Austin Luo (Morgantown High School) and Manvitha Sanjaya (George Washington High School) were selected to compete at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) hosted nearly 300 students at the 2024 West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair (WVSEF) at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center on Monday. Young scientists from grades 3 through 12 presented more than 200 exhibits in categories including chemistry, technology, plant science, engineering, robotics and much more.
This fair provides opportunities for students to ask questions about their world and to be creative and resourceful as they contemplate problems to eventually solve. Students who participate in science fairs learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills that can be used throughout their lifetime. Scientific methodology, logical thinking, math, statistics and data analysis, as well as reading, writing, grammar, and other skills are utilized as students ask questions, research and collect data, make conclusions based on evidence and communicate their findings to others.
WVSEF also acts as an entry point for Mountain State high school students to qualify for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which will be held this May in Los Angeles, California. Austin Luo from Morgantown High School in Monongalia County and Manvitha Sanjaya from George Washington High School in Kanawha County were selected from this fair to compete at ISEF. Additionally, Sydney Bostic from Spring Mills High School and Nathaly Espada from Hedgesville High School, both in Berkeley County, will also compete following their selection from the Eastern Panhandle Science and Engineering Fair.
“Our students are curious about how the real-world functions and the West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair offers them the opportunity and freedom to explore their most challenging questions,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “We are witnessing the growth and development of tomorrow’s thought-leaders.”
Today’s competition resulted in 145 elementary, middle and high school student winners, for the complete list of winners, download the Official Results (pdf).
For media inquiries, contact Christy Day, West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications, at 304-558-2699 or Christy.Day@k12.wv.us.
