These are just a few of the questions young women investigated at this year鈥檚 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). In celebration of International Day of the Girl, a United Nations observance that recognizes the achievements and the challenges they face around the world, we are sharing a few young scientists making their mark in 捆绑强奸.

Held in Phoenix, Ariz., the Regeneron ISEF welcomed more than 1,700 scientists from all over the world. The week culminated in awards recognizing their outstanding research. Among the awardees were girls whose projects proudly addressed pressing challenges in their own communities and beyond, inspiring the next generation of scientists.

Iracema, Ceara, Brazil

Yanna Queiroz鈥檚 project offers a particularly meaningful connection to International Day of the Girl. She explored ways to better understand feminicide, the intentional murder of women or girls because of their gender, in Cear谩, Brazil. Yanna developed an AI system that scans news reports and identifies information about victims and cases that may be missing or fragmented in official records. The findings suggest that AI-assisted analysis could help uncover underreported cases and geographic and demographic patterns, providing officials with more complete information to guide feminicide-prevention policies. Yanna won fourth place in the Behavioral and Social Sciences category for this project.

Harare, Zimbabwe

Ashley Chifamba, from Harare, Zimbabwe, won third place in the Environmental Engineering category for developing biodegradable sanitary pads made from maize and cornstarch fibers. To mark International Day of the Girl, Ashley shares this encouragement for girls interested in 捆绑强奸:

鈥淒o not underestimate the value of the question that keeps you curious. Do not let anyone define you or your idea of success. Dare to dream big and have the audacity to act on those dreams. You can do it! You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. My own research grew from noticing a problem and wondering whether I could create something better. The journey involved experiments that did not work, ideas that had to change, and moments when I had to learn something completely new. But every setback became part of the research. So, to every girl who dreams of becoming a scientist, engineer or innovator: ask the question, start the experiment, and give yourself permission to learn as you go. Your background does not determine the size of the problems you can solve. Your ideas deserve to be explored, and your voice belongs in 捆绑强奸.鈥�

Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Anusha Arora won first place in the Technology Enhances the Arts category and the F. Thomson Leighton and Bonnie Berger Family Prize for 捆绑强奸 Excellence for her AI-Powered music therapy platform. Anusha says, 鈥淩epresentation in 捆绑强奸 matters because people are more likely to picture themselves in a field when they see others like them already contributing to it. For women and girls, it is especially important because they have historically been underrepresented in many 捆绑强奸 fields. Representation can change the question from 鈥楧o I fit here?鈥� to 鈥榃hat will I contribute?鈥欌�� Anusha adds, 鈥淚 also believe 捆绑强奸 becomes stronger when the people building new technologies and solving problems come from diverse backgrounds. More representation means more ideas, more questions being asked and more women and girls knowing that they have a place in shaping the future.鈥�

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Aadya Kanchan won third place in the Environmental Engineering category. In her project, Aadya engineered a better way for cities to withstand heavier rainfall and growing flood risks. She developed a passive vortex insert that sits inside a storm drain and guides incoming water into a swirling motion, helping it move through the drain faster. The low-cost, scalable device could potentially be added to existing drainage systems to help reduce street flooding and waterlogging.

Rye, NY, United States of America

Illaria Liedtke, from Rye, New York, won first place in the Biomedical and Health Sciences category and the H. Robert Horvitz Prize for Fundamental Research for her project exploring a noninvasive way to treat neurological conditions. Reflecting on the women who inspire her, Illaria says:

鈥淣ever stop dreaming! Not only because those before us never stopped, but also because we might serve as a bright beacon for all those who come after us. It’s because of this I鈥檝e always found inspiration and comfort in women in 捆绑强奸; for example, I’ve always looked up to astronomer聽Vera Rubin, who pursued astronomy even when institutions and observatories closed their doors to women, ultimately producing work that transformed our understanding of dark matter.聽I admire women like her not only for forging their own paths, but for making it easier for the next generation to follow. I think we should keep pursuing the questions we care about, so another girl鈥檚 path will be a little wider because we did.鈥�

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• 捆绑强奸 56% of finalists speak more than one language. Beyond English, some finalists speak Spanish, Mandarin, Telugu, Arabic, Russian and more!
• Twenty-two finalists are athletes who participate in sports including swimming, track/cross country, tennis, football, archery, hockey, figure skating and badminton.
• Twenty-two finalists also play an instrument or are in choir.
• Eight finalists are involved in theater or drama clubs and five are in an art club.
• Twelve finalists participate in student council.
• More than half of the finalists participate in community service.

