Creating a Three-Level Memory Game to Improve People’s Concentration: A Report for S.T.E.M. Distinction at the High School Level

Upaul Chowdhury

Published Date: Mar - 13 - 2025

This report details the creation of a memory game that is both engaging and beneficial for cognitive improvement. The game is designed to enhance players' concentration and memory through progressive difficulty levels. As players advance, the complexity increases, making the game more challenging and stimulating. This project integrates key principles of memory training while maintaining an enjoyable gaming experience.

The Emerging Contaminants, PFAS, in Roof-Harvested Rainwater: Report on the High School Senior Project

Shreya Chowdhury

Published Date: Apr - 07 - 2025

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a category of “emerging contaminants” that have been detected in the environment. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) indicated that 97% of Americans have PFAS in their blood which high lights the known health effects of PFAS chemicals in humans. These health effects include male infertility, miscarriage, preeclampsia, lower birth weight, increased risk of liver, kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, increased cholesterol levels, thyroid disease, increased risk of asthma, altered Vitamin D levels, increased risk of diabetes, increased risk of hypertension in women, etc.

There are many path ways for PFAS exposure like drinking contaminated municipal water or private well water, food grown in places that used or made PFAS, eating fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS (specifically PFOS), accidentally swallowing contaminated soil or dust, eating food that is packaged with materials that contain PFAS, and using some consumer products such as stain resistant carpeting and water repellent clothing.

There are also some products that many contain PFAS like grease-resistant paper, fastfood containers/wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, candy wrappers, stain resistant coatings used on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics, water resistant clothing, cleaning products, personal care products (shampoo, dental floss) and cosmetics (nail polish, eye makeup), paints, varnishes, and sealants.

PFAS can be transported from contaminated areas to non-contaminated areas through dust, air, and finally reaching the surface through rainwater. As the practice of harvesting rainwater grows, it is important to be aware about the quality of roof harvested rainwater (RHRW). My research focuses on the quality of the RHRW collected from Watershed Management Group (WMG) in Tucson, AZ. Five samples were collected: Underground Rainwater Tank Sample (UGRWT), SC1; Field Blank Underground Rainwater Tank Sample, SC2; Aboveground Rainwater Tank Sample (AGRWT), SC3; Field Blank Aboveground Rainwater Tank Sample, SC4; and Kitchen Sink Water (filtrated), SC5. Measurements of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in these samples were made using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Both UGRWT and AGRWT contained higher levels of PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) compared with EPA, Lifetime Health Advisory Level (LTHAL). In UGRWT, PFOA and PFOS were 2.08 ng/L and 1.2ng/L but in AGRWT these were 1.09 ng/L and 0.93 ng/L, where as EPA, LTHAL are 0.004 ng/L and 0.02 ng/L, respectively. However, the Field Blank samples (SC2 and SC4) and the Filtered sample of UGRWT (Kitchen Sink Water, SC5) contained much less PFOA and PFOS compared with UGRWT and AGRWT but a higher level of PFOA and lower level of PFOS compared with EPA Level.

There were not as many PFAS contaminants in the AGRWT as there were in the UGRWT. This might be because the AGRWT was new, and the UGRWT has not been cleaned for a long period of time.

In conclusion, it would be best to monitor RHRW. There are many ways to do this such as the following: keeping catchments clean (swales), sending water samples to labs for testing to avoid any contaminated water to flow into the filtering system, putting some fine cloth on the inlet and outlet pipes and chambers to prevent any debris from getting into the filtering system, cleaning open drains regularly by removing deposits of sand and gravel, making available a layer of soil beneath the recharge structure to ensure natural filtration, draining and cleaning storage tanks thoroughly, changing the filter every year, removing algae from the roof tiles, not letting water stagnate in the collection chamber since it will slow down the recharge of water, and repairing cracks in the tanks. Maintaining these tasks will help avoid PFAS contamination in RHRW.

Science Activities for Everyone: Enhancing Students’ Academic Success and Personal Growth- A Short Review

Uttam K. Chowdhury

Published Date: Apr - 08 - 2025

Science projects are essential in developing key skills that promote academic success and personal growth. They enhance concentration, imagination, creativity, discipline, honesty, self-confidence, and overall happiness. These hands-on activities offer students valuable learning opportunities, encouraging problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-reflection. As a result, students build vital skills and a growth mindset that empower them to realize their full potential. Encouraging students to engage in research-based projects not only benefits their academic journey but also prepares them for future challenges, contributing to a more fulfilling and successful life.

