Eagle Scout Derek Desrosiers of North Attleborough has tackled pollution along the 10 Mile River through an innovative project that uses aquatic plants to improve water quality.
This ambitious effort not only addresses a persistent community issue but has also earned Desrosiers the prestigious Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award.
The Supernova Award is awarded to Scouts who demonstrate exceptional knowledge and initiative in STEM fields. By focusing on sustainability and environmental science, his work showcases the potential for youth-driven solutions to pressing ecological challenges.
“Whenever I do STEM, I think of communities close to me,” Desrosiers explained. “And I knew the grant I applied for was environmentally-based…And the river has been an issue in the community for a while now.”
Through Desrosiers’ research on aquatic plants to improve water quality, he discovered that certain plants naturally absorb excess nutrients from water, a process that mitigates pollution caused by fertilizer runoff.
“When these plants are in the water, they collect nutrients as the water flows by,” he said. “It’s a natural process for them to grow and live…The problem is when there’s too much nutrient runoff, this harms ecosystems…By growing more plants, we are using the extra nutrients, which helps both the plants and the ecosystem.”
During his experiments, Desrosiers set up tanks to stress-test aquatic plants under various nutrient conditions.
“We tested potassium, pH levels, total dissolved solids, nitrate, and nitrogen,” he shared.
Desrosiers hopes his research will inspire further exploration and adoption of similar environmental solutions.
“This project is a way to continue research,” he said. “It’s an option that hasn’t been fully considered…it’s cost-effective and non-invasive.
Reflecting on his project, Desrosiers emphasized the importance of community involvement and effective communication.
“The most important thing is finding a community or organization that is meaningful to you,” he advised. “The whole point of a project like this is to have a community impact… You have to make sure what you’re doing can be used.”
He also highlighted the lengthy Eagle Scout process, encouraging others to embrace it.
“The first six months included communicating with the community to figure out what they needed,” he said. “You have to make sure you’re delivering, and that means communicating.”
Desrosiers expressed gratitude to those who supported him along the way, including his family and longtime mentor Tammy Cullins, who guided him from earning his Bronze Award to achieving his Gold Medal.
Desrosiers’ project was also bolstered by contributions from North Attleborough High School science teacher Alexander Hatzberger and fellow student Aanshi Agrawal.
Though Desrosiers is no longer a student at North Attleborough High School — he transferred to the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI for his junior year — his project remains a testament to academic dedication and community commitment.
Receiving the Dr. Albert Einstein Supernova Award underscores Desrosiers’ dedication and his ability to connect scientific inquiry with real-world impact. The award celebrates Scouts who take the initiative to address STEM-related challenges, and his work marks a significant milestone for both North Attleborough and local Scout troops.