Congratulations to Lehigh Valley Academy’s very own DeAndre Bentinck, who has been recognized with a 2025 STEAM Award from the Da Vinci Science Center! This prestigious honor celebrates exceptional students and educators who embody excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).
DeAndre was one of just five student award recipients, selected from a highly competitive pool of 75 applicants—a true testament to his passion, talent, and leadership in the STEAM fields.
DeAndre is a STEAM enthusiast with a strong interest in how systems work and interact. For his self-directed research project, he designed and built an e-bike, exploring its potential to reduce emissions in suburban communities and enhance local transportation infrastructure. His innovative project reflected both his engineering skills and his commitment to environmental sustainability—qualities that helped earn him this outstanding recognition.
The award winners were honored at the Science Soirée, the Da Vinci Science Center’s annual gala, which spotlights innovation, creativity, and community impact. This year’s celebration recognized individuals whose work spans a wide range of meaningful contributions, from biomedical research and engineering innovation to advancing equity in science education.
“These students and educators exemplify how curiosity, creativity, and perseverance can shape not only individual futures, but the future of our entire region through STEAM,” said Lin Erickson, Executive Director and CEO of the Da Vinci Science Center. “Their achievements are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passion meets purpose. We’re proud to honor these changemakers whose ideas and innovations will help drive our community—and the World—forward.”
We are incredibly proud of DeAndre for this well-deserved recognition and can’t wait to see the continued impact of his dedication to learning and innovation. His accomplishments are a shining example of what makes the LVA community so special. Way to go, DeAndre!
DeAndre was also highlighted in several local news articles featuring this year’s Da Vinci Science Center STEAM Award winners—another well-earned spotlight for his outstanding achievement. We invite you to check them out!
Lehigh Valley Academy RCS 