in summer 2026, reaching altitudes between 70,000 and 95,000 feet and providing several hours of exposure to Earth’s upper atmosphere.
The team includes junior Jonathan Bakani and seniors Raeka Blanco, Keant Dela Cruz, Changmin Lee, Christopher Mantanona, Stephen Medrano, Dayonara Jade Mendoza, Alyssa-Faith Togawa, Ryder Torres and Jonas Wallace. They are guided by instructor Colette Beausoliel.
Through the challenge, students design experiments that operate autonomously and collect data during NASA-sponsored flight tests. This year’s winning teams represent more than 370 students from 52 states and territories.
Each team receives $1,500 to build its experiment, along with a starter kit that includes a flight box and technical support from Future Engineers advisors. Students use sensors and hardware to explore scientific topics such as radiation, electricity and magnetism and particle behavior.
“The team did their research and worked together to develop payload ideas to test their scientific questions,” Beausoliel said. “This outstanding opportunity allows students to conduct a real-world experiment while receiving professional engineering mentorship to assist them in developing their payload.”
Principal Barbara Adamos said the recognition reflects both student effort and faculty support.
“This achievement highlights the creativity and dedication of our students, as well as the expertise of Ms. Beausoliel,” Adamos said. “We are proud to see JFK High School represented among the winning teams and look forward to the exciting discoveries our students will make.”