Alisal High School

FINALIST project

Yareli Gaspar-Galvez, Diana Espinoza, David Vera, Kalyssa Curiel, Ruben Delgado

The solar-powered Soil Health Sensor advances AG-BioTechnology by measuring Potassium and Nitrogen levels in soil, aiming to support organic farming in Salinas Valley. Pesticides and natural events can degrade soil, making it harder to maintain. Currently, farmers test soil nutrients every 2–3 years, risking missed signs of deterioration. This sensor provides real-time data on nutrient levels, helping farmers respond quickly to changes and prevent yield loss. Additionally, the collected data may aid in detecting INSV (impatiens necrotic spot virus) in crops like salad greens, reducing produce waste and minimizing the impact of infection on soil nutrient balance.

Lorand Incze has been a science and engineering instructor for more than 20 years, he is also the robotics team advisor, rapid innovation design challenge team advisor, Biodesign challenge team advisor and SkillsUSA team advisor. He received various awards and recognitions during his career, the 2017 Alisal High School Teacher of the Year, 2021 Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year and the 2022 Congressional Recognition. Lorand has a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics, a M.S. in Physics from Babes Bolyai University in Romania, and M.S. in Leadership Administration from Brandman University.

Leticia Hernandez is a community educator, workforce development specialist, and advocate for equitable access to STEAM education. She has over seven years of experience in workforce development in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and four years supporting Bio Design teams at Alisal High School. Leticia founded the Local Urban Gardeners and the Community Garden and Learning Lab at Natividad Creek Park in Salinas, California. She previously managed the FARMS Leadership Program for the Central Coast and now leads alumni and internship programming at the Center for Land-Based Learning. She also has experience with various science initiatives like Grow Beyond Earth, BioJam Camp and Farm to Lab Table. Leticia has served on the Alisal Vibrancy Planning Committee, Monterey County Food Policy Council, and Salinas Traffic and Transportation Commission. She continues to bridge education, workforce development, and community-driven innovation.