MHS Students Earned First Place for Project H.E.R.O. at State Future Problem Solving Bowl

Project H.E.R.O. (Helping Emergency Response Organizations), created by students in the school’s Honor Community Problem Solving (CmPS) course, is a student-led initiative designed to provide stress-relieving items and bridge communication gaps between first responders and neurodiverse and/or young patients in emergencies. The students qualified for the international-level competition after their project won first place in the senior division at the State Future Problem Solving Bowl in March. 

 At the annual conference this June, Mahwah students competed against other qualifying senior division projects from schools around the world. The projects were evaluated through the submission of a six-page written project proposal, an eight-page written project report, a public service announcement video or image, a 40-page visual portfolio, an interactive display, and a 45-minute interview with a panel of judges. While the Project H.E.R.O. team did not place among the top finalists in their division, the students performed admirably on the international stage and showcased their project alongside the top student-led service initiatives in the world. 

 One of the highlights of the conference was participating in the Community Projects Fair, where students shared Project H.E.R.O. with attendees from across the United States and several other countries. The students also displayed their work at the “Community Projects Fair” at the University. During the exhibition, the team discussed the challenges facing emergency medical services in the local community and explained how the project works to support local EMS organizations through awareness initiatives, educational outreach, and supply drives. 

 “We are extremely proud of the team's accomplishments this year, including winning the New Jersey state competition and earning the opportunity to compete at the international level,” said Justin Saptuski, CmPS teacher and coach. “The dedication and empathy shown by the Project H.E.R.O. team and all our Future Problem Solving students speak volumes about the character and talent of our student body. Their ability to identify a complex community need and develop a tangible, award-winning solution is remarkable.” 

This global event serves as a platform for thousands of top-tier students to collaborate and tackle complex, real-world issues. By participating in the Future Problem Solving Program, Mahwah students engage in a rigorous curriculum that has been fostering critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and visionary leadership in young people since its founding in 1974. 

 Students who participated in the CmPS project are Davan Strommer, Mary Eggers, Katherine Jedynak, Lauren Prunk, Maggie Sariti, Dia Nair, Shravani Pawar, Aashini Desai, Anna Markiewicz, and Elizabeth Klein. 

 As part of Project H.E.R.O., students developed "Comfort Cases," which are ambulance-ready kits containing sensory tools, stuffed animals, and communication charts. To date, these students have surpassed their original goal of 100 kits by creating 140 kits and mobilizing over 400 legislative emails to support New Jersey first responders. 

 The initiative aims to address the critical volunteer shortage facing local EMS programs and the communication barriers first responders encounter when treating children or neurodiverse patients. By utilizing firsthand emergency medical volunteer experience with project outreach, the team designed specialized tools to ensure every patient feels understood with communication charts and recruited peers to join local volunteer corps, fostering new partnerships between local high schools and EMS departments. 

 Offered to gifted and talented students in grades 10 through 12, the CmPS curriculum encourages participants to act as agents of change. Throughout the year, students investigate real-world challenges, brainstorm sustainable solutions, and execute comprehensive action plans to improve their local, state, or global communities. 

 For more about the Future Problem Solving organization, visit https://fpspi.org.