STEM Academy Research Club: PJAS Regional Fair Results

Submitted by Mr. J. Nick Dimino, Club Advisor

On Saturday, March 1, the members of the STEM Academy Research Club attended the Pennsyvania Junior Academy of Science Regional Fair at E.T.Richardson Middle School. We are happy to report that all 14 STEM Academy students in attendance made it through the regional competition and will be advancing to the state competition held at Penn State Main Campus May 18-20, 2025. We wish them all the best at the next level. Below are some special notes from this past weekend.

• Two students achieved perfect scores on their projects:
  • Rithik Kamtam: Insulin Resistance: Impact on Drosophila Behavior & Activity
  • Harivighnesh Nagaraj: Improving Cargo Plane Takeoffs with Rocket-Assisted Systems
• Three students won special awards with cash prizes:
  • Humanitarian Scientist Award : The student performed a study to enhance and promote the dignity and stewardship of humanity or the environment through their research. The project contains precise real-world applications for improving social, economic, or environmental conditions
    • Rithik Kamtam
    • Ayaan Naik
• Exceptional Analysis Award - The student went above and beyond in the analysis area of the project and drew sound conclusions from the data gathered (e.g., presenting and explaining more than a set of averages). The student can rationally explain any errors or outliers in the data. The student speaks extensively about the experiment's results and explains any crucial implications of the findings.
  • Harivighnesh Nagaraj