FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
**Link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/h597z25ytln4wdtkbdkix/AFLonOuUOWG_VXMv6Iq4LqU?rlkey=o1cd1t1grfdb6o1w4ypbmsx5d&st=9fzdquz0&dl=0)
TAMPA, FL (April 20, 2026) — Students from Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) showcased their creativity, innovation, and problem‑solving skills at the 2026 Florida Invention Convention, recently held at the University of South Florida, earning top placements among student inventors from across the state.
The Florida Invention Convention brings together K–12 students who design original inventions to solve real‑world problems. Students present their ideas, prototypes, and research to judges from industry, higher education, and the innovation community.
Congratulations to the following HCPS student winners at this year’s statewide competition:
5th Grade
Evelyn Hill, Pride Elementary
2nd Place – Project: “Cool Catcher”
7th Grade
Tritiya Rajagopal, Williams Middle Magnet
3rd Place – Project: “Multimodal Cancer/Tumor Finder: A Non-Invasive Scanner”
8th Grade
Mahi Patel, Liberty Middle School
2nd Place – Project: “Biodegradable Foam Sheets via Pectin Crosslinking Study”
Yana Brahmankar, Williams Middle Magnet
3rd Place – Project: “Wristband Alert: A Simple Color-Changing Wristband for Early Detection”
10th Grade
Garg Yashika, Sarayi Karedla, and Navita Mishra, Middleton High School
1st Place – Project: “NeuroPath: Machine Learning for Early Detection of Cognitive”
Ishanvi Sabniveesu, Steinbrenner High School
3rd Place – Project: “AI Enabled Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired: CareCane”
11th Grade
Nayana Jayakumar, Hillsborough High School
3rd Place – Project: “ANN TO Predict Future Orbital States Across Three Orbits”
12th Grade
Daniel Park, King High School
1st Place – Project: “Psamacross: A Venom-Derived Anxiety Depression Medication”
Special Area Awards
Sahil Patel, Steinbrenner High School
Quadric IT Award – Project: “Validation of a Smartphone-Based Handheld LSCI Device”
Yana Brahmankar, Williams Middle Magnet
Amgen Award – Project: “Wristband Alert: A Simple Color-Changing Wristband for Early Detection”
Ishanvi Sabniveesu, Steinbrenner High School
Nault Launch Award – Project: “Biogradable Bite Block”
Yashika Garg, Sarayu Karedla, and Navita Mishra, Middleton High School
Nault Launch Award – Project: “NeuroPath: Machine Learning for Early Detection of Cognitive”
Tanishka Akanksha, Williams Middle Magnet
Best Display Board Award – Project: “A Prototype for Radiographic pH Chromatic Mapping in Soil”
Aryan Juneja, Avik Kalra, Hemaprabaa Rajakumar, Mahika Shah, Aashi Verma, and Aditya Chaube, Walker Middle Magnet
Best Display Board Award – Project: “TerraBox”
Ishanvi Sabniveesu, Steinbrenner High School
Best Presentation Award – Project: “AI Enabled Smart Cane for the Visibly Impaired”
“I am incredibly proud of our students representing Hillsborough County Public Schools with such creativity and determination,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “Their success at the Florida Invention Convention reflects the innovative thinking and problem‑solving skills we’re fostering in our classrooms every day, and it highlights the power of hands‑on learning to inspire future leaders.”
Twenty-three HCPS students were invited to attend the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals in Dearborn, Michigan this June 3-5.
To learn more about STEM at HCPS visit hillsboroughschools.org.