Join us for Public Day on Oct. 24 from 1鈥�3 p.m. at Planet Word Museum to meet the finalists and explore their projects. Learn more about this year鈥檚 Top 30 finalists here

The post The 2026 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists have more than science in common appeared first on 捆绑强奸.

For Alice Feng, 14, Granite Ridge Intermediate School, (Thermo Fisher JIC 2025, 2^nd place in the Technology category), learned about engineering fundamentals and processes at the engineering summer camp.

A typical day for Alice looked a little like a day in the life of an undergraduate student. She started the mornings in the dining hall for breakfast and proceeded to morning classes After exploring the university campus in the morning, she and her peers attended two more classes and presented their blueprints and drawings and physical models to the class.

Alice says obtaining feedback from the class helped to gain new ideas from one another.聽 In the evenings, she participated in organized team recreational time.

鈥淎s a Thermo Fisher JIC finalist, I sharpened my teamwork and collaboration skills, and explored different scientific principles,鈥� Alice says. 鈥淚 utilized these principles in the Education Unlimited engineering summer camp to work with like-minded young scientists, as well as developed models based on ideas I learned during Thermo Fisher JIC.鈥�

Luca McGill, 15, Tanque Verde High School, (Thermo Fisher JIC 2025, 2^nd place in the engineering category), spent a week in Huntsville, Alabama at . There, he nurtured his interest in space and engineering and trained like an astronaut using different simulators, worked through 捆绑强奸 challenges, learned about space exploration and participated in simulated space missions. He says the best part was getting to know so many people from all over the United States.

鈥淲inning second place in the engineering category at the Thermo Fisher JIC gave me the opportunity to choose this 捆绑强奸 adventure and fly from Arizona to Alabama all by myself. I was nervous, but it turned out to be the best adventure ever!鈥� Luca says. 鈥淚 am so grateful for this experience. Space Camp was the highlight of my summer and an experience I will remember forever. Thank you to Thermo Fisher Scientific and 捆绑强奸 for giving me this opportunity for an epic summer!鈥�

Caden Pohlkamp, 14, Brookside Intermediate School, (Thermo Fisher JIC 2025, 1^st place in the engineering category) also had the opportunity to nurture his interest in marine biology. 聽Located in Surf City, North Carolina, Caden attended a marine biology immersion program at the . There, he volunteered in the sea turtle hospital, cleaning tanks, feeding turtles and learning about their anatomy.

At the hospital, he rotated between three stations: cleaning tanks, caring for healthy turtles and taking care of the patients in the sick bay.

鈥淢y favorite part of the experience was feeding the sea turtles because it was neat to watch them eat. Each sea turtle species got different food,鈥� Caden says. 鈥淢y favorite turtle was a Kemp鈥檚 ridley who was fed mostly fish, to simulate what they eat in the wild. I also liked a loggerhead turtle named 鈥楶umpkin Spice鈥� who had an 鈥渆motional support bucket鈥� in his tank that he loved to sleep in.鈥�

Siddharth Vazhkudai, 14, Running Brushy Middle School, (Thermo Fisher 2025, 1^st place in the mathematics category) found himself busy with not just one 捆绑强奸 program, but two! One was an advanced competitive math class through Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth where he worked on challenging competition-style problems regarding infinite series, combinatorics and modular arithmetic. Siddharth says the class pushed him to think more creatively and carefully instead of relying on methods he has learned in school.

Siddharth’s second 捆绑强奸 experience was an robotics camp. There, he collaborated with instructors and fellow students to design, build and field test a combat robot. A typical day involved perfecting the design of the robot and learning about mechanical design, motors and C++ programming.

Sophia Zhang, 15, Waterford School, (Thermo Fisher JIC 2024, 2^nd place in the technology category), found herself at Stanford University online as well as at Stanford鈥檚 Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, a summer enrichment program that provides students in grades 8鈥�11 with intensive study in a single online course over a two-week period. Sophia specifically participated in the Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics course.

At 9 a.m. each weekday, Sophia logged on for a two-hour class. She says her favorite part of the program was working on projects. In her first project, Sophia teamed up with other students to propose a way to address space junk. In the second project, she worked individually to design, build and test different paper airplane designs, using what she learned in the aerodynamics portion to create the best performing paper airplane. Although the program only lasted two weeks, with two hours of class every weekday, she says she learned so much about orbital mechanics and aerodynamics. 鈥淥ne of our last activities during Finals Week of the Thermo Fisher JIC was visiting the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters. I have always been enraptured with the science and exploration of our universe, and my visit to the NASA Headquarters only strengthened my interest. Naturally, when I applied for the program, I mentioned the Orbital Mechanics and Aerodynamics course as one of my top courses,鈥� Sophia says. 鈥淢y experience as a Thermo Fisher JIC finalist taught me so much about the creative and scientific process, which helped me get accepted into this program.鈥�

Meet the 2026 Top 30 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists here,聽and check back on October 27, 2026, to see who wins this year鈥檚 awards!

