JA 18 Under 18 2025
RAKIZ CHONG
Via the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Challenge, Rakiz, a junior at Mount Hebron High School, has contributed to solving the very real problem of construction worker safety in highway work zones. Using autonomous systems, IoT smart sensors, and AI-based traffic management, Rakiz led his team to determine the root causes of accidents in work zones and find solutions by automating traffic patterns. He continues to find solutions to real-world challenges with The Junior Academy at the New York Academy of Sciences. Rakiz is also vice president of the Model United Nations chapter, a participant in the Howard County Model United Nations Conference, president of the nonprofit WEngineer (which provides STEM education to underserved youth), and a mentor, coach, and finalist in the National Euro Economics Challenge.
“Rakiz’s persistence, problem-solving skills, and willingness to learn are key factors in his entrepreneurial journey… to innovate and push boundaries in STEM and public safety.”
— Vann Prime, teacher