Brooklyn Tech Students Awarded Prestigious LemelsonMIT InvenTeam Grant
Brooklyn Tech Students
Awarded Prestigious
Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grant
Brooklyn Technical High School has once again distinguished itself on the national stage. The Lemelson-MIT (LMIT) Program has selected Brooklyn Tech as one of only eight high schools across the United States to receive a 2025–2026 LMIT InvenTeam grant—an honor that recognizes outstanding student innovation and a commitment to solving real-world problems through technology.
Teachers Justin Fabrikant and Jason Sheldon and their students are to be congratulated for earning this highly competitive grant, noting that InvenTeams are composed of high school students “who have identified a real-world problem and will develop a technological invention as a solution.” Special thanks is also given to BTHS teacher Stephanie Doire who serves as the team’s Research Advisor.
This year’s Brooklyn Tech InvenTeam, led by faculty mentors Justin Fabrikant and Jason Sheldon and research advisor Stephanie Doire, stood out for both the strength of their proposal and its practical impact. The highly competitive LMIT program recognizes teams that combine rigorous STEM research, creative design thinking, and community awareness—hallmarks of a Tech education and the kind of hands-on problem-solving alumni know well.
The students taking part in the project are Melanie Kaczor, SaiLaxmi Manish, Piu Banik, Tamim Rashid, Olivia Przadka, Nicole Morcos, Safwat Ullah, Alay Ali, Eric Law, Vinny Thukral, Eric Jiang, Lucas Lin, Chucheng Wen, Gabriel Gralnik, Mariam Amin, Jasper Solomon, MD Dalman Saya, Issan Chowdhurry, and Azim Zihad.
Tackling Harmful Airborne Pollutants on Construction Sites
Brooklyn Tech’s InvenTeam is taking on a critical environmental and publichealth challenge: harmful airborne pollutants on construction sites. Their project places students at the intersection of engineering, environmental science, and community wellbeing—an ideal embodiment of the InvenTeam mission and rooted in the beliefs of the students and staff at Brooklyn Tech.
A Year of Invention and Impact
Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, the team will design, prototype, and refine their invention with support from MIT mentors and the Lemelson-MIT Program. The invention process culminates in June at EurekaFest 2026, where teams from across the country gather to showcase their work and celebrate student innovation.
The Lemelson-MIT Program emphasizes the lasting value of this experience, writing that participation “fosters a culture within the school and the broader community to solve problems with technological inventions,” and often leads to long term change.
MidGrant Technical Review: February 25
The Brooklyn Tech community and invited supporters will have the opportunity to see the team’s progress at their MidGrant Technical Review:
- Date: Wednesday, February 25
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Brooklyn Technical High School, Library
- RSVP: jfabrikant@schools.nyc.gov
Attendees should enter through the northeast entrance at S. Elliott Pl. and DeKalb Ave. Visitors must present a government-issued picture ID.
During this event, students will present their technological solution and demonstrate how they are applying STEM principles to build their prototype.
A National Program with Proven Impact
The InvenTeams initiative has supported more than 300 teams, reaching 4,000 students nationwide and contributing to 18 U.S. patents. Brooklyn Tech now joins this legacy of invention and educational excellence.
The Alumni Foundation Supports the Team
The Lemelson-MIT Program encourages community members to help amplify the team’s work through recognition, outreach, and continued engagement throughout the school year. With that in mind, the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation will help enhance the team’s efforts through a generous grant, specifically coming from the Ed Rothenberg ’61 fund. Through Mr. Rothenberg’s generosity, the Foundation supports hands-on projects such as the InvenTEAM’s project.
How Genspace Will Support the Team’s Innovation
As part of their research and prototyping journey, the Brooklyn Tech InvenTeam will also benefit from access to Genspace, New York City’s community biology lab. Genspace provides:
- Specialized laboratory equipment that can support environmental testing, sensor calibration, and materials analysis
- A collaborative maker‑science environment where students can refine prototypes and explore bio‑inspired approaches to pollution detection
- Expert guidance from scientists, engineers, and community mentors who can help students deepen their understanding of air quality, particulate matter, and real‑world testing methods
- A safe, well‑equipped space for experimentation that goes beyond what is typically available in a high school setting
This partnership strengthens the team’s ability to validate their ideas and connect with a broader community of innovators working at the intersection of biology, technology, and environmental health.
You Can Help Support the Team
The team is raising money to cover costs for items that the LMIT grant does not fund. These include travel expenses, live organisms (bacteria), and chemicals for use in the lab. If you are interested, you can support us by donating here. You can also follow the team’s progress with LMIT's monthly newsletter, Inside InvenTEAMS.
See the first issue and subscribe for more here.
A Proud Moment for Brooklyn Tech
This recognition reflects the creativity, empathy, and determination of Brooklyn Tech’s students and educators. Their work represents the best of STEM education—using knowledge and innovation to improve lives and strengthen communities.
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