Alexa Eyring and Kayla Shine, two Biomedical Science students at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies, won first place in the team engineering team division and the Region II International Sustainable World Engineering Award at the 60th Region II Science and Engineering Fair.

As a part of their Biomedical Innovations course, students conduct a capstone research or engineering project and then compete in several science fairs in order to receive feedback and potential awards. Alexa and Kayla designed an assistive hand cuff for feeding utensils to enhance grip for children with cerebral palsy.

Alexa and Kayla's nomination for the I-SWEEEP – International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering, and Environment Project Olympiad, in the Engineering category, made them eligible to compete at I-SWEEEP April 27 – May 1. The girls were among two of the three to qualify from South Carolina competing against top-ranking participants from over 70 countries in the World's Largest Science Fair. Alexa and Kayla were awarded bronze medals in the Engineering category. They recently received a green light from a patent attorney to move forward on the patent process. Overall the girls have been awarded just over $1,100 in grants and awards.