The Region VII Science and Engineering Fair took place at Louisiana State University (LSU) on March 12 and 13, 2024, showcasing the innovative research of middle and high school students. This annual event, held in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom, featured participants from East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Pointe Coupee, Iberville, and Ascension parishes.
Students exhibited their projects across 22 categories, including animal sciences and robotics. Middle school students presented their work on Tuesday, while high school students showcased their research on Wednesday. Faculty and graduate students from LSU were responsible for judging the projects, ensuring a rigorous evaluation process.
Lisa Verma, senior director for professional development and community programs at LSU, highlighted the pathway students take to reach the regional fair. Local schools conduct their own fairs, and winners advance to the regional competition. Those who secure first or second place in each category at the regional level earn the opportunity to compete at the state fair. LSU has hosted these fairs, including the Region VII and state competitions, since the 1950s, affiliated with LSU’s Society for Science.
At this year’s Region VII fair, three high school students received bids to participate in the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair, set to take place in Arizona in May 2024. The state fair can send up to seven students to the international event, although middle school students have a separate competition called the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.
In the middle school division, Vanathi Vijaikrishnah secured first place, with Ananya Baisakh following closely in second. Both students are from Glasgow Middle School. In the high school division, Berklee Zanders, a sophomore at Baton Rouge Magnet High School, achieved overall first place and earned a bid for the international fair. Sofia Zhu, a senior at Baton Rouge Magnet High, took second place and also received a bid.
Zhu’s project utilized transformers to predict heat waves, a subject particularly relevant to Baton Rouge’s climate. “I centered the project around Baton Rouge because it gets really hot here,” Zhu explained. “It’s also very detrimental to vulnerable populations, so I thought having a predictive model would help with that issue.”
Several students also explored social science data in their presentations. Brinkley Bennett, a senior at St. Joseph’s Academy, analyzed the current political climate in the United States. Her project utilized microdata from approximately 6,500 responses to forecast outcomes for midterm elections. “By mapping out different political climates, especially in swing states and Louisiana, I am able to provide insights into the upcoming elections,” Bennett noted. She received a bid for the international fair and plans to attend LSU and join the Ogden Honors College in the fall.
Looking ahead, LSU will host the Louisiana State Science and Engineering Fair from April 7-9, 2024. Bennett expressed enthusiasm for this upcoming competition, having previously placed first at the state level in the technology enhances the arts category. “I’m excited to bring back a new aspect of my project,” she said. “Last year, it was just Louisiana-focused, but now I’m able to put it on a much larger scale.”
This year’s Region VII Science and Engineering Fair not only highlighted student ingenuity but also paved the way for future opportunities in science and technology for young minds in Louisiana.