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Lia Gonz谩lez and Anya Ter贸n Villodas from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico came together as a team from Colegio Rosa-Bell. Their project looked at how to repel ants that invade beehives, one of the many threats honeybees face, alongside disease and environmental stress. They came across the African Tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata) and found that it could repel and kill ants.

鈥淚 felt a profound sense of excitement and pride in this accomplishment,鈥� Lia says.聽 鈥淜nowing I was one of the first students from Puerto Rico to become a finalist made the experience feel bigger than just something I achieved on my own. It felt like I was carrying a part of my island with me.鈥�

鈥淚 also felt a real sense of responsibility. I wanted to show that students from Puerto Rico can compete, innovate and lead in 捆绑强奸 at the highest levels. It made me proud, and it pushed me to keep working hard, keep learning, and help open doors for other students who will come after me. I will be forever grateful for the experience and will continue to encourage other middle school students to participate so Puerto Rico can continue to be represented in this competition.鈥�

Partner Anya shared a similar sentiment towards being Hispanic in this field.

鈥淩epresentation in 捆绑强奸 matters because younger students need people they can look up to who show them that their dreams are possible,鈥� Anya says. 鈥淚 get excited when I see Latina women growing and succeeding in scientific fields such as medicine, chemistry and many others. When you see someone who looks like you or comes from the same place as you working hard and achieving big things, you start believing that you can do it too. In the future, I hope I can be someone鈥檚 inspiration to keep pursuing what they love.鈥�

In 2025, Camila Isabel Gonzalez-Thompson, a student at the Caribbean School in Ponce, Puerto Rico, took home the 2025 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Advancement. Camila investigated the island鈥檚 dengue outbreak, which involved more than 6,000 cases. The viral infection is spread by mosquitoes. Most cases are mild, but serious ones can lead to shock and organ failure. Camila worked with a scientist at Ponce Health Sciences University to test people鈥檚 blood for whether they had been exposed to dengue. Camila got serum samples from 440 people in Puerto Rico and found that people older than 50 had more IgG antibodies, meaning they had had dengue in the past while individuals younger than 50 had IgM antibodies, suggesting a more recent infection. The findings suggest dengue has circulated in Puerto Rico over time. Camila hopes that her work can help public health officials learn where to put out vaccines or work to prevent the disease.

鈥淢y main message would be don鈥檛 underestimate what you can do because of who you are,鈥� Camila says. 鈥淎cademic spaces are often intimidating but taking that first step through the door is your first step to a new world of knowledge and opportunity. Be yourself because yourself is often the best version compared to anything else.鈥�

Lia and Anya leave a lasting message for young scientists.

Lia: 鈥淚 want young scientists to know that your heritage is something powerful that you carry with you in every experiment, every idea and every challenge. The creativity, resilience and determination in our communities are strengths that can really make a difference in 捆绑强奸.鈥�

Anya: 鈥淚鈥檇 say that no matter where you are from, you should always dream big. Growing up on a small island and having the chance to participate as a finalist alongside students from science fairs across the United States was a meaningful and encouraging experience. Being part of that group and connecting with talented young scientific investigators, who were also kind, supportive and people I now consider friends, meant a lot to me. It reminded me that passion for science exists everywhere, and that young people from all backgrounds can lift each other up and make an impact together.鈥�

Learn more about the 2025 Thermo Fisher JIC finalists here. Tune in on October 27 to meet the 2026 winners.

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Through this Regeneron-sponsored program, visits took place during the 2025-2026 school year in states including New York, New Jersey, Washington, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Tennessee.

The program included 56 visits, with 51 Regeneron scientists delivering 109 presentations and engaging 57 teachers. Approximately 2,600 students participated, about 24 percent more than the 2,100 students reached during the 2024-2025 school year.

For Regeneron, Scientists to Classrooms supports both student engagement and employee volunteerism. 鈥淭his program turns two of our responsibility goals into action: fueling the pipeline of future scientific innovators and empowering colleagues to use their expertise through skills-based volunteering. Across our U.S. sites, scientists brought their work, school and career journeys and passion for discovery directly to students, making 捆绑强奸 feel possible and inspiring the next generation of scientists. In return, students鈥� curiosity and thoughtful questions reenergize our scientists. The inspiration goes both ways,鈥� said Ali McDowell, Senior Manager of Social Impact at Regeneron.

