2023 Award Winners

In the senior division, the Certificate of Excellence Award is given to those students whose project was determined by the judges to be of exceptional merit and deserving of higher honors. Each Certificate of Excellence winner will receive at least $50.

Animal Sciences Category

Hissing Cockroach Behavioral study

By: Leslie Hayes from North Greene High School (Olivia Kuper)

Behavioral Sciences Category 

How did Covid-19 affect the mental capability of a teenager?

By: Thomas Bales from North Greene High School (Olivia Kuper)

Chemistry Category 

On Nuclear Radiation: Historical Perspective, Theoretical Investigation, and an Experimentation of Nuclear Technology

By: Hunter Bales from Career Magnet Academy (Cindy Brown)

Earth and Planetary Science Category 

Analysis and Characterization of Soil-Derived Microplastics at Varying Depths

By: Avery Hood from L&N STEM Academy (Bryan Schultz)

Engineering: Electrical & Mechanical Category

Statistical Correlation Study of Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and Load in the ERCOT System

By: Justin Li from Farragut High School (William Reynolds)

Environmental Management Category 

Urban Development in West Knox County, TN and its Effect on Stormwater Runoff: A Case Study of the Intersection of Kingston Pike and Cedar Bluff

By: Rebecca Bradford from L&n Stem Academy (Bryan Schultz)

Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering Category

Affordable Housing – Reloaded

By: Maddie DuPont from Saint Benedict Rhetoric (Edwin DuPont)

Energy and Transportation Category 

Solubility of Noble Gases in Molten Salts

By: Roxanne Farahi from Oak Ridge High School (Jessica Williams)

Environmental Sciences Category 

Development of Innovative Microplastic-Specific Antibodies

By: Michelle Lin from Farragut High School (Lauren George-Smith)

Understanding the Spatiotemporal Variability of Wildfire Occurrences across the United States

By: Ruhaan Singh from Farragut High School (Matthew Milligan)

Medicine and Health Sciences Category

Did Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Diagnosed During The First Four Months Of The COVID Pandemic Have More Advanced Disease And Worse Outcomes Compared To Patients Diagnosed In A Matched pre-COVID Period? 

By: Ian Anderson, Anderson Homeschool (Nicholas Anderson)

Microbiology Category

Analysis of Biofilms on Microplastics Sampled from Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent

By: Duncan Arnold from L&n Stem Academy (Bryan Schultz)

Physics and Astronomy Category 

Will it Exoplanet?

By: Zoey Potter & Noah Deyton from North Greene High School (Olivia Kuper)

Plant Science Category 

Hydrogen Peroxide’s Effect on Germinating Phaseolus vulgaris Seeds

By: Hayden Giffin from Heritage High School (Chelsie Sells)

The distinction of honorable mention is awarded to students whose projects were determined to be of exceptional merit.

Karrie An from Farragut High School

August Morrill and Joseph Blair of Oak Ridge High School

Kim Ha & Marius Jardret from Powell High School

Bronwen Hall from Heritage High School

Benjamin Cho from Farragut High School

Boyu Tan from Farragut High School

The Certificate of Excellence Award is given to those students whose project was determined by the judges to be of exceptional merit and deserving of higher honors. Each Certificate of Excellence winner will receive at least $50.

Behavioral Science Category 

What’s in a Name?

By: Abigail Robinson and Julie Scott from Lakeway Christian Academy (Kasey Harkness)

Do names change your taste?

By: Evian Waltke from Maury Middle School (Lisa Walker)

Chemistry Category 

The Finest Cheesecake

By: Izzy Bodle, St. Mary’s School (Denise Miller)

Computer Science Category

Solar Panel: Is it For You?

By: Gabriel Hadid from St. Mary’s School (Denise Miller)

Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical Category 

Time to Wake Up!

