‘Local Science and Engineering Fair Highlights Creative Youth’

The Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center was abuzz with excitement as young scientists and engineers from the region came together to showcase their projects at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 16. This fair, which was the result of months of hard work and dedication, provided a platform for students to present their innovative research and discoveries.

Five grand prize winners stood out with their projects, each addressing important issues with creativity and scientific rigor. Rania Lateef, a junior at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School and The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, presented a project on Animal Sciences titled “Rhythms and Blues: Examining Potential Health Hazards of Blue Light-Induced Circadian Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster.” Yashvir Sabharwal, a junior at Battlefield High School, won in the Computer Science category with their project “BrainStorm: Reconstructing Natural Vision from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging using Generative Models and Diffusion Priors.” In the Engineering category, Hannah Jansen, a junior at Patriot High School and The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park, impressed with their project on the impact of Toroidal Propeller Design on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Acoustic Signature and Aerodynamic Performance. The team of Lyla Browne, Fayza Mehrin, and Layla Moussavi, seniors from various schools, won in the Medicine and Health category with their project “Analyzing the Implications of Endocrine Disruptors on the Ovulatory Function of Caenorhabditis elegans.” Lastly, Burak Ayyorgun, a junior at Battlefield High School, won in the Robotics and Intelligent Design category with their project “A Novel Application of TensorFlow (Tflite) for Crash Detection.”

Students who participated in the science fair shared their insights into the scientific process. Deen, a seventh-grade student from Benton Middle School, emphasized the importance of repetition and attention to detail in experiments. Shifa, a 12th-grade student from Gainesville High School, highlighted the meticulous nature of scientific inquiry and stressed the importance of thoroughness in research.

Dr. Julia Renberg, supervisor of science and director of the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair, emphasized the impact of such events in fostering a STEM culture and encouraging students to pursue STEM careers.

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. These budding innovators promise to propel society forward into new realms of discovery and understanding.

Furthermore, the division will sponsor first and second place finalists from the senior division to compete in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair in April.

For a full list of winners, visit the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair webpage.