While most eighth-graders are busy navigating middle school life, Brandon Miranda and Adriel Magana are navigating something much bigger: how to clean our planet’s water—one microplastic at a time.

These two students from Harvest Preparatory Academy have designed and built a robot that filters microplastics from wastewater, tackling one of the world’s most urgent environmental issues with a mix of creativity, coding, and pure determination.

Their journey began as part of a partnership with Arizona State University’s SCience and ENgineering Experience (SCENE), which introduces underrepresented students to hands-on science projects. With guidance from ASU mentors, Brandon and Adriel spent months learning about microplastic pollution and how even the tiniest plastic particles can damage ecosystems and enter our food and water.

Their solution? A compact, wheeled robot with a built-in filtration system that can float on water and scoop out tiny plastic particles. The robot uses sensors to detect debris and steer itself, making it both eco-friendly and autonomous. It’s like a mini Roomba—only for ponds and rivers.

In April 2025, the boys presented their invention at a community showcase in Yuma. Surrounded by fellow students, teachers, and local officials, they explained how their robot could help reduce pollution in Arizona’s waterways—and eventually, even on a global scale.

“Our dream is to make something that can help real communities,” Adriel said. “Even small actions can have big impact.”

Brandon added, “We want to show other kids that science isn’t just in textbooks. You can use it to actually solve problems.”

The team’s project was so impressive that it’s now being considered for future field testing with local water conservation groups. Their ASU mentors praised not just the technology, but the boys’ teamwork, curiosity, and leadership.

“This is exactly the kind of student innovation that gives us hope,” one mentor shared. “They’re young, but they’re thinking like engineers—and leaders.”

What’s Next?

  • Further development and testing of their prototype
  • Presentations at local STEM events and science fairs
  • Inspiring younger students at Harvest Prep to pursue environmental engineering

With brains, heart, and a commitment to clean water, Brandon and Adriel are proving that even middle schoolers can take on massive problems—and build solutions that float.

Photo caption: Brandon Miranda (left) and Adriel Magana proudly present their microplastic-cleaning robot.