The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts won its ninth consecutive school title in the recent Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair.
Three ASMSA students also qualified as finalists for the 2021 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair based on state science fair results. Chloe Kirk of Eureka Springs, Soumya Chauhan of Bentonville and Lawson Smith of Jonesboro qualified for the international competition that will be held virtually in May. They join three other ASMSA students who earned ISEF eligibility at the West Central Regional Science Fair that was held in February at ASMSA.
The Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair was held virtually because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Participants submitted their projects through digital means to be judged. They also held video interviews with judges.
ASMSA instructors Drs. Jack and Lindsey Waddell received the Dennis Thurman Teacher Appreciation Award. Jack Waddell is a physics instructor, and Lindsey Waddell is a geoscience and chemistry instructor. The award recognizes a senior teacher(s) who has been a long supporter of the state science fair.
Individual student awards included:
Animal Sciences: First place – Chloe Kirk of Eureka Springs Third Place – Angelina Guevara of Fort Smith Honorable Mention – Claire Green of North Little Rock
Chemistry/Biochemistry: Second Place – Soumya Chauhan of Bentonville
Computer Science/Mathematics: Second Place – Lawson Smith of Jonesboro Honorable Mention – Joshua Stallings of Little Rock
Energy and Transportation: Third Place – David “Bear” Moore of Hampton
Environmental: First Place – Terrance Meinardus of Alma Third Place – Team of Oliva Norman of North Little Rock and Evan Elk of Jonesboro
Health Sciences: Second Place – Annabel Spayde of Conway Honorable Mention – Arindam Deb of White Hall
Physics and Planetary Science: Second Place – Mika Brown of Hope Honorable Mention: Ashton Trumble of Conway
Plant Sciences: Second Place – Team of Sheridan Dethrow of Jonesboro and Gwen Keith-Powell of North Little Rock
Special Awards
Arkansas Soybean Challenge for projects that advance our knowledge of soybean science: Second Place – Claire Green of North Little Rock
Arkansas Environmental Education Association for a project that promotes environmental literacy in Arkansas: Chole Kirk of Eureka Springs
Conway Ecofest Award for the project that best displays the enthusiasm for innovation, sustainability and conservation that EcoFest represents: Chole Kirk of Eureka Springs
Computer Science Teachers Association Award: Second Place – Lawson Smith of Jonesboro
Edmond E. Griffin Award for a project that demonstrates creativity in the life sciences: Angelina Guevara of Fort Smith
Mark Welch Excellence in Animal Science Research Award: Chloe Kirk of Eureka Springs
NASA Earth System Science Award awarded to the outstanding project in Earth System Science: David “Bear” Moore of Hampton
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded to a projected related to ecosystems, climate, weather and transportation: Team of Olivia Norman of North Little Rock and Evan Elk of Jonesboro.
Society for Neuroscience, Arkansas Chapter for outstanding project in neuroscience: Catherine Kwon of Little Rock
Stockholm Junior Water Prize for top water-related projects: Terrance Meinardus of Alma
Yale Science and Engineering Association for best 11th-grade project in the areas of computer science, engineering, physics or chemistry: Joshua Stallings of Little Rock