Awards

We are affiliated with Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge! What does that mean for you? The top 10% of projects that compete at the MMSSEF get to represent Maine at this national competition! In addition, our Maine students can compete for local awards.

Grand Awards

Our Science & Engineering Fair is affiliated with the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school STEM competition. The top 10% of our competitors are invited to submit their projects for consideration. The nominees are:

Lucas Forbes & Hajar Wise of Orono Middle School
How do different amounts of sleep affect processing speed and focus on a standardized test?
Nagasree Ramoju of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Wristband communication device: Pulsera comunicación dispositivo
Nola Bartke of Saint George School
What type of shell dissolves faster in acidified sea water?
Norah Rochon of Saint George School
Testing insulations
Madalynn Brichacek of Orono Middle School
The effect of different toothpastes on mouth bacteria
Ben Bishop & Finn Mckinney of Nokomis Regional Middle School
Coding a car game
Piper Burns of Orono Middle School
How does the mind differentiate between real and AI images of people?

Special Awards

Broadcom Coding with Commitment Award

The Broadcom Foundation recognizes students who combine STEM knowledge with coding/computation to help or improve their community. The winner will receive a $250 gift card and a Raspberry Pi Personal Computer Kit. The winner is:

Emma Jane Molnar Paradis of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Automatic watering system

Civil & Environmental Engineering Award

The University of Maine’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering recognizes four students exhibiting projects in the areas of infrastructure and the environment. The winners will each receive a $250 cash prize. The winners are:

Nola Bartke of Saint George School
What type of shell dissolves faster in acidified sea water?
Norah Rochon of Saint George School
Testing insulations
Sarah Premer of Orono Middle School
Rates of decomposition from different types of clothing materials
Esme Field of Edna Drinkwater School, Northport
Determining which building structure withstands earthquakes the longest

Lemelson Early Inventor Award

The Lemelson Foundation and Society for Science celebrate young inventors whose projects exemplify the ideals of inventive thinking. The winner will receive a $100 cash prize. The winner is:

Nyla Bashir of William S. Cohen School, Bangor
Vacation-proof your plants with water beads

DoD STEM Leadership Award

The Department of Defense recognizes a student or team that demonstrates excellence in STEM, as well as problem-solving skills and determination to overcome challenges throughout the research project. The winner will receive a $100 cash prize. The winning team is:

Nagasree Ramoju of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Wristband communication device: Pulsera comunicación dispositivo

Reach Award

Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance recognizes students who went above and beyond to participate in the science & engineering fair. The winner receives a $50 prize. This year’s winner is a 5th grader who judges say did a great job presenting their project:

Timothy Hanson of Van Buren District Secondary School

Category Awards

We recognize the top third of projects in each category.

Behavioral & Social Sciences

First Prize: Lucas Forbes & Hajar Wise of Orono Middle School
How do different amounts of sleep affect processing speed and focus on a standardized test?
Second Prize: Piper Burns of Orono Middle School
How does the mind differentiate between real and AI images of people?
Second Prize: Elyse Godin of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Screen time and ADHD: Are they connected?
Third Prize: Sam Reidy & Liana Martinez of Orono Middle School
What external factors, including price, origin and information about peers’ preferences have an effect on people’s decisions?
Third Prize: Ann O’Connell & Fleur Farmer of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Human reaction time

Biomedical & Health Sciences

First Prize: Madalynn Brichacek of Orono Middle School
The effect of different toothpastes on mouth bacteria
Second Prize: Ty Tweedie & Paul Pelletier of Orono Middle School
Sugary drinks vs. mouth bacteria
Second Prize: Oak Larlee of Edna Drinkwater School, Northport
It’s a real breath taker effects on lung capacity
Third Prize: Ava Robicheau & Reese Karam of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Healthy food dye

Engineering & Computer Science

First Prize: Nagasree Ramoju of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Wristband communication device: Pulsera comunicación dispositivo
Second Prize: Ben Bishop & Finn Mckinney of Nokomis Regional Middle School, Newport
Coding a car game
Third Prize: Nyla Bashir of William S. Cohen School, Bangor
Vacation-proof your plants with water beads
Third Prize: Gavin Van Meter & Silas Grey of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Nanocellulose durability test

Environmental Science

First Prize: Nola Bartke of Saint George School
What type of shell dissolves faster in acidified sea water?
Second Prize: Sarah Premer of Orono Middle School
Rates of decomposition from different types of clothing materials
Third Prize: James Boucher of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
The spread of chemicals and mineral powders in water

Life Sciences

First Prize: Harin Patel & Samuel Millertreat of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
The five second rule: Fact or fiction?
Second Prize: Michael Buzanowski, Harper Reid, & Taylen Curtis of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Rhythmic radishes
Third Prize: Blake Bridges of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
What type of sweetener makes yeast ferment the fastest?
Third Prize: Fin Cochrane of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Daphnea vs. music biological response
Third Prize: Alex Alley of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
HomeSpores

Physical Sciences

First Prize: Norah Rochon of Saint George School
Testing insulations

First Prize: Lila Burgr & Abbie Singletary of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
An investigation into bio-plastics

Second Prize: Sam Jernigan & Eoghan Carson of Orono Middle School
Does being on turf or grass make a ball bounce at a different height?

Second Prize: Tristan Luddy & Charlie Olmstead of James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Sound, pitch, frequency: What factors change?

Third Prize: Glen Avis of Orono Middle School
The effect of lace vs. palm grip on throwing distance in football
Third Prize: Anthony Lawrence of Nokomis Regional Middle School, Newport
French fried energy?