Research Fair Wrap-Up
The late winter months are often a bustling time for students, especially for those involved in academic research. After participating in arduous weeks of research in the summer and months of preparation in the school year, these students were finally able to present their work at research fairs such as the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) and the New York Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF). Despite the immense effort that is required for each individual research project, High School West has had a successful year overall at both competitions, where students chief aims are to compete for a chance to participate at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) hosted in Phoenix, Arizona in May.
Earlier this month at LISEF, senior Jake DiCicco placed second in Mathematics, while senior Sarah Han, senior Sandhiya Kannan, junior Bailey Liao, and junior Rohan Savargaonkar were awarded third place in Medicine and Health, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, and Materials Engineering, respectively. Later on at NYSSEF, Sandhiya Kannan was awarded 2nd place in Physics and Astronomy and Bailey Liao, who researched a novel way of predicting the production of carbon nanostructures, was awarded 1st place in Mathematics. He was also granted the opportunity to participate at ISEF for the second year in a row.
“I went to ISEF last year and it was a life changing event with awesome people. That’s what drives me to do research, and I am excited and blessed for the opportunity to go back,” stated Bailey Liao.
Unlike other classes, research presents an opportunity for students who are genuinely interested in science and math to explore their subject of interest with professors outside of school. “I was able to explore my topic on my own and interact with professors who wanted to help,” explained Jake DiCicco.
Despite the months of effort and tight competition, academic research remains an essential tool for such students to expand their interest and knowledge in science and math.
