Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy continues to build on its reputation for excellence in STEM, with another standout performance at the A.H. Nickless Innovation Award competition.
The SASA team MicroGuard earned third place in the 13th annual competition, held April 25 at Saginaw Valley State University, following months of research, design, and development.
The team—Akshara Kanmanthreddy (Team Leader), Matlyn Miller, and Diya Ramakrishnan, under the guidance of coach Clara Wagner—developed a retrofittable, reusable washing machine filter designed to reduce microplastics entering waterways. Using progressive mesh layers, the device aims to capture harmful particles before they leave the home, addressing a growing environmental concern.
Their innovative solution stood out among 20 teams representing five regional high schools, earning each student a $1,000 scholarship along with a $5,000 STEM education grant for SASA.
A Competitive Regional Showcase
The A.H. Nickless Innovation Award brings together students from across the Great Lakes Bay Region to tackle real-world challenges through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This year’s top three teams represented schools from Midland and Saginaw, with SASA joining Herbert Henry Dow High School as one of the competition’s top finishers.
In total, the three winning teams earned $18,000 in scholarships and $35,000 in STEM education grants.
Other participating schools included Freeland High School, John Glenn High School (Bay City), and Midland High School.
Innovation with Real-World Impact
The MicroGuard project reflects SASA’s emphasis on problem-solving and innovation with real-world applications. By focusing on environmental sustainability and everyday solutions, the team demonstrated how student-led research can contribute to addressing global challenges.
The A.H. Nickless Innovation Award, presented by the Nickless Family Charitable Foundation, encourages students to think creatively and collaboratively while developing solutions in areas such as energy, healthcare, science, and technology.
Since its inception, the competition has awarded more than $816,000 in scholarships and STEM grants, supporting hundreds of student innovators across the region.
Continuing a Strong Tradition
SASA’s success at this year’s competition adds to a growing list of accomplishments in STEM and research, reinforcing the school’s commitment to preparing students for future careers through hands-on learning and innovation.
Saginaw Public Schools congratulates the MicroGuard team on this achievement and looks forward to their continued success.