By Heidy Brosofsky Weaver
mail@floridanewsline.com

Rising Creekside High School sophomore Benjamin York has a shirt that reads, “Math is My Superpower.” However, one might argue that science can’t be too far behind after the rising Creekside High School sophomore’s science project made it all the way to the International Science and Engineering Fair.

A science fair participant since second grade, York won region and state this year and then participated in the international competition with his efficient and compact steam turbine creation. Although he did not place in the international fair, he received a first place award from the Air Force Research Laboratory on behalf of the United States Air Force.

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To get to this level requires thorough and meticulous research, according to York, who won his first school science fair in third grade and first district one in sixth grade.

“The judges said he presented really well, and he certainly knows his subject,” says Marna Fox, Secondary Science Program Specialist for St. Johns County Schools.

Regardless of the accolades, York emphasizes that he doesn’t enter for the prizes. 

“The best part of the science fair is the people you meet and the friends you make along the way in the competitions,” he said.

This school year, he was able to connect with students from Greece, Israel, Australia, Turkey, and other places around the world and across America.

What’s more, this science gene runs in the family. His sister Emma, a rising seventh grader at Freedom Crossing Academy, also won state this year with a project on wind turbines.

Both consider this a hobby and work on projects year-round. In fact, summer is time to go back to the workshop and plan for next year. The new member of the Engineering Academy at Creekside High School said he uses CAD software as a design tool. He also works in a shop full of electric tools, such as a lathe band saw and vertical mill, to assist him. 

Only time will tell what his next project will be, but one thing is for sure — York’s ideas will continue to contribute to making the world a better place.

Photo courtesy Heidy Brosofsky Weaver
Ben York works on his science fair project.

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