Kentucky school wins $150K for device that picks up needles

ASHLAND, Ky. – A Kentucky middle school has won a nationwide competition for creating a device that can safely pick up used needles and other drug paraphernalia.

News outlets report Ashland Middle School won $150,000 Wednesday from Samsung. The hand-held device looks like a plastic box with flexible teeth that first responders and others can use to avoid touching needles.

Ashland and two other schools were named winners in the contest, which challenges public school teachers and students in grades 6th through 12th to show how science, technology, engineering, art and math can be applied to improve their local community.

ABC’s “Good Morning America” announced the winners.

Samsung Electronics America Corporate Citizenship director Ann Woo says Ashland’s project stood out because it could be utilized in other places impacted by the drug epidemic.