DC Students Compete at National Science and Engineering Fair

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The top-three students in this year’s DC STEM Fair compete in the world’s largest pre-college science competition.
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Carnegie Administration

Washington, DC— The top-three students in this year’s DC STEM Fair are currently in Pittsburgh competing at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the world’s largest pre-college science competition, organized by the Society for Science & the Public.

Approximately 1,700 high school students from over 75 countries, regions, and territories participate in the fair, where they showcase their independent research and compete for approximately $4 million in prizes. Their work is reviewed and judged by Ph.D.-level scientists.

The district’s first-, second-, and third-place Senior Division Grand Award winners are representing DC at the national competition. They are: Rebecca Edmonds, who undertook an analysis of National Park Service wetland restoration projects at the Kenilworth Marsh and Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary; Molly Weiner, who performed a meta-analysis of research on dyslexia and handedness; and Abia Khan who studied biomarkers of viral respiratory illness in children.

All three are seniors at School Without Walls and were guided by their teacher Sydney Bergman, as well as by mentors from the DC scientific community.

“We are so proud of the three finalists and the exemplary work they have accomplished,” said Carnegie President Matthew Scott. “The combination of their classroom learning, their independent initiative, and their relationship-building with professional mentors embodies the full range of goals for STEM education in the nation’s capital.”

More than 600 individual and team awards will be presented, including financial awards, scholarships, summer internships, field trips, and laboratory equipment. Special Category award winners will be announced on tonight and Grand Award winners will be announced on Friday.