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Students from Battle Creek area chosen for MIT InvenTeams request board permission to travel to Boston
Summary
Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center students involved in an MIT InvenTeams project asked the board for permission to travel to Boston this summer to present their invention; presenters said fundraising and a grant are covering costs and the board was not asked to provide funds.
Members of the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center and students accepted into the Lemelson‑MIT InvenTeams program requested board permission Feb. 11 to travel to Boston this summer to present their project.
Amanda Dalloway, the teacher chaperone, and students Grace Hemble and Miles Reinke described an invention project using Raman spectroscopy to detect benzodiazepines in liquids as a potential deterrent to drink‑spiking. They said the team of 25 students and five chaperones would attend a national showcase and that the trip itself did not require district funding; the group sought only board approval to travel out of state. The presenters said they had received a $4,000 grant and were fundraising to cover remaining costs.
Staff and trustees praised the students’ sustained work — the team has been meeting on Saturdays and working since summer — and noted previous InvenTeam participants have used the experience to pursue college opportunities, including at MIT. Trustees encouraged community members to attend the team’s mid‑grant review on Feb. 26 at the Math and Science Center and asked staff to connect the team with potential local funders.
No board funding was requested or approved at the meeting; the board granted permission for the group to travel. Staff and trustees asked the students to continue coordinating logistics and to provide the board with final travel details and chaperone information.
