UTC

Dozens of students from across the Chattanooga region gathered on Monday, March 9, at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Challenger STEM Learning Center to present their research projects to a panel of judges.

The Chattanooga Regional Science and Engineering Fair has been around for 74 years and attracts middle and high school students to showcase their projects and compete for a chance to move on to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, taking place this year from May 9-15 in Phoenix.

The projects displayed at the Chattanooga event ranged from artificial intelligence and animal prosthetics to bacteria detection, highlighting creativity and hard work.

Dr. Stephanie Philipp, the interim director of the STEM Education program at UTC, and an associate professor in the School of Education, noted the fair’s long history, emphasizing the growing involvement of public school students in addition to those from private schools.

She mentioned that some student researchers seek guidance from UTC staff or scientists to enhance their projects.

Philipp highlighted the communication and problem-solving skills students develop through the research process, noting that even if students don’t pursue careers in science or engineering, the experience teaches them persistence and project completion.

Projects like Veera Pathak’s exploration of how altered images impact memory and Haley Patel’s and Kenley Petrosino’s sustainable animal prosthetics demonstrated the students’ dedication to making a difference. Ivan Zheng’s bacteria detection system and James McCorkle’s tumor suppressor gene research also impressed the judges.

Joshua Kim from McCallie School and James McCorkle from Baylor School were the two winners who will advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair with their exceptional projects.

Kim’s project focused on optimizing dendrimersome nanoparticles for enhanced mRNA transfection, while McCorkle’s research delved into the expression of collagen-19 in C. elegans development to expand the let-7 microRNA genetic interactome.

The event not only fosters STEM talent but also promotes diversity and collaboration among students, with a growing number of females participating in various fields of science and engineering.

The winners were announced on Tuesday, March 10, at the Challenger Center, with special awards presented by organizations like the American Chemical Society and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

Kim expressed gratitude for the recognition, marking his second time advancing to the international competition, while McCorkle looks forward to networking opportunities and further research as he prepares for the global stage.

Overall, the Science and Engineering Fair provides valuable lessons in perseverance, innovation, and the real-world application of science and engineering principles, shaping the future careers of the participating students.