Local students developed improved spectrometer

Josie Kropfl – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) students sophomore Colton Ncgill, junior Nickolas Darpino, and sophomore Evan Repp-Apostolico recently developed their very own spectrometer, called Beacon.

A spectrometer is a complex, scientific “device that measures the wavelength between objects” said Ncgill. Ncgill further explained they intend Beacon to be an “educational system used in schools” and consists of a “touchscreen, iron sensor, and camera.”

These Mustangs were inspired by a local enrichment program, COATWISE, in the Science and Technology Society (STS). STS is a Sarasota and Manatee non-profit organization which facilitates Science-Technology-Engineering-Medical (STEM) based community engagement and provides eager students with scientific educational programs.

COATWISE involves students in analyzing, building, and discussing spectrometers. They then use their knowledge acquired from the course to evaluate environmental geography from the past and present.

Their project has also been fostered by LRHS’s Technology Student Association (TSA), which allowed them to further network, connect, and boost Beacon.

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They began their project in October of 2025 and have “managed their time well” enough to present their final product today, according to Ncgill. They developed three different prototypes, V1, V2, and V3.

When asked about trial and error, Ncgill responded by detailing their meticulous journey where they dropped their initial prototype, V1; then discovered V2 had a faulty power source; and finally developed Beacon’s final version, V3.

They are now out of the prototype phase, and currently in the BETA phase of developing Beacon. The team plans to further test Beacon and file a patent over the summer.

Another driving point to create Beacon stemmed from the lack of easy-to-operate, student-friendly devices. Prior to Beacon, students worked with NASA’s spectrometer, STELLA. Ncgill explained STELLA is not well funded or appreciated by NASA, creating a multitude of negligence issues.

Ncgill, Darpino, and Repp-Apostolico recognized the need for a new and efficient spectrometer.

Comparing Beacon to STELLA, their prices are relatively similar in the range of $250. However, a major difference includes Beacon being “more educational focused” while STELLA more so delves in on professional use, requiring users to have a “coding background, a cad background, an electoral background” and so on, explained Ncgill.

LRHS science teacher Alexandra Wilcoxson remarked, “It’s pretty phenomenal...what you guys are actually capable of doing” and “you don’t have to be in college and PhD programs to be doing this awesome stuff” after learning about Darpino, Ncgill, and Repp-Apostolico's achievement.