Special Awards

The Willowcroft Science Endowment Fund is the result of a donation in excess of $200,000 by Lewis Parker, long time RSEF supporter, and the owner and winemaker at Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, Loudoun’s first commercial winery. Mr. Parker generously added funding to the Willowcroft Science Endowment in 2009, and invites other members of the scientific community to participate.

The Willowcroft Science Endowment Fund permanently endows the Loudoun Education Foundation with an annual income stream restricted for use in support of Loudoun County Public Schools Regional Science & Engineering Fair (RSEF), for which Mr. Parker has a special passion developed through years of meaningful involvement. The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties invests and manages the endowment, and makes charitable distributions to the Loudoun Education Foundation which administers grants for the sciences.

“I really believe that science is the future for our county and our country” said Mr. Parker. “We need to motivate and support the kids who have an interest in science and the teachers who help them. I hope to be able to add to the fund in the future and that others will also contribute directly, or through this endowment.”

“Support for the project comes from Mr. Parker because he feels it is extremely important to keep open an outstanding creative path for high school students excelling in the sciences and scientific research and to also reward their mentors,” said Odette D. Scovel, RSEF Director. Among other scholarships offered by Willowcroft Science Endowment, the Willowcroft Science Award is given to an RSEF student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the sciences. The student chosen for this honor is awarded a $5,000 scholarship. A teacher is also awarded $5,000 in recognition of the support and mentoring they provide to students. Scovel continues, “Mr. Parker’s support of the science fair over the past 30 years has been wonderful for our students and teachers. His generosity is amazing, and we are thrilled to be the recipients of this gift for the regional science and engineering fair.”

Mr. Parker has supported the Willowcroft Award since 1991, the first year the award was given. After the award interviews in 2021, Mr. Parker decided to increase the endowment, once again, so that it would be possible to recognize and support additional students and teachers. Beginning in 2022, the Willowcroft Award will be given to two students and two teachers each year.

Members of the community are invited to contribute to the Willowcroft Science Endowment Fund. Those interested should contact Dawn Meyer, Executive Director of the Loudoun Education Foundation, 571-252-1102 or visit the LEF website at http://lef-va.com/.

The Anthony Colosi Memorial Award for Science is a $1000 scholarship given in memory of a life-long learner whose special loves were science and sports.

Tony was born with Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disease that progressively weakens the muscles. Before Thomas Jefferson High School, Tony attended Sugarland Elementary and Seneca Ridge Middle School in Loudoun County. As an Echols scholar at the University of Virginia, Tony graduated with degrees in physics and math. In his first year of graduate work in astrophysics at Penn State Tony's illness worsened and he returned home. Advances in medical technology and the Internet allowed Tony to continue studying the world in disciplines from Astronomy to World Series pitching strategies.

For Tony, the scientific process was a beacon light, a Sherpa for life. He lives on now in those remote destinations that only the curious will reach.

The Society for Science & the Public is a champion for science, dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education and scientific research. They are focused on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, educate, and inspire. They provide $100 Aspiring Scientists Awards for deserving students to encourage them to participate in future LCPS Regional Science and Engineering Fairs. This award is not split among team projects. Sponsors for the Aspiring Scientists Awards are:

Diversified Education Systems, Inc IT Cadre Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Leidos

Loudoun Education Foundation Project Geospatial RiskSpan Inc.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is given to the best aerospace related projects. Winners receive a $25 Cash Award, a invitation to the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center Mission Design Lifecycle 2021 Summer Experience, and AIAA Student Membership

The American Industrial Hygiene Association provides awards for projects demonstrating outstanding research in the subject of Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety.

The American Legion Children and Youth Award ($250) is given to the project that increases the awareness of Huntington's disease, autism, Reye's syndrome, meningitis, Spina bifida, diabetes, cancer and other debilitating conditions.

The American Psychological Association honors exemplary research in Psychological Science with the American Psychological Association Award.

The ASM Materials Education Foundation awards certificates to exemplary research in Materials Science

Quality projects in science and engineering related to disciplines within the realm of work done at Rockwell Collins are awarded the Collins Aerospace Award. Winners of this award receive a Dell laptop and accessories.

The Echo Ridge LLC Science and Engineering Innovation Award comes with a $100 gift certificate and celebrates exceptional creativity, ingenuity, design, and methodology.

The Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the only environmental organization whose focus is to protect and preserve our section of the Blue Ridge. Other than the Appalachian Trail Corridor, it is the only part of the Blue Ridge that is privately owned and under threat. This award ($100) is chosen based on quality of project and relevance to the Blue Ridge Mountains, ecosystem.

The Federal Water Quality Association Award recognizes those projects that show exemplary work focusing on water quality studies, water pollution controls or issues.

The Geological Society of Washington Award honors outstanding projects related to earth, environmental, or planetary sciences.

Exemplary work use of mapping, GIS, and/or spatial analysis is recognized by the Loudoun County Office of Mapping and Geographic Information with the Geospatial Analysis Award ($100 e-gift card).

The Gnosis (pronounced “no-sis) Solutions National Security Scholarship ($1000) is awarded to the project that demonstrates the best promise for enhancing the national security of the United States of America. The concept of national security includes both military and non-military threats such as terrorism and crime, as well as economic, energy, environmental and cyber security.

The Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers, Incorporated offers three awards. The IEEE Technology Achievement Award provides a certificate to outstanding projects in STEM disciplines. The IEEE Technology Excellence Award goes to projects that show excellence in the understanding or application of electrical engineering and related technologies. The IEEE Technology Innovation Award goes to a project that shows Innovation in the understanding or application of electrical engineering and related technologies.

The IT Cadre Innovation Award is presented to the science fair entry that not only produced good science, but also hinted at that jaw dropping awe that inspires other people. It challenges the boundaries of what is possible by combining things that people already know into something that has not been seen before.

IT Cadre is happy to present this award since combining ideas everyone was familiar with into something no one had thought of before was the foundation of this Loudoun county based company. So, out of mutual respect and in recognition of the talent and hard work involved, IT Cadre is pleased to present the 2021 IT Cadre Innovation Award ($250).

The Keep Loudoun Beautiful Award is awarded to projects that best fit the KLB mission to promote solutions to environmental challenges.

The Loudoun Soil & Water Conservation District offer the following three $100 awards (not split for team projects).

• Jack Brown Award is for best project with environmental concern.

• James. M. Rowley Award is for the best project related to water quality.

• Leslie W. King Award is for the best project related to natural resources conservation

The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Award recognizes exemplary research in the fields of wildlife or habitat conservation. Honorable Mention comes with a $250 award (split between the team) and First Place for outstanding environmental or wildlife studies comes with a $500 award (split between the team).

MIT Club of Washington DC recognize outstanding achievement by 11th grade students competing in regional science fairs in the Washington DC Metro Area. This award includes a Certificate of Excellence, 1-year subscription to Technology Review, Published by MIT, a $75 stipend.

Students who have conducted a challenging, original, thorough, and creative investigation involving mathematics are recognized by Mu Alpha Theta.

NASA Earth Systems Science Award goes to the project that offers the greatest insight into Earth's interconnected systems.

Students whose research has demonstrated the principles and technical Innovation that offer the greatest potential for an improved understanding of earth’s dynamic processes are recognized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Associations Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award.

The Potomac Geophysical Society award honors outstanding projects related to earth, environmental, or planetary sciences.

The Regeneron Biomedical Science Award ($500) recognizes students who show exemplary fortitude and exhibited alignment to the five principles of The Regeneron Way: Lead with Science, Take on Big Ideas, Make it Happen, Be Great Together, and Do What’s Right.

The Ricoh Award recognizes students whose research has demonstrated the principles and technical Innovation that offer the greatest potential for Sustainable Development.

Projects that have best demonstrated an appreciation for the role science and engineering have in the conservation of a healthy environment for native plants and animals are awarded the Secret Garden Wildlife Awareness Award. This award comes with a certificate and $100.

The Society for In Vitro Biology Award is for outstanding project in cell or plant tissue culture or in vitro biology.

United States Air Force Award recognizes students with exemplary research in STEM fields.

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize honors water related projects and comes an entrance into the Stockholm prize competition.

The USPHS Distinguishing Achievement in Medicine & Public Health Award for clearly and thoroughly demonstrating creative ability, scientific thought, and independent skill to address issues relevant to public health.

The Virginia Lakes & Watersheds Association Award recognizes a project related to watershed and water resources management, and/or storm water projects as they relate to water quality investigations with a $100 award ($75 each for team projects).

The Yale Science and Engineering Association Award goes to the most outstanding project in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics or Chemistry.