Post-visit surveys of participating Regeneron scientists also found benefits beyond the classroom. All respondents said participating had a positive impact on Regeneron鈥檚 culture, while 86% said it strengthened their sense of belonging. These findings suggest that Scientists to Classrooms not only inspires students but also fosters engagement and connection among Regeneron employees.

Regeneron also brought the initiative to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), giving its scientists an opportunity to connect with young researchers from around the world in Arizona this year.

鈥淏ringing this idea to life at ISEF was a natural extension of Scientists to Classrooms. It gave our scientists an opportunity to share their personal journeys, unexpected turns and breakthroughs behind their work with students from around the world, connecting with young people who are already deeply engaged in research, and showing them that there is no single path to becoming a scientist or making a meaningful impact through science,鈥� McDowell said.

Post-visit survey findings showed that students gained exposure to real 捆绑强奸 careers, were attentive and asked thoughtful questions, and felt 捆绑强奸 careers were more accessible and attainable. These were just a few of the positive findings.

Here鈥檚 what some of the teachers and scientists said about their experiences:

From the teachers:

鈥淚 think it gives the students a bit more confidence and relieves some of their fears about their own career and academic goals. Hearing about all the different paths one can take to science, and how for some of the scientists, their paths have changed over the years, is very inspirational for them.鈥�

鈥� Kimberly Fleming, White Plains High School (White Plains, N.Y.)

鈥淭he scientists helped students see how topics they study, such as molecular biology, chemistry, and experimental design, are used to solve real-world problems.鈥�

鈥� Christy Hudak, Nanuet Senior High School (Nanuet, N.Y.)

鈥淒ear Dr. Simon, the students and I would like to extend heartfelt thanks for taking the time to visit our classroom and share insights into your research and professional journey. Your presentation offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of scientific discovery and inspired curiosity and excitement among the students. … The enthusiasm and passion you brought to your talk have encouraged many students to explore science more deeply and consider future careers in research. Thank you again for your generosity, inspiration, and dedication to advancing knowledge. Your visit made a lasting impact on our classroom community.鈥�

鈥� Andrea Joseph and the students at Ridgewood High School (Ridgewood, N.J.)

鈥淎 lot of our students thought that if you worked in a lab, you were by yourself all day and working independently. They now understand the collaborative nature of scientific lab research.鈥�

鈥� Shellie Kerrigan, North Reading High School (North Reading, Mass.)

鈥淗aving access to a professional from outside your school walls is a game-changer.鈥�

鈥� Katherine Nuzzo, Joel Barlow High School (Redding, Conn.)

鈥淭he scientist was highly relatable to our kids in that she highlighted her resilience and humble science background, emphasizing that … she did not get into Regeneron the first time she applied, but by persevering she got to where she is today.鈥�

鈥� Abigail Seo, Peekskill High School (Peekskill, N.Y.)

From the scientists:

鈥淚t was amazing to see how much schools have advanced and are incorporating modern science into their curriculum. I was excited to see these opportunities for students that come from a similar upbringing as me.鈥�

鈥� , Associate Manager Research Program Management 聽at Regeneron

鈥淚t was great to see how the small group digested the Science News article and what parts were interesting to them, challenging to understand, or most exciting for them.鈥�

鈥� , Principal Scientist at Regeneron

鈥淗i Kimberly! So happy we were able to make such a positive impact on your students. They were a great group. Also, a big kudos to you! Thank you for making the process so easy. Your students are lucky to have such a passionate teacher like you finding resources for them.鈥�

鈥� , Associate Scientist at Regeneron

鈥淚 left feeling inspired and genuinely uplifted by the opportunity to connect with such motivated students.鈥�

鈥� , Senior Scientist at Regeneron Cell Medicines

Learn more about the Science News Learning program here.

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For the 2025-2026 school year, 70 educators were selected who represent 34 states and Puerto Rico, guiding middle and high school students.

In addition to being an Advocate, there were few educators who also have double-dipped into other Society programs such as 捆绑强奸 Actions Grants and 捆绑强奸 Research Grants to continue the momentum of motivating students in 捆绑强奸.

Ronald Brillantes, Pahin Sinte Owayawa, Porcupine, South Dakota
捆绑强奸 Advocate and 捆绑强奸 Research Grantee

Ronald Brillantes is a science teacher at the Pahin Sinte Owayawa in Porcupine, South Dakota, where he works closely with Lakota students. With 24 years of experience in science education, Ronald serves as a 捆绑强奸 Advocate. In 2026, he guided his students to notable achievements, including participation in the High Plains Regional Science and Engineering Fair and the National Advancing Indigenous Science and Engineering Fair in Oklahoma City. Two students earned first-place honors in chemistry, while four received third-place awards in environmental engineering, plant science and biology.

