Baldwin Herald Highlights Meadow Elementary and Baldwin Middle School Future Problem Solvers

Excerpt from article:

Teams from Meadow Elementary School and Baldwin Middle School captured first-place honors at the New York State Future Problem Solving Bowl, continuing the district's success in the statewide competition. 

The New York State Future Problem Solving program, an affiliate of Future Problem Solving Program International, challenges students in grades K-12 to develop solutions to real-world and future issues while building skills in research, collaboration, critical thinking and communication. 

Meadow Elementary School's fourth- and fifth-grade Community Problem Solvers team earned first place in the Junior Division for its project, "Cultural Carousel," which promoted cultural awareness and appreciation throughout the school community. The team was coached by teacher Pria Das and included Sarah Bonilla, Charlotte Friedman, Victor Geevarghese, Kari Hans, Ketav Kushbeharie, Xaiya Morris, Maxwell Reichert, Sothanee Sainsurin, Harvey Sherman, Niam Singh and Sofia Singson. 

The project addressed what students identified as a need for greater cultural understanding among their peers. Team members organized programs and activities highlighting diverse traditions and cultures, including Diwali, Lunar New Year and Black History Month celebrations. They also created family engagement events, educational videos, classroom activities and a "Passport Around the World" reading challenge. 

"Watching the students bring the 'Cultural Carousel' project to life has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey as a coach," Das said. "Their curiosity, respect for diversity and willingness to learn from one another remind me that culture is more than something we study. It's something we share, celebrate and grow through together." 

Meadow students also excelled in the Presentation of Action Plan category. Team 103 — Fenno Gathmann-Landini, Jorgensen Jean Baptiste, Stephen Gravino and Zachary McLeod — earned first place, while Team 102 — Chizaram Ubah, Janelly Gonzalez, Kensie Jackson-Chin and Ava Lopez — finished second. The teams were advised by Emily Clark. 

"The Future Problem Solvers is an exciting program where students collaborate to showcase their creative, out-of-the-box problem-solving abilities," Clark said. "Teams become experts in their fields of research and apply their knowledge to develop solutions for possible future world problems." 

At Baldwin Middle School, the Future Problem Solvers Pre-Academy team was named the 2026 Community Problem Solvers First Place Winner for its project, "Project Brains & Buddies: Understanding the Impact of Peer Tutoring." 

Led by teacher and adviser Naomi Diaz-Thomas, the team included Mathias Clement, Ameer Hassan, Mia Haynes, Chloe Lee, Brandon Llaguno, Emily Perez, Isabella Ramcharitar, Devin Roper, Donovan Smalls and Cameron St. Pierre. 

 

Read the full article online in the Baldwin Herald>>