Promoting Innovation and Learning Among Rural Youth Through Guidance

Uttam Chowdhury, Shreya Chowdhury, Banoj Mazumder, Anup Chowdhury

Published Date: May - 27 - 2026

Science and technology education play an important role in developing knowledge, creativity, and practical problem-solving skills among young people. However, many rural areas in developing countries still lack adequate scientific facilities and learning opportunities. To encourage students’ interest in science and innovation, the Upendra Nath Chowdhury Trust (UNCTrust) and EKU High School jointly organized a Science Fair in a village of Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh, in May 2022.

The event attracted several hundred students, teachers, parents, and community members. A total of seventeen science projects were presented by students ranging from primary school to high school. The projects demonstrated creativity, practical thinking, and the effective use of smartphones and internet resources to improve scientific knowledge and innovation. Several projects, including an excavator machine operated by air syringes, a modern village model, and electricity generation using potatoes and lemon juice, highlighted the students’ imagination and technical abilities.

This program also emphasized the importance of guidance, proper planning, hard work, positive thinking, and social responsibility in helping young people build a successful future. The manuscript discusses how science fairs and community-based educational activities can inspire children, improve practical learning, and support the mental and intellectual development of young people in underserved rural communities. The findings suggest that proper guidance, opportunities, and encouragement can help children and adolescents become responsible, creative, and productive members of society.

Community Health Camp and Youth Health Education Workshop in Rural Bangladesh

Uttam K. Chowdhury, Shreya Chowdhury

Published Date: Jul - 18 - 2026

Access to healthcare services and basic health education remains limited in many rural communities in Bangladesh. In May 2022, the Upendra Nath Chowdhury Trust (UNCTrust) organized a community Health Camp and Health Education Workshop in Khagbari village, Ramshil Union, Kotalipara, Gopalganj, Bangladesh. The program aimed to provide basic healthcare consultations, assess participants' general health concerns, promote health awareness, and engage youth and student volunteers in community health activities. A total of 253 participants, including 166 females and 87 males ranging in age from 2 to 90 years, received services from doctors, nurses, paramedics, and trained volunteers. Participants reported various health concerns, including respiratory problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, weakness, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, and blurred vision. The program also collected information on food habits, smoking, alcohol use, and COVID-19 vaccination status. Under professional supervision, youth and student volunteers assisted with participant registration, health questionnaires, and basic health measurements, gaining practical experience in teamwork, communication, health awareness, and community service. Although the findings cannot be considered representative of the general population, the program highlights the potential value of community health camps in providing basic healthcare support, promoting health education, and engaging young people in meaningful community activities. Continued community-based health programs may help increase health awareness and encourage youth participation in building healthier rural communities.

Design, Construction and Practical Applications of a Bluetooth-Controlled Robotic Car

Zuhayer Chowdhury, Zahi Chowdhury

Published Date: Oct - 10 - 2026

Many young learners have limited access to affordable, hands-on robotics platforms, despite the value such platforms offer in preparing students for STEM careers. This project aimed to design and build a low-cost, wirelessly controlled robotic car that could serve as an accessible educational tool for teaching robotics, programming, and wireless communication. Using an Arduino Uno R3, an HC-05 Bluetooth module, an L298N motor driver, and DC gear motors, we constructed a robot controlled via a smartphone for forward, backward, left, and right movement, as well as speed adjustment. We describe the components, assembly, circuit design, and programming involved, and demonstrate the platform's adaptability across applications, including robot competitions, service robotics, and industrial transport. The results show that a single, low-cost hardware-and-software design can be used for diverse educational and practical use cases. This work demonstrates that accessible electronic components can effectively introduce students to robotics, programming, and wireless communication, offering a practical entry point into engineering education.

A Preliminary Review of the Health Effects of Cold Water Consumption: Myth, Evidence and Reality

Souhrid Ghosh

Published Date: Oct - 10 - 2026

We all like to drink cold water even though we think that it may be harmful for us and might cause problems such as common cold, coughing, etc. Cold water is commonly consumed in daily life, especially during summer, after exercise, or when people feel tired and thirsty. Because it is such a regular habit, it is important to understand whether the concerns related to it are based on scientific evidence or only on common beliefs. This paper aims to separate the true facts from the myths being passed on from generation to generation. There are many myths such as “Cold water slows down digestion,” “Cold water can cause a sore throat or cold” and “It shocks organs and causes cramps” have been told by our parents every time we try to drink cold water. These beliefs often influence the choices people make about drinking water, even when they may not fully understand the actual effects on the body. This paper will help us understand whether cold water is harmful or is just made up by people. It also seeks to find out the safest method to consume cold water and how to reduce the negative effects of cold water. It will also discuss the long term risks and benefits of cold water consumption. By doing so, the paper aims to provide a balanced view that can help people make better and more informed decisions about drinking cold water. This paper summarizes information currently available from online and published sources. It is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Readers should consult qualified healthcare professionals before making decisions regarding their health.