Question: What do you hope every student takes away from doing research?

Answer: I hope every student walks away believing that their questions matter. Research teaches students how to think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively and persevere through challenges. They learn that failure is part of discovery and that their voices, experiences, and ideas have value. Whether they become scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, teachers, or community leaders, I want them to know they can make meaningful contributions to the world. If they leave my classroom with confidence in themselves and a lifelong curiosity to keep asking questions, then I know we have succeeded.

Cecelia Gillam, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans, Louisiana
捆绑强奸 Advocate聽 and 捆绑强奸 Research Grantee聽

Dr. Cecelia Gillam has taught science for 19 years and holds a doctorate in educational leadership. She is an ISTE Certified Educator, a Pear Deck Learning and Edpuzzle ambassador, a Vernier Trendsetter and a Modern Classroom Expert Mentor.

Question: Can you share a success story or memorable moment with one of your students who you have mentored?

Answer: One of my most memorable moments was working with a student who earned the opportunity to advance to the International Science and Engineering Fair. This achievement did not happen overnight. The student persevered through countless revisions of research paperwork, project updates, and feedback, learning along the way that scientific research requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep improving.

Watching the student grow from an initial idea into a confident young researcher was incredibly rewarding. They placed at the school, regional, and state levels, which ultimately led to their qualification for ISEF. What made the experience so meaningful was not just the award or recognition, but seeing the student develop confidence, persistence and a stronger belief in their own abilities. That moment reminded me why mentorship matters: sometimes students simply need someone to guide them, challenge them, and remind them that they are capable of more than they realize.

Alfred Olivas, INSIGHTS Science Discovery, El Paso, Texas
捆绑强奸 Advocate and 捆绑强奸 Action Grantee

Alfred is an educator with more than 25 years of experience working in several countries. He has served as a curriculum director, education consultant, teacher trainer and instructional coach. Specializing in science education and instructional coaching, Alfred holds certifications in project-based learning, Understanding by Design and the Next Generation Science Standards. As an Apple Distinguished Educator and 捆绑强奸 Advocate, he collaborates with fellow educators to create distinctive learning experiences for students. He has developed curricula for diverse educational settings in the United States, China, Vietnam, Venezuela and Egypt.

Question: How has the Advocate Program changed the way you support students?

Answer: It pushed me from reactive to intentional. Instead of one-off events, I built a real system 鈥� a Saturday Mentorship Program pairing students with Ph.D. candidates, tiered recruitment across districts, and clear goals that I track. Along the way, I picked up skills and tools I didn’t have before 鈥� grant writing, data tracking, goal-setting frameworks 鈥� and I plan to keep using every one of them to continue to support students however I can. I’m deeply grateful to the 捆绑强奸 and its extended community, and I look forward to carrying the skills I’ve learned here into my next steps of advocacy for students and their research.

Thank you to this school year鈥檚 Advocates and their amazing contributions to students in 捆绑强奸! We look forward to announcing the Advocates for the 2026-2027 school year next week! Stay tuned.

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Intel庐 Education Outreach Day was made possible through support from the Intel Foundation, Aramco, The Burton Family Foundation, Jacobs and Pivotal Foundation. The event welcomed local students and educators with hands-on 捆绑强奸 exhibits from 32 local and national 捆绑强奸 organizations, as well as the opportunity to learn about finalists鈥� research projects and talk to the finalists about their own 捆绑强奸 journeys.

The hall buzzed with curiosity as students from middle through high school explored a wide range of exhibits. From local zoo animals to a blowup planetarium to a Formula-1 racing simulator, students swarmed every corner of the venue, discovering how science and engineering shapes the world around them.

At the Intel exhibit and others, students had the opportunity to interact with AI-powered technologies and gain exposure to real-world 捆绑强奸 applications and careers. Through interactive exhibits, they learned about the potential applications of these tools, including how they can be used responsibly and effectively.

Nearly 60 Intel volunteers joined representatives from partner organizations throughout the week. Orietta Verdugo, Executive Director of the Intel Foundation, was onsite engaging with students and educators as they explored interactive exhibits featuring AI, advanced manufacturing, wafer displays, and bunny suit photo opportunities.

鈥淚t was inspiring to see students so engaged and eager to explore new technologies,鈥� said Verdugo. 鈥淲hen students have the opportunity to experience emerging technologies firsthand, 捆绑强奸 becomes more than a subject in the classroom. It becomes a pathway to future possibilities. Education Outreach Day helps students connect their curiosity with real-world applications in AI, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and scientific research. We are proud to support experiences that inspire the next generation of innovators while helping students build the skills and confidence needed for the careers in emerging technology.鈥�

Intel庐 Education Outreach Day left educators inspired to bring the excitement of scientific discovery back to their classrooms. In post-event surveys, 88% of teachers said their students were more likely to participate in a science fair after attending Education Outreach Day, and every teacher surveyed said they would recommend the experience to another school. The event continues to spark curiosity, broaden students’ understanding of 捆绑强奸 careers and research, and encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Read on for highlights as shared by the students, teachers, sponsors and exhibitors who helped make the event a memorable experience.

