Friday, October 2, 2026 · Serving all of Hudson County since March 2011Student Ideas for a Better America seeks to encourage the learning, insight, creativity, and workmanship of America’s students by recognizing and rewarding their accomplishments. Students are encouraged to enter any idea for a new way to demonstrate an educational concept, an idea for a new product, or an improvement for an existing product or procedure.
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Reda explained, “I heard about this contest from Mr. Dunphy. He helped me by giving me some ideas and advice. We had Google Meets to show him my invention, review my essay, and to go over the application process.”
“Reda’s invention is a portable waste to energy converter. He built a cardboard model for it and everything. It’s really cool. I’m very excited for him,” teacher, John Dunphy, shared.
“My Waste to Energy converter works is that the suction tube at the front collects trash. The Synova energy converter inside removes the inert glass, metal, and rock from the garbage, and then uses the remaining bio and plastic waste to produce gas. This powers turbines inside the machine to produce electricity,” Reda detailed and shares in the video he submitted to the contest as well.
“I wanted to compete in this competition because of my mom. She pushed me to work on it and I also wanted to be productive while I’ve been sitting at home.”
Reda will receive a $100 prize for winning the contest and will be featured on the Student for a Better America website and podcast.
Principal Krone added, “At Explore Middle School we encourage students to pursue passion projects, both in and out of the classroom. Reda participated in this contest not for academic credit or for an assignment in a class; he participated because he embodies the HCST philosophy that interest drives learning. I couldn’t be prouder.”