By: Adam Mourad from Annoor Academy of Knoxville (Anna Edwards)

Environmental Management Category

AI Recycling Assistant

By: Kristen Moor from Christian Academy of Knoxville (Sandra Welshan)

Engineering: Materials and Bioengineering Category 

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

By: Ella Smith, Rush Strong School (Lisa Walker)

Prosthetic Leg

By: Arnel Denic from Annoor Academy of Knoxville (Anna Edwards)

Energy and Transportation Category 

Magnetic Power

By: Audrina Lackey from Maury Middle School (Lisa Walker)

Mathematical Sciences Category 

Fibonacci Sequence in Nature

By: Kathryn Charles, Rush Strong School (Lisa Walker)

Medical and Health Science Category 

Balancing Blood Sugar

By: Isabella Ramirez from St. John Neumann Catholic School (Diana Brach)

Microbiology Category 

The Scoby Project

By: Ella Joy Vauters from Lakeway Christian Academy (Kasey Harkness)

Spice It Up!

By: Mary Zengel from St. Joseph School (Adrianna Elzinga)

Physics Category 

The Temperature Battle

By: Zach Foshie from Lakeway Christian Academy (Kasey Harkness)

Plant Sciences Category 

What’s Up With the Soil?

By: Caroline Coates from Maury Middle School (Lisa Walker)

At SASEF, we award the distinction of honorable mention to those students whose projects were determined by the judges to be of exceptional merit.

Kaylin Hartsock from Jefferson Middle School
Teagan Walker and Claudia Schaad from Saint Josephs School
Anna Starnes from Saint Josephs School
Carrie Franklin from Lakeway Christian Academy
Muhedin Hashani from Annoor Academy of Knoxville
Xander Noyes from Maury Middle School
Morgan Snyder from St. Marys School
Madly Hillman from Saint Mary’s School
Emma Chou from St. John Neumann Catholic School
Drake Veosmith from Gibbs Middle School
Sadeer Kado from Annoor Academy of Knoxville
Celeste Gallo from St. Marys School
Kimberly Jones from Rush Strong School
Maddox Williams and John Thomas Kirkpatrick from Lakeway Christian Academy
Heaven Daies and KaShar Odom from Youth Outreach in Science Technology Engineering and Math
Abigail Navarro and Jayley Lockwood from Pittman Center Elementary
Rhett DuPont from Saint Benedict Rhetoric
James Hill from Hardin Valley Middle School
Rasool Alkhateeb from Annoor Academy
Rhealee Haunhorst and Emery Aalders from Saint Joseph School

Association for Women Geoscientists

The Association for Women Geoscientists provides a Certificate to students whose projects exemplify high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences. Special consideration is given to projects that increase the public awareness of geosciences, illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of the geosciences, or promote the sensitivity to the earth as a global system.  This year’s winner is Avery Hood, L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz 

Lemelson Early Inventor Prize

The Lemelson Early Inventor Prize is given to a middle school student who displays entrepreneurial thinking by developing a tangible invention which may improve the lives of others. The certificate and $100 award go to Adam Mourad, Annor Academy, Teacher, Anna Edwards.

NASA Earth Systems Science Award

The NASA award is given to the student with an outstanding project offering the greatest insight into Earth’s interconnected systems.  The winner, receiving this award is Ruhaan Signh, Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

National Geographic Society: That’s Geography – Cultivating Empathy for the Earth Award

This project focuses on issues of oceans, land, wildlife, human history and ingenuity, looking at geographic concepts in new and non-traditional ways. The winner, receiving a Certificate is Benjamin Cho, Farragut High School, Teacher: Lauren George-Smith

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

NOAA’s Taking the Pulse of the Planet award is given to the student whose project best emphasizes NOAA’s Science, Service, and Stewardship mission. This year’s winner, receiving a certificate is Ruhan Signh, Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

Office of Naval Research

The Office of Naval Research sponsors Junior Division awards for excellence in Science or Engineering.  The winners, receiving a certificate and medallion, are:

Ella Smith, Rush Strong, Teacher: Lisa Walker

Kristen Moor: Christian Academy of Knoxville, Teacher: Sandra  Welshan 

The Office of Naval Research also sponsors two Senior Division prizes for excellence in Science or Engineering which includes a medallion and gift card.  The winners are:

Roxanne Farahi, Oak Ridge High School, Teacher: Jessica Williams

Benjamin Cho, Farragut High School, Teacher: Lauren George-Smith

Ricoh Sustainable Development Award

This award recognizes the student whose technological and scientific innovations best reflect the principles of sustainability – balancing economic development with environmental responsibility. The winner is Kristen Moor: Christian Academy of Knoxville, Teacher: Sandra Welshan 

Regeneron Biomedical Science Award.

This award recognizes a student or team of students that demonstrates an impressive command of biomedical science and research and also embodies Regeneron’s core values and behaviors, known as The Regeneron Way, which are reflected in the award selection criteria. The prize is $375. The winner is: Ian Anderson, Anderson Home School, Teacher; Nicholas Anderson

Society for In Vitro Biology

The Society for In Vitro Biology provides an award for a project showing excellence In Vitro biology and microbiology. The winner receives a student membership in the Society for In Vitro Biology and free access to their scientific journal. The winner is: Bethanie Bryant,  Greeneville High School, Teacher: Cyntha Propst

USAID Science Champion Award

The US Agency for International Development Award goes to a project that shows outstanding work toward solving a global development challenge. The winner, receiving a Certificate and a Social Media Toolkit for sharing the project is Ruhaan Signh, Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

U.S. Metric Association

The U.S. Metric Association recognizes students, usually in the Senior Division whose project involves quantitative measures and best uses the metric system for those measures.  The winner is Roxanne Farahi, Oak Ridge High School, Teacher: Jessica Williams

U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force recognizes an outstanding project in science, technology, math, engineering or medicine that is of interest to the Air Force. The winners, receiving a certificate, sling pack and portable technology devices are: 

Justin Li, Farragut High School, Teacher: William Reynolds 

Kim Ha, Powell High School, Teacher: Tyler Thompson

Marius Jardret, Powell High School, Teacher: Tyler Thompson

Maddie DuPont, Saint Benedict Rhetoric, Teacher: Edwin DuPont

Stockholm Junior Water Prize

The Water Environment Federation recognizes projects involving water quality, water resource management, water protection, or water and wastewater treatment.  The winners receive a certificate and a chance to compete for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize state competition.  The winners are:

Duncan Arnold, L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz

Avery Hood, L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz

Magdalenna Laudeman, L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz

Freya Cordell, L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz

Rebecca Bradford; L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz
Benjamin Cho, Farragut High School, Teacher: Lauren George-Smith

Yale Science and Engineering Prize

The Yale Science and Engineering prize goes to a Junior in High School with the top project in engineering or the physical sciences.  This year, noted by the judges as a project with excellent knowledge, experiments, results, and presentation, the certificate and medallion go to Michelle Lin, Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

American Chemical Society, East Tennessee Section

The East Tennessee Section of the American Chemical Society presents $50 cash to the best projects in the chemical sciences in either division.  The winner from the Junior Division is Izzy Bodle, St. Mary’s School, Teacher Denise Miller. The winner from the Senior Division is Kim Ha and Marius Jardret, Powell High School, Teacher Tyler Thompson.

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

The Oak Ridge/Knoxville Section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers presents $75 cash awards and certificates to the top project in each division for the applications of chemical engineering principles or practices. 

Junior Division Bradley Flanigan, Gibbs Middle School, Teacher Lynn Berney

And Carrie Franklin, Lakeway Christian Academy, Teacher Kasey Harkness

Senior Division Kim Ha and Marius Jardret, Powell High School, Teacher Tyler Thompson

American Meteorological Society – Smoky Mountain Chapter

The Smoky Mountain Chapter of the American Meteorological Society is proud to present a cash award of $100 each to an outstanding project involving meteorology, climate, or atmospheric or related oceanic science. The winner is Ruhaan Singh of Farragut High School, Teacher Matthew Milligan.

Biology Teacher Award

Anonymous donors provide an award for excellence in life science research.  The winner of the $100 cash prize and certificate is Ella Joy Vauters of Lakeway Academy,  Teacher Kasey Harkness.

 IEEE – East Tennessee Section

The East Tennessee Section of the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers is pleased to award prizes for the best demonstrations of electrical or electronics design or computer science.  $100 cash awards and certificates go to

Junior Division

 Adam Mourad, Anoor Academy, Teacher Anna Edwards

Senior Division

 August Morrill and Joseph Blair of Oak Ridge High School, Teacher Jessica Williams 

Joanne Logan Sustainability Award

Dr. Joanne Logan, who is retired from the University of Tennessee, served in all SASEF offices. The $50 Joanne Logan Sustainability Award honors a student whose project has the sustainability mission at its core. Also, in keeping with Dr. Logan’s passion for teaching, the student’s teacher also receives a $100 prize. 

This award goes to Muhedin Hashani from Annoor Academy of Knoxville for his project Solar City.  The teacher is Anna Edwards.

Oak Ridge National Lab Computer Science Award

We are pleased to announce the award for excellence in computing by one of our largest sponsors of the fair, the Oak Ridge National Lab. There will be two awards of $250.  The winners are:

 August Morrill and Joseph Blair of Oak Ridge High School, Teacher Jessica Williams 

Nicholas Podar and Hudson Reynolds  of Oak Ridge High School, Teacher Jessica Williams 

SASEF Awards 

Southern Appalachian Science and Science and Engineering Fair staff presents $50 cash awards and certificates and to our favorite projects. This year’s award winners are:

Junior Division winners

1. Stephen Matthews (Teacher: Adrianna Elzinga, School: St. Josephs School)
2. Celeste Gallo (Teacher: Denise Miller, School: St. Marys School)
3. Jayley Lockwood and Abigail Navarro (Teacher: Amy Woolum,  School: Pittman Center Elementary).

 Senior Division:

1. Hunter Bales (Teacher: Cindy Brown,  School: Career Magnet Academy).
2. My Tien Vo (Youth Outreach in STEM, Teacher Dana Schumpert)
3. Bethanie Bryant (Greeneville High School, Teacher Cyntha Propst)

SeER Teacher Awards – The Science Education Research Foundation is proud to present two $100 teacher awards, one in the Junior Division and one in the Senior Division, to teachers who inspire and coach their students to make science personally meaningful through engaged learning and creative investigation.  The teachers recognized are:

Junior Division:

Denise Miller, teacher of Celeste Gallo, St. Mary’s School

Senior Division:

Dana Schumpert, teacher of My Tien Vo, Youth Outreach in STEM

 Society for Women Engineers, Smoky Mountain Section

The Society for Women Engineers, Smoky Mountain Section presents three $50 Awards to recognize sound applications of engineering principles.  The winners are

Junior Division: Ella Smith of Rush Strong, Teacher Lisa Walker

Senior Division:

1. Rebecca Bradford, L&N Stem Academy, Teacher Bryan Schultz
2. Maddie Dupont, Saint Benedict Rhetoric, Teacher Edwin Dupont

 Strata-G

Strata G presents a $500 scholarship award to an outstanding senior division project related to environmental stewardship and sustainability. This year’s winner is Bronwen Hall of Heritage High School, Teacher Chelsie Sells.

Tau Beta Pi

The Great Smoky Mountain Alumni Chapter of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society award $100 cash and certificates to outstanding projects in engineering. The winners are

Junior Division:  Adam Mourad, Annoor Academy, Teacher Anna Edwards

Senior Division: Justin Li of Farragut High School, Teacher William Reynolds.

Tennessee Academy of Sciences

The Tennessee Academy of Science presents three awards of $135.00 each.  The awards are:  

Biology Award:  Ian Anderson, Anderson  HomeSchool, Teacher Nicholas  Anderson

Biology, Medicine, and Health Award:  Duncan Arnold, L&N Stem Academy, Bryan Schultz Teacher

Physical Science Award:  Roxanne Farahi, Oak Ridge High School, Teacher Jessica Williams

Tennessee Science Teachers Association

TSTA presents $50 cash awards to projects that exemplify outstanding adherence to the scientific method. This award goes to

Kristen Moor (Teacher: Sandra Welshan School: Christian Academy of Knoxville)