Congratulations to The winners of the 2022 Alex Cohn Grant: Thai Davis ’23 and Ben Litvak-Hinenzon ’23!
Thai will be creating a veggie vehicle. Inspired by the rising gas prices and the toll that fossil fuel emissions have taken on the environment, Thai, a current junior, will convert a diesel car into an automobile fueled by vegetable oil. Thai will do research which includes how to install a second fuel tank and fuel injector and how to reimagine a filtration system that will support used oil from restaurants. Then, Thai will document the process of refurbishing and rebuilding a car in order to make it street safe and environmentally friendly.
“This will be an exhausting project but it is definitely worth it and I can’t wait to get started.” – Thai Davis ’23
Ben Litvak-Hinenzon will be taking on a project he calls “Tiny Farm, Big Impact”. Climate change is on the rise, shortening the world’s longevity. For this reason, it’s crucial to learn about sustainability right now. Ben hopes to bring sustainability into his everyday life and educate others on how they can do the same. His plan is to create a tiny produce farm in his backyard consisting of fruits, vegetables, and chickens. He will be keeping a blog that documents the whole process, and will also provide resources about using sustainability to halt climate change.
“While it’s not specifically one of the missions of the Cohn Grant, it’s interesting to see how many submissions this year included the theme of sustainability. It’s a topic that characterizes both Thai and Ben’s project and is an interesting reflection of what Beaver students truly care about. We’re excited to see where Thai and Ben take their projects in the coming year, and hope that it will inspire other students to take on passion projects either through the Cohn Grant next year or as an SDP or hobby.” – Perry Eaton, co-advisor for the Alex Cohn Grant
About the Alex Cohn Grant
The Alex Cohn Grant is awarded to a rising junior or senior for an experiential, hands-on program or course of study that will enable the student to explore a passion for a particular topic or activity outside of school. There is no requirement that this experience serve a higher purpose to humanity other than to help the student pursue a passion or interest in a way that may have a profound effect on him/her and his/her world view, decision-making process, future goals and aspirations or educational, career or life choices. Read more.