STEM Stars Shine Bright
In a celebration of innovation and ingenuity, the AWIS-North Carolina (AWIS-NC) Chapter sponsors a special award partnered with the North Carolina Science Fair Foundation (NCSFF) each year to recognize the best projects by young women at the annual North Carolina State Science and Engineering Fair (NCSEF).
As part of AWIS-NC’s commitment to fostering interest and excellence in STEM, we sponsor an award called the “Young STEM Star.” This award aimed to recognize outstanding projects by young women in underrepresented communities and STEM areas that demonstrated creativity, scientific rigor, and a passion for discovery. It is our way of encouraging and celebrating the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
We were incredibly impressed with the caliber of projects on display. For the elementary category, 3rd grader Bailey Cummings stood out for her experiment, “Is it EGG-cellent?” Bailey was inspired by the fact that egg is the second most common food allergy in children, an allergy she has herself. With a goal of improving inclusivity at birthday parties, she set out to determine what is the best egg substitute in baking. She tested nine different common egg substitutes for cupcakes against the control – the standard egg recipe. She used a variety of both qualitative and quantitative data from thirteen volunteer taste testers, including “leavening” (height of cupcake) and “binding” (number of crumbs generated. A blind taste test determined the overall winner was buttermilk, contrary to her original hypothesis that yogurt would win.
Our middle school level STEM Star award went to Saumya Wagh for her project, “Gripping New Opportunities.” She sought to understand how prosthetic grip and dexterity would be improved by biomimicking a gecko’s unique legs. Her experimental design included a homemade prosthetic arm augmented with various adhesives on the fingertips that were similar in structure to the microscopic hairs on a gecko’s feet. She then tested her homemade prosthetic and determined that silicone mixed with sand and cloth fibers was the best sticking material, as it enabled the prosthetic to grip and release objects with ease. Saumya hopes to continue her research to enhance the quality of life for those who have lost a limb.
Emily Martinez was named Young STEM Star from the high school division, for “Project Save Water.” Her goal was the development of an effective water filtration system from natural resources for those who may not have drinkable water available. Through her research, she was able to use layers of recycled materials such as old clothing, rocks, charcoal, and grasses to systematically filter out particles from the water in a plastic bottle. Pairing this with a salt coagulation step to remove any residual particulates and boiling the water to kill any bacteria that may remain resulted in clean, potable water. Emily plans to continue her research by simplifying methods to remove bacteria and salts.
The North Carolina State Science and Engineering Fair provides opportunities for students to showcase their talents and interact with professionals in the field, which will hopefully nurture a lifelong love of learning and exploration. As we reflect on our experience at NCSEF, we are optimistic for the future of STEM. The creativity, passion, and innovation displayed by the participants serve as a powerful reminder of the incredible potential that lies within our youth. We look forward to continuing our support for initiatives that empower young minds and celebrate the achievements of tomorrow’s STEM leaders.
