An eighth-grader from Massachusetts is gaining national recognition for inventing a wearable device that detects seizures and alerts caregivers in real time. Fourteen-year-old Sarah Wang was inspired after witnessing her grandmother have a seizure during a family visit to China. Shocked and concerned, she began researching epilepsy and discovered that existing detection tools were often expensive, uncomfortable, or unreliable.
Determined to make a difference, Sarah created “Hand Band,” a sensor-equipped wristband that tracks seizure-related hand movements and sends instant alerts via Bluetooth. Now on her third prototype, she’s refining the design, improving accuracy, and considering a patent. Her innovation earned her a spot as a 2025 National STEM Champion, giving her a platform to showcase her work in Washington, DC. Surrounded by fellow young innovators, Sarah left the event feeling more motivated than ever to pursue science and help others. What began as a moment of fear is now a mission to bring comfort and safety to families facing epilepsy.