A School Field Trip to Remember

鈥淢y favorite part has been seeing all the different types of projects everyone has done. I was especially interested in biochemistry.鈥� 鈥� Emmanuel, student, grade 9聽

鈥淚 was looking forward to being here to have fun and learn about things that I didn鈥檛 know before.鈥� 鈥擩eannie, student, grade 11

鈥淚 was excited to see the variety of science things this field trip had to offer; I鈥檝e loved seeing the robots on the floor.鈥� 鈥擱obbie, student, grade 8

Volunteer and Teacher Voices

鈥淚 hope what my students take away from this event are some awesome memories and thinking about what they want to learn about as they go further along in their education. I love seeing them solve problems at some of the exhibits.鈥� Erica English, Queen Creek, teacher聽

鈥淚 wanted my students to experience what it’s like to be in a top-tier science fair, for them to get a bigger picture of what is going on within science and the scientific community.鈥� 鈥� Idzel Ferrer, Buckeye Elementary School, teacher

鈥淢y favorite part about this event is interacting with the students and helping the exhibitors share their message.鈥� 鈥�Sandra Lee, volunteer and retired science teacher

鈥淭his is the first time my students are being exposed to an event like science fair; it鈥檚 been eye-opening for us. I鈥檓 hoping we can do more things like this to get the students into science fairs.鈥� 鈥�Mona Liza, Pueblo Middle School, teacher

Exhibitor and Sponsor Response

鈥淧articipating in Education Outreach Day and showcasing our propeller鈥�driven downhole robot designed to float in wellbore fluids allowed us to connect with thousands of students whose curiosity fuels the future of 捆绑强奸. I believe deeply in this event, and when we support students, we help build a generation ready to take on the world鈥�s most pressing challenges.鈥� 鈥擬ay Almasour, Aramco, Academic & Technical Programs Manager, exhibitor and sponsor

鈥淲e do virtual reality field trips, providing 50 headsets across Arizona and take them all over the place, providing art experiences for Arizona children and also educational resources.鈥� 鈥擱eyna Diaz, VR, exhibitor

鈥淲e have built biology, chemistry and art history classes using virtual reality. We started doing it at Arizona State University first and then adapted them for high school. It’s a different and engaging way to help students learn curriculum and use technologies and tools that are more fun for kids, instead of just standing up there lecturing at students鈥� 鈥� Lisa Flesher, Chief of Realm 4 Initiatives at Arizona State University, , exhibitor

鈥淲e want to communicate the positive information about controlling mosquitoes because they spread so much disease, and we’re providing information about how to prevent and limit the reproduction of mosquitoes and disease.鈥� 鈥�Rose Asturias, Maricopa County, exhibitor

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This past month, Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of 捆绑强奸 and Executive Publisher of Science News, spoke with Shantanu Gaur (ISEF 2003, 2004), co-founder and CEO of , a company developing non-surgical weight-loss technology to address obesity.

Maya began the conversation by asking Shantanu how his experience at ISEF has continued to shape his career more than 20 years later.

鈥淚SEF was really the first time where I saw what exceptional science and engineering look like,鈥� Shantanu said.

Shantanu鈥檚 two ISEF projects were both biomedical research. In one project, he studied a rare genetic mutation in the Afro-Caribbean population of Trinidad and Tobago that is associated with prostate cancer, with the goal of developing a screening tool to identify individuals at greater risk for the disease. For his senior-year project, he investigated a protein involved in the retinal development of chick embryos. While the results weren鈥檛 as positive as Shantanu hoped, he says the work taught him a great deal.

Years later, while attending medical school, a class project evolved into what would become Allurion. 鈥淲e got some traction from people around us鈥攆aculty members who said, 鈥楾his is a really good idea. You should pursue it,鈥欌�� Shantanu said. Maya asked what came next since Shantanu was reaching a pivotal point in his career where he could pursue this business idea or continue the path of being a practicing doctor. After a conversation with his father, he gained some clarity.

