LUMBERTON — Students from Lumberton Junior High School recently earned third place in the ASSIST Wearable Device Challenge at NC State University on April 20, 2026, showcasing an innovative healthcare solution designed to save lives during emergencies.
Using the engineering design process, the student team identified a critical healthcare challenge: thousands of Americans die or become permanently disabled each year because their medical histories are unknown during emergencies. To address this issue, students developed a two-part wearable emergency response system.
The first component is a durable wristband created using the frame of a watch, a custom QR code, and protective clear covering. The second component is a mobile application built using MIT App Inventor specifically for first responders.
When paramedics arrive on the scene, they would be able to scan the QR code on the wristband, which would direct them to a secure password-protected login. Once authenticated, the app would instantly provide five key pieces of medical information: the patient’s name, allergies, medications, medical conditions and emergency contacts.
A key requirement of the competition was integrating the One Health Initiative, which recognizes the connection between human, animal, and environmental health. By providing instant access to medical history, the students’ device could also help responders better detect, prevent, and respond to broader public health threats, including zoonotic or vector-borne diseases.
The team’s long-term vision is to improve emergency outcomes by significantly reducing fatalities linked to unknown medical histories.
“I am very proud of what these students accomplished,” said Phyllis King, LJHS CTE teacher and the team’s adviser. “Watching them articulate their work was the highlight for me. That is the bonus of having students complete STEM projects: students discover solutions to real problems and are able to support their answers with evidence.”
The project was developed by the following students: William Spain, Parker Marlow, Wood Mentor and Joscelyn Alfrod and presented at NC State University. Sarah Creteur and Kaden Gracie also participated in the project.
“I am proud of these students for their outstanding collaboration and dedication this school year. They have gone above and beyond, balancing academics with extracurricular projects while demonstrating teamwork, leadership and responsibility. Their efforts reflect their readiness to succeed in an increasingly competitive global future,” said Cindy Davis, who serves as an 8th Grade Science teacher at the school.
The recognition highlights the innovation, critical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills being developed by students in the Public Schools of Robeson County as they prepare for future success.
“On behalf of the Public Schools of Robeson County, I would like to congratulate these students for their excellence and innovative approach to solving problems. We need the next generation of leaders to build a brighter future for us all and these students are leading the way in that effort,” PSRC Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson said.