The Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center buzzed with excitement as young scientists and engineers from across the region showcased their projects at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 16. The fair, a culmination of months of hard work and dedication, offered a platform for students to present their innovative research and discoveries.
Among the standout projects were the following five grand prize winners, each addressing pressing issues with creativity and scientific rigor.
- Animal Sciences: “Rhythms and Blues: Examining Potential Health Hazards of Blue Light-Induced Circadian Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster” by Rania Lateef, a junior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and The Governor's School @ Innovation Park.
- Computer Science: “BrainStorm: Reconstructing Natural Vision from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging using Generative Models and Diffusion Priors” by Yashvir Sabharwal, a junior at Battlefield High School.
- Engineering: “Impact of Toroidal Propeller Design on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Acoustic Signature and Aerodynamic Performance” by Hannah Jansen, a junior at Patriot High School and The Governor's School @ Innovation Park.
- Medicine and Health: “Analyzing the Implications of Endocrine Disruptors on the Ovulatory Function of Caenorhabditis elegans” by Lyla Browne, a senior at The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, Fayza Mehrin, a senior at Osbourn Park High School and The Governor's School @ Innovation Park, and Layla Moussavi, a senior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and The Governor's School @ Innovation Park.
- Robotics and Intelligent Design: “A Novel Application of TensorFlow (Tflite) for Crash Detection” by Burak Ayyorgun, a junior at Battlefield High School.
Students who submitted projects for the science fair shared their insights into the scientific process. Deen, a seventh-grade student from Benton Middle School, whose project examined the effect of microplastics on butterflies and caterpillars, emphasized the importance of repetition and attention to detail. "There's no one explanation for one experiment because you can make one change that changes everything," Deen noted.
Shifa, a 12th student from Gainesville High School and The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, highlighted the meticulous nature of scientific inquiry. "What I learned is how intricate you have to be. How meticulous you have to be about what you're doing," Shifa remarked. "If this is going to be a viable thing in the scientific world, you need to make sure that all of your aspects are well done and fully thought out."
Dr. Julia Renberg, supervisor of science and director of the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair, emphasized the significance of events like these in fostering a STEM culture. "Science and engineering fairs not only encourage students to participate and present their research but also contribute to a growing number of PWCS students pursuing STEM careers," Dr. Renberg stated.
The Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair not only celebrates the achievements of young scientists and engineers but also underscores the vital role of scientific inquiry in addressing contemporary challenges and shaping the future. As these bright minds continue to innovate and explore, their contributions promise to propel society forward into new realms of discovery and understanding.
The division will also sponsor first and second place finalists from the senior division to compete in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair in April.
A full list of winners is posted on the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair webpage.