Rye Country Day School
Projects 2026
Saving the Sound with Oxyfloat
FINALIST PROJECT
Silver Medal Recognition for Narrative and Reflection
Mei Macintyre, Chase Tucker, Josie Choi, Caroline Pereira
Oxyfloat is a jellyfish-inspired floating device designed to address coastal hypoxia, or low oxygen “dead zones,” such as those in Long Island Sound. It uses biomimicry and renewable energy to circulate water through chambers containing photosynthetic algae that produce oxygen. The oxygen-rich water is then delivered to seafloor habitats, creating localized “oxygen oases” that support marine life. Its modular, scalable design offers a sustainable approach to restoring degraded coastal ecosystems and enhancing long-term biodiversity and resilience.
Instructors 2026
Catherine Bischoff is the STEAM Director where she leads transformative initiatives across Pre-K–12 science and engineering education. A passionate advocate for interdisciplinary learning, she has pioneered programs that bridge science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics—including the development of two school makerspaces, Women in Science programs, and the annual STEAM and ROBO Fests. With over two decades of teaching experience in AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, and Engineering, Catherine integrates authentic research, sustainability, and design thinking into her curriculum.
Katie Rosell is a STEAM Associate Teacher at Rye Country Day School, teaching 6th Grade Shop and also serves as the assistant coach of the Upper School robotics team. She is passionate about supporting students as they explore engineering, coding, and creative problem-solving. As CEO and Founder of Rosell Studios LLC, she has led development on the video game "The Lost Journal", collaborated with clients on graphic design projects, and created workshops in game and graphic design for learners of all levels.