2025 Regional and State Science and Engineering Fairs | News | Worcester Academy

Worcester Academy students showcased their curiosity, innovation, and scientific rigor at this year’s Worcester Regional Science and Engineering Fair and the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair, earning accolades and representing the Academy with distinction.

These events offer students the opportunity to pursue year-long independent research projects in the sciences and engineering, culminating in presentations before expert judges and members of the public. Projects ranged from machine learning to microbiology to environmental engineering, highlighting the depth and breadth of our students’ interests.

Congratulations to all our student researchers who presented at the regional fair:

• Eleanor Chen and Ruby Tran – Investigate Solar Activity Through Directional Muon Detectors on a High-Altitude Balloon
• Alex Ding – Discover the Factors of Longevity by Causal Discovery with PC Algorithm and Neural Networks
• Evan Li – Covariate Modeling and Survival Outcomes in Early Onset Pancreatic Cancer – A Population Based Study
• Tiffany Ntim – Comparing Skin Microbiome Diversity Between Individuals Living in Urban and Rural Areas
• Albert Qian – Omni-Directional Bionic Crab-like Robot for Ocean Pollution Monitoring
• Sharvi Sharma – The Effect of Vitamin A in the Speed of Regeneration in Eisenia Fetida
• Anwita Wadekar – Understanding Social Determinants of Disabilities: A Machine Learning Approach
• Chris Xu – Exploring the Relationship Between Altitude and Muon Production from Cosmic Rays
• Katherine Zheng – Simulation of Idealized Enzymatic Biofuel Cell for Increased Energy Output
• Edward Zhu – Examining Relationships Between Economic Indicators and Homelessness in Four U.S. States

Special congratulations to Eleanor Chen, Ruby Tran, and Anwita Wadekar, who earned Honorable Mentions at the Regional Fair. Albert Qian was also recognized with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Trailblazer Award for his innovative robotics project focused on environmental monitoring.

From this talented group, five students advanced to the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair at MIT: Anwita Wadekar, Eleanor Chen, Ruby Tran, Sharvi Sharma, and Alex Ding. At the state level, Anwita and Alex both earned Honorable Mentions for their outstanding work.