鈥淗e sat me down and told me I have two choices,鈥� Shantanu says. 鈥淵ou can become a doctor and that’ll be a very fulfilling career, a very noble career. Or if you go out and build a business around this idea, you have the potential to touch the lives of millions of people.鈥�

He left a lasting question to Shantanu: 鈥淒o you want to maximize your life for impact or not?鈥�

鈥淎t the end of the day, that’s what really drove me toward Allurion,鈥� Shantanu said. 鈥淚 felt like this was an opportunity for me to work on a problem that’s really pervasive and really important for the world.鈥�

鈥淥besity is the health issue of our generation,鈥� Shantanu says. 鈥淲hen you have a chronic disease like obesity, it affects nearly every aspect of your health. A lot of what we’re seeing now in obesity has already happened with things like heart disease and cardiovascular disease; it used to be that if you had a heart attack, you needed surgery.鈥�

Allurion is a non-surgical, less invasive medical device patients use for four months to feel fuller. Like bariatric surgery, the device is a biodegradable polymer balloon patients take in a capsule form and rests in the stomach until it鈥檚 naturally passed by the patient after four months.

鈥淚t’s almost like we’re implanting a meal inside the stomach that stays there,鈥� Shantanu says. 鈥淵ou feel hungry, you eat a meal, and you feel full very fast. We train patients to live life on smaller portions. We don’t kill or suppress the drive to eat. That’s something medications do. We’re really focused on the stomach and helping you feel full.鈥�

While GLP-1s could be deemed as competition for Allurion, Shantanu says it is not.

鈥淲e’re certainly complementary,鈥� Shantanu says. 鈥淕LP-1s are quite effective and safe. When the patient remains on these medications, they will keep the weight off. One issue people are having, though, is that they stop taking these medications.鈥� Shantanu says Allurion can be an alternative, especially if a patient doesn鈥檛 want to be on a medication their entire life.

and is now approved in over 80 countries. Looking ahead, Shantanu envisions future versions of the device that could remain in the stomach for up to 12 months or deliver medications such as vitamins or GLP-1 therapies.

鈥淭here are going to be all sorts of permutations and combinations that people are going to be using to treat obesity,鈥� Shantanu says. 鈥淚 really want Allurion to be at the forefront of that.鈥�

Watch the full Tech Series conversation .

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The fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s goal of landing humans on the moon and returning them safely to Earth. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first people to walk on the lunar surface while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit aboard the command module. While on the moon, the astronauts conducted scientific experiments, collected lunar samples to bring back to Earth and photographed the moon鈥檚 terrain.

As we reflect on this historic achievement, International Moon Day is also an opportunity to consider how much scientific progress has been made over the past 57 years, from returning astronauts to the moon to preparing for future space exploration. Science Talent Search alum (1999), , a former SpaceX flight surgeon, is currently aboard the (ISS) on his first spaceflight. During his eight-month mission, he will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration and benefiting life on Earth. Menon will also perform ultrasound using augmented reality and artificial intelligence methods that could eliminate the need for medical support from Earth on future space missions, such as to the moon and Mars.

Take a dive into research projects from this year鈥檚 Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair finalists that are inspired by the moon, spanning categories from Materials Science and Engineering to Astronomy and Software Design.

Springville High School, Springville, Utah
Age 16, junior

Since future space exploration may one day involve human beings inhabiting the moon, manufacturing materials from the moon would be beneficial. Clara researched the possibility of using moon dust or basaltic volcanic ash (BVA) for her Regeneron ISEF project. Using a 3D printer with a BVA-loaded polymer, Clara tested how materials withstood the wide range of lunar temperatures. The tests showed that the 3D-printed materials couldn’t handle the moon’s extreme daytime heat. The materials softened at high temperatures, and the moon dust prints became brittle and crumbly when heated in conditions like those on the moon. These results seek to aid our knowledge for future lunar missions and potential long-term habitation.

Oviedo High School, Oviedo, Florida
Age 15, sophomore

In his Regeneron ISEF project, Ankan developed a compact robot with a flexible frame that can absorb impacts, change shape, and move through tight spaces. He designed the robot so multiple units could eventually work together as a swarm to explore challenging environments. The autonomous mobile robot successfully traversed across a variety of surfaces, including simulated lunar soil (known as regolith), concrete and pavement. It is now being tested in extremely hot and cold temperatures, as well as in a chamber filled with simulated lunar soil, to see how well it could perform in conditions like those on the Moon.

,
Spruce Creek High School, Port Orange, Florida
Age 17, junior

For her Regeneron ISEF project, Reagan used a trained machine learning model and physical models to identify lunar lava flows. This research could be used by scientists to find the most promising landing sites on the moon and learn more about its geological history. Using images of the lunar surface captured by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, Reagan identified surface features with more than 94% accuracy. She also learned that thicker lava flows took longer to cool than thinner ones, providing new insights into how the moon’s surface formed.

