Meet Wileidy Feliciano-Rivera, seventh-grader whose plantain mulch cut weeds 53%
Wileidy Feliciano-Rivera, a seventh-grader from Puerto Rico, created biodegradable mulch from discarded plantain peels, reducing weed growth by up to 53%. This innovative project not only tackles plastic waste but also offers agricultural benefits by retaining moisture and lowering soil temperatures. Wileidy's work is recognized as a finalist in the 2026 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.