District News

G.W. Hewlett High School hosted the Long Island Robotics Championships on Sunday, March 1, showcasing the skill, creativity, and teamwork of student innovators across the region. The event was a thrilling celebration of STEM and highlighted the achievements of Hewlett’s own robotics teams.

Team Innovo (5477) earned top honors, capturing the prestigious Inspire Award (1st Place) and serving as the Winning Alliance – 1st Team Selected. With this win, Innovo will advance to the FIRST® Championship, held April 29 – May 2, 2026, in Houston, TX. The FIRST Championship, presented by BAE Systems, is the culminating international event for youth robotics programs and a premier celebration of STEM excellence.

RoboBoogie (3540) also had an outstanding showing, earning Inspire Award 2nd Place and the opportunity to select a Premier Event to attend. Bionica (7120) was recognized with the Sustain Award for demonstrating consistent commitment to innovation and teamwork.

Robotics coach Daniel Duffey Birkenstock was honored with the Compass Award 2nd Place for his leadership and dedication to guiding students through a successful season.

Hewlett’s robotics teams displayed exceptional collaboration and ingenuity, reinforcing the District’s commitment to STEM education and preparing students for future success in science and technology.

Three students from George W. Hewlett High School have advanced to Round 2 of the New York Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF), the regional competition for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). This achievement reflects the students’ dedication to scientific research, innovation, and academic excellence.

During Round 1 of NYSSEF, approximately 25 percent of participants were selected to advance to Round 2, which will take place on March 30, 2026. First-place finalists from Round 2 will earn the opportunity to compete at Regeneron’s International Science and Engineering Fair, scheduled for May 9 to May 15, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The students selected to compete in Round 2 are:

• Ella Findling (Grade 11)

• Julia Igaunis (Grade 12)

• Sebastian Mendoza Reyes (Grade 11)

Each student conducted independent research addressing complex scientific challenges with meaningful real-world applications.

Ella Findling investigated treatments for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a growing global health concern and the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children. Her research examined the impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), medications commonly used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Her findings demonstrated that pediatric patients treated with GLP-1 RAs showed significant reductions in liver fat and fibrosis, suggesting promising therapeutic potential for improving metabolic liver disease outcomes.

Julia Igaunis explored the epigenetic regulation of plant growth by studying the effects of DNA methylation on rhizoid and root hair development in the fern Ceratopteris richardii. Her research demonstrated that regulating DNA methylation can promote root hair growth, which may enhance plants’ ability to absorb water and nutrients. This work has potential implications for improving crop development and sustainability, particularly in challenging environmental conditions.

Sebastian Mendoza Reyes focused on improving the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI), a condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. By analyzing multiple RNA sequencing datasets, he identified genes that serve as potential biomarkers for AKI and distinguish it from chronic kidney disease. His research may contribute to more accurate and timely diagnosis of kidney disorders, improving patient outcomes.

All research projects were conducted at George W. Hewlett High School, highlighting the school’s commitment to providing students with opportunities for advanced scientific inquiry and authentic research experiences.

The District congratulates Ella, Julia, and Sebastian on this outstanding accomplishment and wishes them continued success as they advance to the next stage of competition.

Three students from George W. Hewlett High School have advanced to Round 2 of the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF), the regional competition for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. The students will compete in Round 2 on March 12, 2026.

During Round 1 of LISEF, students presented their research to judges in their respective categories. Approximately 25 percent of participants are selected to advance to Round 2. First-place finalists from Round 2 will move on to compete at Regeneron’s International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Arizona, from May 9 to May 15, 2026.

The students selected to advance are Ella Findling (11th grade), Julia Igaunis (12th grade), and Valeria Paez Martinez (11th grade).

Student Research Highlights

Ella Findling (11th Grade)
Ella’s research examined glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and their potential to reduce liver fat and fibrosis in pediatric patients with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease. Her findings suggest that GLP-1 RAs may improve metabolic regulation while reducing liver damage, offering a promising treatment approach for children with this condition.

Julia Igaunis (12th Grade)
Julia investigated how DNA methylation affects root hair and rhizoid development in the fern Ceratopteris richardii. Her research demonstrated that regulating DNA methylation can promote root hair growth, which may improve nutrient absorption and support crop development under stressful environmental conditions.

Valeria Paez Martinez (11th Grade)
Valeria studied phytochrome gene regulation in the fern Ceratopteris richardii, identifying a novel mechanism involving alternative splicing linked to a mobile genetic element. Her work highlights how plants adapt to changing light environments and reveals new insights into plant evolution.

The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools community congratulates these students for their outstanding scientific achievement and wishes them continued success in Round 2 of the competition.