Northern Virginia Regional Science and Engineering Fair Winners Named

Over the past few weeks, young scientists from the area had a chance to showcase their projects in the Northern Virginia Regional Science and Engineering Fair. For the first time in 65 years, the competition was conducted virtually. Scientists and engineers representing 11 subject categories, as well as numerous organizations and societies, reviewed the students’ presentation videos, PowerPoints, research and abstract papers. This year’s winners, which include students from APS middle and high schools, were announced on April 10.

The following are the first-place awardees, who will also compete in the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair (VSSEF). This year’s VSSEF competition, originally slated to be held in Roanoke, Virginia, will also be conducted virtually.

Behavioral and Social Sciences- 1st Place
Kate Loftis- Yorktown

Biochemistry- 1st Place
Rose von Eckartsberg- Yorktown 

Chemistry- 1st Place
Anne Licato- Washington-Liberty 

Engineering– 1st Place
Colin Sartori- Yorktown 

Environmental and Earth Sciences- 1st Place
Madi Goeke- Washington-Liberty
Isla Carlson and Kathleen Vaughan- Wakefield
James Licato- Washington-Liberty 

Mathematics and Computer Science- 1st Place
Colin Berry- Yorktown
Mahia Rahman- Washington-Liberty 

Microbiology- 1st Place
Anika Tripathi- Washington-Liberty
Alexandra McDonald- Yorktown 

Physics and Astronomy- 1st Place
Angelica Bain- Washington-Liberty
Dillon Bass- Yorktown

2020 Broadcom MASTERS Nominees – Broadcom MASTERS is a national, Math, Science, Engineering, and Technology competition for students in Grades 6-8. (Sponsored by Science for Society and the Public, students will compete online against other students from across the U.S.)

• Haley Baasansukh- Swanson
• Eyuel Berhanu- Jefferson
• Avery DeMots- Dorothy Hamm
• Zachary Kumar- Williamsburg
• David Galotto & Naomi Galotto- H-B Woodlawn
• Emma-Leigh Haffey- Gunston
• Sara Martah- Dorothy Hamm
• Sameen Hossain- Swanson
• Samantha Stewart- Jefferson
• Nicola Beaumont- H-B Woodlawn
• Grant Buckley- Williamsburg
• Maya Kaminski- Kenmore
• Cyrus Beauvais- Gunston
• Caroline Fern- Kenmore

Grand Prize Awardee
Alexandra McDonald- Yorktown; Optimization of Microbial Fuel Cell Technology to Maximize Power and Nitrate Removal

Grand Prize Alternate Awardee
James Licato- Washington-Liberty; Developing a Method for Simultaneous Removal of Pharmaceuticals and PFAS in Water Treatment

For a complete list of the Category and Society Organization winners, visit the following link: https://aps2016.apsva.us/science/regional-science-fair/