LSU Hosts Region VII Science and Engineering Fair Showcasing Young Innovators

Louisiana State University (LSU) hosted the Region VII Science and Engineering Fair on March 5 and 6, 2024, in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom. This annual event brought together middle and high school students from multiple parishes, including East Baton Rouge and Ascension, to present their innovative research projects across 22 categories. The fair serves as a platform for young scientists and engineers to showcase their work and compete for advancement to the state level.

Participants in the middle school division presented their projects on March 5, while high school students showcased their work the following day. Lisa Verma, senior director for professional development and community programs at LSU, described the fair as a culmination of school-wide competitions within each participating middle and high school. Winners from these local fairs advance to the regional level, and those who place first or second at the Region VII fair can move on to the state fair.

LSU has a long-standing tradition of hosting this event, having been involved with the Region VII and state fairs since the 1950s. The fairs are affiliated with LSU’s Society for Science, which aims to promote scientific inquiry among students.

Three high school students earned bids to the upcoming International Science and Engineering Fair, scheduled to take place in Arizona in May 2024. At the state fair, which will occur from April 7-9, up to seven students can qualify for the international competition. Middle school students, on the other hand, participate in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, rather than an international fair.

In the middle school division, Vanathi Vijaikrishnah claimed first place, while Ananya Baisakh secured second, both representing Glasgow Middle School. The high school division saw strong competition, with Berklee Zanders, a sophomore from Baton Rouge Magnet High School, winning first place overall and receiving a bid to the international fair. Sofia Zhu, a senior at the same school, took second place and also earned an invitation.

Zhu’s project focused on using transformers to predict heat waves, particularly relevant for Baton Rouge’s climate. “I centered the project around Baton Rouge because it gets really hot here,” Zhu stated. “It’s also very detrimental to vulnerable populations, so I thought having a predictive model would help with that issue.”

Several projects included elements of social science. Brinkley Bennett, a senior at St. Joseph’s Academy, analyzed the current political climate in the United States, using microdata to forecast outcomes for midterm elections. “By taking about 6,500 responses from different people across the country, I’m able to map out different political climates in swing states especially, but also in Louisiana,” Bennett explained. Her findings earned her second place in the technology enhances the arts category, along with a bid to the international fair.

Bennett, who has experience working in her local mayor’s office and with state representatives, expressed excitement about competing in the upcoming state fair. “I placed first at state in technology enhances the arts last year, so I’m really excited to bring back a new aspect of my project,” she shared. “Last year, it was just Louisiana-focused, but now I’m able to put it on a much larger scale.”

The Region VII Science and Engineering Fair highlights the innovative spirit of young scholars in Louisiana and underscores the importance of fostering scientific curiosity among the next generation. LSU’s commitment to these events continues to inspire students to explore and expand their understanding of science and technology.