by Lawrence Public Schools
Selected from thousands of entries nationwide, ENLACE's Art Teacher, Shaddai Vargas, and his students have been named the Massachusetts state winners in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest for their proposed plan to address the causes of the Merrimack Valley gas disaster. The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest encourages teachers and students to solve real-world issues in their community using classroom skills in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Mr. Vargas was inspired to submit a proposal for the contest based on conversations he’d had with his students in the aftermath of the Merrimack Valley Gas Fires. Students had many questions about how something so terrible could happen in their community. As a result of these conversations, Mr. Vargas submitted a proposal to Samsung Solve for Tomorrow designed to help students learn about the causes of the gas explosions in Lawrence, explore chemical properties of natural gas and heating technology safety, and identify solutions to improve natural gas safety in the community. ENLACE is among the nation’s 50 state winners and will receive $20,000 in technology for its achievement and the opportunity to advance to the next phase of the contest and win additional prizes and educational opportunities. Congratulations, Mr. Vargas!