Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) middle and high school students recently presented research projects at the 2022 Virginia Junior Academy of Science (VJAS) Research Symposium. Eleven PWCS students between both the middle and high school level placed or received a special award.

Congratulations to the PWCS students who placed in the competition.

Middle School

  • Human Behavior
    • First place: Sajeela Ahmad, Benton Middle School
  • Plant Science and Microbiology
    • Honorable Mention: Sara Moussavi, Benton Middle School

High School

  • Zoology
    • First place: Rania Lateef, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School
  • Medicine and Health
    • Second Place: Arman Lateef, Tony Bright, and Gabriel Ralston Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and Governor's School @ Innovation Park
  • Physics and Astronomy
    • Third Place: Kalea Wen, Patriot High School and Governor's School @ Innovation Park
  • Environmental & Earth Science
    • Honorable Mention: Jennine Faruque, Nawah Ahmad, and Sejal Sharma, Governor's School @ Innovation Park

Congratulations to the PWCS students who won special awards.

Virginia Association of Biology Educators (VABE) Zoology Award - This award is presented by the Virginia Association of Biology Educators and is given for outstanding research in the Zoology section.

  • Rania Lateef, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School

Gamma Sigma Delta Award - Virginia Tech Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture. Given to a student in recognition of excellence in research dealing with the application of new technologies and/or concepts in agriculture, forestry, or veterinary medicine.

  • Naman Agarwal, Patriot High School and Governor's School @ Innovation Park

In addition, Arman Lateef, student at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and the Governor's School @ Innovation Park, was selected as co-President of VJAS for the 2022-23 year. Rania Lateef, student at Colgan High School, was also selected as co-Editor-in-Chief of VJAS Voice, the organization's student publication.

VJAS is a national model for the new and renewing state junior academies and has been ranked among the top three in the nation for over two decades. Through VJAS and other programs, the Virginia Academy of Science annually reaches over 40,000 Virginia middle and high school students. Hundreds of volunteers make it possible for Virginia secondary students to experience these activities.