09/21/2026
WELL DONE !
New Hyde Park Memorial student Sofia Allyson Ignacio’s innovative safety enhancing concept - the “ Cross Assist Program “ has earned her Young Scientist Challenge state merit recognition. Your Civic Association and your Community applaud your accomplishment. Congratulations !
Thanks to Newsday ReporterMichael R. Ebert for this article :
A New Hyde Park student is walking tall after being recognized for a project that helps pedestrians cross the street.
Sofia Allyson Ignacio, a seventh grader at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, was one of 37 U.S. students named a state merit winner in the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge, which asked children in grades five through eight to use science to solve an everyday problem.
Sofia's project, "Cross Assist," consists of a bar gate and a rubber mat with LED lights reading "STOP!" that can be operated from a crossing guard's belt. "I was thinking of a way to prevent pedestrians from crossing dangerous roads while they're distracted on their phones," Sofia, 12, said. "I hope to improve my project even more in the future with Al or motion sensors."
The competition recognizes up to 51 state merit winners and 10 finalists based on "creativity, scientific knowledge and communication skills, according to competition officials. Sofia was the only New York student to win in this year's competition, created by 3M and the learning platform Discovery Education.
Lara Holzkamp, a math and science coach in the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District who encouraged Sofia to enter the competition, called her idea and prototype "outstanding."
"I knew as soon as I saw Sofia's project it was something special,"
Holzkamp said.