Eight Long Island high school students have been named regional finalists in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology.
They will advance to the next round, where a total of 97 regional finalists will attempt to capture the most prestigious science honors for high school students.
Lee Blackburn and Arthur Chen, juniors at Lawrence High School, earned their way as regional finalists after they found a way to boost hydrogen gas' electric output by 80 percent.
"Eventually, I hope that our product and our specific version of the hydrogen fuel cell can be seen in cars or any energy source that needs it," said Blackburn.
The Lawrence students will travel to Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania next month, where they will go up against four other teams in the regional competition.
Other local winners came from Great Neck South High School, Jericho High School, Valley Stream Central High School, Ward Melville High School and Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway.