2024 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.

Behavioral Health

Generational Trauma in Relation to Mental Health in Southern Appalachia

Noah Deyton & Mary Weems from North Greene High School, Teacher: Olivia Kuper

Biochemistry

Analyzing & Comparing Biogeochemical Dynamics in a Deciduous Watershed in Response to Climate Change

Josh Martinez from L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz

Chemistry
Optimization of Oceanic Lithium Mining: A Quantification of Extraction Methods

Sophia Havrylyak & Margaret Feng from Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

Computer Science

Iterative Misclassification Error Training (IMET): An Optimized Neural Network Training Technique for Medical Image Classification

Ruhaan Singh from Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

Frontier-Based Approach Utilizing the RRT Algorithm for Autonomous Exploration of Unknown Environments

Adithya Sastry from Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

Earth Science

Predicting Human Vulnerability: Quantifying Socioeconomic Wildfire Risk using Multi-Member Machine Learning-Based Projections

Matthew Wang & Sophie Lu from Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

Engineering: Electrical or Mechanical

Design, Development, and Testing of a Kevlar Window Cover

Aron Gornowich & Grayson Bishop from L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan

Schultz

Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering

Using Data Visualization to Optimize Resources in Additive Manufacturing

Sophie Sluss & Randy Moore from Oak Ridge High School, Teacher: Jessica Williams

Environmental Science

How Does Soil Affect Plant Growth?

Alana McNulty & Natileigh McNulty from Career Magnet High School, Teacher: Cindy Brown

Mathematics

Boundary/Volume Analysis for Graded Materials

Justin Krogel from Oak Ridge High School, Teacher: Jessica Williams

Medical Sciences

Why do Glp1 antagonist such as Ozempic cause cases of gastroparesis?

Aniston Acosta from Career Magnet High School, Teacher: Cindy Brown

Microbiology

Antibacterial Properties of Cooking Oils

Bethanie Bryant from Greeneville High School, Teacher: Cynthia Propst

Plant Science

Future, freedom, and farming: Comparing red, white and blue lighting on Brassica oleracea, Lactuca Sativa, and Raphanus sativus microgreens

Michael Fox from North Greene High School, Teacher: Oliva Kuper

Robotics and Intelligent Systems

Structure Predictor: A Machine Learning Algorithm to Reliably Fit Thin Film Neutron Reflectivity Curves

Daniel Vogt & Imelia Markus-Brock from Oak Ridge High School, Teacher: Jessica Williams

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

Drew Daniels from Career Magnet Academy
Brian Qu & Gabriel Weber from Oak Ridge High School
Brooklyn Bowman from Powell High School
Hafsa Lachheb from Annoor Academy
Josie Bales & Ru Syuan Cheng from Career Magnet Academy
Addison Preston from L&N STEM Academy
James Nguyen & Jared Li from Farragut High School
Derek Diaz & Benjamin Cho from Farragut High School
Hannah Brown from Powell High School
My Tien Vo from Youth Outreach in STEM
Karina Juarez from North Greene High School
Isabella Finchum from Career Magnet Academy
Zion Mitchell & Tyler Catledge from Career Magnet Academy
Bethany Atkins from Career Magnet Academy
Leyton Preston from L&N STEM Academy
Sophia Chen from Farragut High School
Samirah Farmer & Esperanza Espinal from Career Magnet Academy
Sarah Belprez-Goldsberry  from L&N STEM Academy

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 

Diving into Brain Waves?

Caroline Coates from Maury Middle School, Lisa Walker, teacher

Chemistry Category

The Science of Slime

Harper Kelly from Lakeway Christian Academy, Kasey Harkness, teacher

Jiggly Cows: A Bioplastics Experiment

Abby Moazen from Hardin Valley Middle School, Andrea Souza, teacher

Computer Science Category

A Comparative Analysis of Health Insurance Plans for Tennessee State Employees

Elena Wu from Farragut Middle Home School, Dan Wang, teacher 

Earth Science Category 

It sure is hot in here

Ali Lachheb from Annoor Academy of Knoxville, Anna Edwards, teacher

Engineering: Electrical and Mechanical Category 

How can I Prevent Basement Flooding

Peter Hatzigeorgio & Elijah Quillin from Gibbs Middle School, Elizabeth TeGantvoort, teacher

Environmental Management Category

Limiting Lunchroom Loudness

Kristen Moor from Christian Academy of Knoxville, Sandra Welshan, teacher

Energy and Transportation Category 

How to Keep Your Cool? Choosing the Perfect House Paint Color

Pietro Letizia from St. John Neumann Catholic School, Jennifer Amori, teacher

Environmental Science Category 

Making It Clear

Molly Kalafsky from Sacred Heart Cathedral School, Marti Boder, teacher

Medical and Health Science Category 

Ouch!!

Ansley Ball from Lakeway Christian Academy, Kasey Harkness, teacher

Physics Category 

How temperature and altitude affect the distance a golf ball will travel

Addisyn Newman from Lakeway Christian Academy, Kasey Harkness, teacher

Plant Sciences Category 

Which Type of Water is Best for Plant Growth?

Thomas Basile & Mason Phan from St. John Neumann Catholic School, Jennifer Amori, teacher

Robotics Category 

Need a Hand?

Adam Mourad from Annoor Academy, Anna Edwards, teacher

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

Brooklyn Bales from Jefferson Middle School
Katy Lee from Jefferson Middle School
Dominic Radish from St. John Neumann Catholic School
Leilani Cooper from St. Mary’s
Sadeer Kado from Annoor Academy
Grant Fariss from Gibbs Middle School
Holden Sharp from St. Joseph School
Emilynn Holtz from Maury Middle School
Betty Johnson from St. Mary’s
Phinley Halcrow from St. Mary’s
Audrey Pedigo from Lakeway Christian Academy
Talya Hwayyiz from Annoor Academy
Zia Toor from Annoor Academy
James Lutz from St. Mary’s
Ainsley Smith from Rush Strong Elementry School
Paisley Russell from Maury Middle School
Eirinn O’Neil from Maury Middle School
Ava Fair & Braylie Lakin from Lakeway Christian Academy
Madeline Talley from St. John Neumann Catholic School
Sara Cate Roder & Alex Drisgula from Gibbs Middle School
Cruz Willard & Ethan Atchley from Gibbs Middle School
Emma Brosnan from St. Joseph School
Caydence Gonzales from Sacred Heart Cathedral School
Ramsey Weems from Lakeway Christian Academy
Carter Dickerson from Lakeway Christian Academy
Joshua Paredes from St. Mary’s
James Hill from Hardin Valley Middle School
Elisabeth Greeson from St. Mary’s
Muhedin Hashani from Annoor Academy
Gabriel Hadid from St. Mary’s

American Psychological Association

The American Psychological Association Education Directorate is pleased to award one certificate recognizing outstanding research in psychological science under the category of behavioral and social sciences or any category related to psychology (e.g., animal sciences, biomedical and health sciences, translational medical science). This year’s recipients are Mary Weems and Noah Deyton from North Greene High School, teacher Olivia Kuper.

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 the geosciences, illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of the geosciences, or promote the sensitivity to the earth as a global system.  This year’s winner is My Tien Vo, Youth Outreach in STEM, Teacher: Dana Schumpert.

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, Annoor Academy, 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 Matthew Wang & Sophie Lu, Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan.

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 My Tien Vo, Youth Outreach in STEM, Teacher: Dana Schumpert.

Office of Naval Research

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

Talya Hwayyiz, Annor Academy, Teacher: Anna Edwards.

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:

Brookyln Bowman, Powell High School, Teacher: Beth Mooney

My Tien Vo, Youth Outreach in STEM, Teacher: Dana Schumpert

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 Isabella Finchum, Career Magnet Academy, Teacher: Cindy Brown.

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 for $375. The winner is: Sophia Chen, Farragut High School, Teacher; Matthew Milligan.

Society for in vitro Biology

The society for in vitro Biology provides an award for a project showing excellence in 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: Michael Fox,  North Greene High School, Teacher: Olivia Kuper.

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 Sophia Havrylyak & Margaret Feng, 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 Josh Martinez, L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz.

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: 

Sophia Chen, Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan

Matthew Wang & Sophie Lu, Farragut High School, Teacher: Matthew Milligan.

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. This prize is highly time sensitive and was provided at the fair itself so we ask the winners to stand so we can all recognize them. 

Josh Martinez, L&N STEM Academy, Teacher: Bryan Schultz

Derek Diaz & Benjamin Cho, Farragut High School, Matthew Milligan.

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  Alexander Yan, 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 Sadeer Kado, Annoor Academy, Teacher Anna Edwards.

The winners from the Senior Division winner are  Sophia Havrylyak and Margaret Feng, Farragut High School, Teacher Matthew Milligan.

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. 

The winner from the Senior Division is Kambrie Hager, Career Magnet, Teacher Cindy Brown.

The winner from the Junior Division is Dominic Radish, St. John Neumann Catholic School, Teacher, Jennifer Amonir.

Biology Teacher Award

Anonymous donors provide an award for excellence in life science research.  The winner of the $100 cash prize and certificate is Caroline Coates, Maury Middle School, Lisa Walker, Teacher.  

 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, Annoor Academy, Teacher Anna Edwards. The Senior Division winner is Ruhaan Singh, Farragut High School, Mathew Milligan,Teacher. 

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 James Nguyen & Jared Li, Farragut High School.  The teacher is Matthew  Milligan.

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. This is an award of $500.  The winner is Adithya Sastry, Farragut High School, Matthew Milligam, Teacher.  

SASEF Awards 

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

1.   Heaven Daies, Kashar Odom, & Oona Morris, Youth Outreach in STEM, Dana Schumpert, Teacher.
2.   Abby Moazen, Hardin Valley Middle School, Andrea Souza, Teacher.
3. Carter Dickerson, Lakeway Christian Academy, Kasey Harkness, Teacher. 
4. Talya Hwayyiz, Annor Academy, Anna Edwards, Teacher.

SeER Teacher Awards – The Science Education Research Foundation is proud to present awards to two projects in the Junior Division.  Winning projects are selected for creative investigation, personally meaningful learning, and engaged project leadership and execution. Winners will be recognized with certificates of achievement and the teacher sponsor of each winning project will additionally receive a $100 cash prize to recognize contributions to their students’ research.

Junior Division winners are:

1. Lisa Walker, teacher of Celeste Gallo, Maury Middle School.
2.  Dana Schumpert, Teacher of Heaven Daies, Kashar Odom, & Oona Morris, 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: 

    1. Zia Toor, Annoor Academy, Anna Edwards, Teacher

2. Talya Hwayyiz, Annoor Academy, Anna Edwards, Teacher

Senior Division:

1.Brooklyn Bowman, Powell High School, Beth Mooney, Teacher

 Strata-G

Strata G presents a $1000  scholarship award to an outstanding senior division project related to environmental stewardship and sustainability. This award goes to James Nguyen & Jared Li, Farragut High School.  The teacher is Matthew Milligan.

Tau Beta Pi

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

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

Senior Division: Aron Gornowih & Grayson Bishop. L&N STEM Academy, Brian Schultz, Teacher. 

Tennessee Academy of Sciences

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

Biology Award:  Josh Martinez, L&N STEM Academy,  Brian Schultz, Teacher. 

Medicine, and Health Award:  Ruhaan Singh, Farragut High School, Matthew Milligan, Teacher. 

Physical Science Award:  Dominic Radish. St John Neumann Catholic School, Jennifer Amonir Teacher.

Tennessee Science Teachers Association

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

Phinley Halcrow,  St. Mary’s School, Sr. Gloria Christi Bereit, Teacher

LDA Certificate of Excellence in Water Science 

This is a new award that recognizes excellence in water research by students in the junior division and is presented by LDA Engineering. This year’s award goes to:

Molly Kalafsky, Sacred Heart Cathedral School, Teacher: Marti Boder