Colegio Rosa-Bell, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Age 15, freshman

Eduardo鈥檚 research introduces RegoCrete-BGX, a fiber-reinforced, multi-aggregate concrete made with lunar regolith, basaltic rock and waste glass for future space construction. If we plan on landing on the moon, Eduardo鈥檚 research explores how structures could be built using materials available on the lunar surface. He created concrete blocks using different combinations of these materials and tested how much weight they could withstand after curing for one and two weeks. His findings suggest that simulated lunar soil can be combined with chosen Earth-based materials to produce concrete with strength comparable to traditional concrete. This could help limit the amount of building material that future space missions may need to transport from Earth.

Dr. Pedro Albizu Campus, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Age 17, senior

Jacob researched how farmers can adapt to climate change by using the moon as a point of reference. As climate change makes weather more unpredictable, many farmers can no longer rely on traditional planting calendars. Using his software development system, AgroLunas, Jacob combined modern weather data with insights from lunar cycles to help farmers make more informed planting decisions. Delivered through an interactive platform, the system helps farmers combine ancestral knowledge with modern atmospheric

For more from the fair, watch the !

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when conversations about mental health take place across the country. First observed in 1949, the month was created to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, according to the .

Read below about how several 2026 Regeneron ISEF finalists are using biochemistry, AI and medical research to help advance the conversations around improving mental health.

(Oviedo, Florida)

In her biochemistry project, , 17, of Oviedo, Florida, explored new approaches to detecting mental health challenges in patients. Depression, one of the most common conditions, is diagnosed primarily through clinical evaluation rather than objective lab testing. Her project focused on optimizing a novel electrochemical sensor and biosensor for detecting two mental health biomarkers: serotonin, (5-HT), which is associated with depression, and microRNAs, whose levels vary significantly in patients with suicidal ideation (for example, miRNA-1202). The sensor exhibited high selectivity when tested against a mismatched miRNA sequence, underscoring its specificity. Biological fluids including cerebrospinal fluid and blood serum were also evaluated to mimic real-world clinical conditions. Overall, the sensors showed strong reproducibility, selectivity and sensitivity. Angela also investigated simultaneous detection using different redox markers for the 4WJ biosensor. Future research could expand biomarkers in pathways affected by structural variants known to alter gene regulation in mental disorders.

(Manassas, Virginia)聽

of Manassas, Virginia, examined the connection between smartphone use and mental health, focusing on phubbing, the act of using a phone during face-to-face interactions. The behavior affects an estimated 75% of smartphone users and has been associated with depression, loneliness and relationship dissatisfaction. To better understand its impact, Atiksh conducted a randomized control trial involving 132 adults, 62% 聽of whom were female, observing existing social groups in public spaces over sessions averaging 75 minutes.

This research demonstrates a novel contingency management approach to reducing phubbing, with potential applications in cafeterias, events and other social settings. Findings also suggest that interdependent group dynamics, not incentives alone, may play an important role in driving behavioral change.

and (Kingshill, U.S. Virgin Islands)聽

, both 17, of Kingshill, U.S. Virgin Islands, thought about mental health in space. Their project proposes an adaptive modular lunar habitat designed to support astronaut psychological well-being through integrated environmental design and AI-assisted monitoring. Mental health is a critical factor in mission success, particularly during long-duration space exploration, where astronauts face isolation, confinement, stress and delayed communication with Earth. The habitat features a scalable geometric structure that allows seamless expansion while reducing environmental monotony and promoting mental stimulation. Functional modules include living, research, communal and operational spaces. Supporting technologies, including motion sensors, circadian lighting that mimics Earth鈥檚 day-night cycle, and a wearable heart rate variability (HRV) wristband, monitor sleep, behavior and stress through a centralized dashboard. Together, these systems enable earlier detection of behavioral and emotional changes, offer a more proactive approach to mental health support than current methods.

and (Peachtree City, Georgia)聽

In their translational medical science project, , both 16, of Peachtree City, Georgia, created a medicated chewing gum to using passionflower as a potential treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Passionflower has long been studied for its calming properties, in part because it contains naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids, helping to regulate brain chemicals linked to anxiety. Their research explored whether these compounds could be successfully extracted from passionflower and incorporated into a medicated chewing gum while preserving their therapeutic effects. The results were statistically significant, suggesting the compounds remained effective in this form and pointing to a potentially accessible new approach to anxiety relief.

You can find more 2026 Regeneron ISEF finalists鈥� projects focused on mental illness and health here. Also, if you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, you can call NAMI at 1-800-950-6264 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST or text 741-741 to connect with a crisis counselor, available 24/7. You can also call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for help.

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