Brothers ‘Glow’ as Terrace Stars

If you visit the Glow family in fall and winter, you’re likely to find some science experiments taking place in their Temple Terrace home.

While many families focus on sports during those seasons, the Glow brothers—Joshua, Benjamin and Samuel—are preparing for science fairs. This year, each one walked away with awards from the Hillsborough Regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Fair.

On Tuesday, Temple Terrace Mayor Frank Chillura and the City Council recognized them as the first recipients of the “Terrace Star” award.

“(The) brothers share a common love of science and a passion for competing in the county and state science fairs,” Chillura said. “We honor and commend (them for their) accomplishments and dedication.”

Terrace Star is a new program meant to recognize local kids for academic achievement, Chillura said. Local schools have been notified of the initiative and encouraged to nominate kids who stand out academically. Each recipient will be publicly recognized at a City Council meeting and given a certificate.

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Samuel, the youngest brother and a student at Lewis Elementary School, was the first to be recognized Tuesday. For his project, he explored edible insects and their nutritional value, earning second place in third grade Life Science in the Hillsborough Regional (STEM) Fair.

Benjamin, a student in Greco Middle School’s STEM program, was the next Terrace Star. His project was a second-year study focusing on nutritional comparisons of naturally raised versus standard raised beef with fodder from both types of feed lots. He received first place in Junior Biochemistry in the Hillsborough Regional STEM Fair and second place at the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair.

Joshua, a 10th-grader in King High School’s International Baccalaureate program, was the final Terrace Star of the evening. His project focused on the de-nitrification of different agricultural plants in an aquaponics system.

His inspiration came from his Advanced Placement Environmental Science class as well as guidance and mentoring from University of South Florida Professor Philip Reeder and Joshua Sakmar, a biologist with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Joshua placed second at the Hillsborough Regional STEM Fair and fourth at the Florida State Science and Engineering Fair.

“These kids are our future,” Chillura said during the Terrace Star recognition, “and it’s very important to have these type of examples in our community.”

He also acknowledged the brothers’ parents and grandparents, who were present to show their support. And he thanked Greco Middle School principal Yinka Alege for his dedication to education and Greco’s STEM science teacher Keeney Hayes for guiding the brothers and their passion for science.

“It’s my honor to work with them,” Hayes said.

See also:

• Lewis 3rd-Grader: Crickets Are the Best-Tasting Insects
• Glow Brothers Shine at Science Fair