An aquatic robot to help remove phosphorus pollution from local ponds and rivers has won Merrimack Valley High School the state prize in a national technology contest.

The Penacook school was the state winner in the 13th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition. It will receive a prize package of at least $12,000 in technology and school supplies and be eligible for the national competition.

The project targets increasing levels of phosphorus, which can lead to algae blooms and other environmental problems. Students hope to build an autonomous robot that will take in water, fix the phosphorus and then release the treated water back into the environment.

Each state winner will receive a video production kit from Samsung to help document their STEM project. In May, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow will name three schools as National Winners, each of whom will receive $100,000 in prize packages comprised of Samsung technology and classroom supplies.

Solve for Tomorrow engages students in active, hands-on learning that can be applied to real-world problems – making STEM more tangible and showcasing its value beyond the classroom.

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