The 2024 Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) showcased exceptional student achievements across various scientific disciplines. Below is a summary of the results:

Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge

Congratulations to Oliver Cottrell, a 6th grader from La Jolla Country Day School, for being selected as a Top 30 Finalist with his project, "Automatic Hockey Puck-Passer Machine."

Additionally, the following students were recognized among the Top 300 Junior Innovators:

• Steven Chen, Grade 8, Pacific Trails Middle School: "Synthesizing Living Materials for Coral Reef Regeneration"

• Emily Diep, Grade 8, Connect Academy @ Design 39 Campus: "A Study of a Homemade Smart Bracelet Integrated with an AI-Driven Speech Therapy Game for Children with Speech Disorders"

• Jeyanth Narayan Parthasarathy, Grade 8, Pacific Trails Middle School: "Reducing Motion Sickness Caused by Regenerative Braking Systems"

• Ritam Sen, Grade 8, Francis Parker School: "Can Elemental Sulfur Influence the Growth of Different Plants"

• Samuel Sternson, Grade 8, The Rhoades School: "Passive Cooling with Infrared Reflective Crystals"

Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF)

The ISEF, held from May 11 to May 17, 2024, in Los Angeles, featured nearly 2,000 students from across the United States and 70 countries. Notable achievements include:

• Leanne Fan, Grade 10, Westview High School

  • Project: "Photobiomodulation on In Vivo and In Vitro Wound Models Under Simulated Microgravity for Future Space Travel"

  • Awards: Second Award in Translational Medical Science ($2,000) and NASA's 1st Prize Special Award ($3,000)

• Zinia Khattar, Grade 11, Del Norte High School

  • Project: "Integrated Stress Response Activation Discovered to Be the Predominant Response to Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Therapeutic Target Advancement"

  • Award: Second Award in Biomedical and Health Sciences ($2,000)

• Angelina Kim, Grade 11, The Bishop’s School

  • Project: "An Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System for Ocean Hazard Recognition and Rescue: Scout and Rescue UAVs"

  • Awards: Third Award in Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics ($1,000) and IEEE Foundation President's Scholarship 1st Prize ($10,000)

• Sarah Gao, Grade 11, Canyon Crest Academy

  • Project: "From Trash to Treasure: Fighting Desertification with Sustainable Soil Amending Hydrogels Synthesized from Food Waste"

  • Award: EPA Patrick H. Hurd Sustainability Award Honorable Mention

California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF)

At the 2024 CSEF, 37 GSDSEF projects (44 students) received awards:

Junior Division:

• 1st Award: 4 projects

• 2nd Award: 3 projects

• 3rd Award: 3 projects

• 4th Award: 1 project

• Honorable Mentions: 5 projects

Senior Division:

• 1st Award: 1 project

• 2nd Award: 4 projects

• 3rd Award: 4 projects

• 4th Award: 2 projects

• Honorable Mentions: 10 projects

For detailed results, including Grand Awards, Categorical Awards by Division, Professional Society Awards, and Affiliate Fair Student Lists, please refer to the official GSDSEF 2024 Results page.