STUDENTS FROM 26 SCHOOLS COMPETE IN REGIONAL STEM COMPETITION
Over 80 high schoolers present research, six will compete in Nationals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[ST. PAUL, MN, April 1, 2021] -- More than 80 students showcased their original research in the North Central Regional Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS). JSHS is an annual science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research paper competition for high school students in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. 

The competition was hosted virtually by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) from March 23-30. MAS announced the JSHS finalists as well as winners for the concurrent virtual Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) through a live award ceremony and at mnmas.org. 

2021 JSHS students researched engineering cost-effective ventilators, detecting astronomical dwarfs, and sought solutions to global issues such as breaking down plastic. “We are extremely proud of the students who participated in JSHS this year for showing extraordinary commitment to their research projects,” said Program Director Sara Gomez. “We would also like to commend their teachers and parents for encouraging engagement in STEM during such a challenging school year.”

2021 NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL JSHS FINALISTS:

FIRST PLACE ($2,000): Emma Kratcha (Hankinson High School, North Dakota), Soil Farms: A New Approach to Cropland Restoration

SECOND PLACE ($1,500): Dominic Greco and Benjamin Kroul (Breck School, Minnesota), Mighty MOFs: Using Novel Catalysts to Produce Components of Recyclable Plastics

THIRD PLACE ($1,000): Jennifer Oettinger (Mayo High School, Minnesota), Where the Rubber Meets the Road: The Development of an Innovative, Reusable, and Energy-Efficient Filter for Microplastics Created Through Tire Wear

FOURTH PLACE: Christine Song (Mayo High School, Minnesota), Cure of Breast Cancer - Year 4: The First Discovery of New Target Therapy for Aggressive Hormonal Breast Cancer using Clinical Database and 3D Model

FIFTH PLACE: Atreyus Bhavsar (The Blake School), The Spread of Macroscopic Droplets from a Simulated Cough with and without the Use of Masks or Barriers

FOR A FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS, VISIT MNMAS.ORG OR SEE mnmas.org/2021-jshs-awards. 

North Central JSHS is one of dozens of regional symposia annually serving more than 10,000 students in the United States. Students advanced to this regional-level competition after evaluation by research paper review teams across Minnesota and the Dakotas. They competed for scholarships and the chance to participate in the National JSHS competition administered by the National Science Teaching Association. The 2021 National JSHS will be held virtually April 14-17. At the national level, 245 students compete for significant scholarship awards.

North Central JSHS is a program of the Minnesota Academy of Science sponsored by the National Science Teaching Association on behalf of the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Additional support comes from the Minnesota Department of Education, Seagate Technology, General Mills, and the Hardenbergh Foundation.

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Participating schools:
Al Amal School
Breck School
Burnsville High School
Century High School
Cloquet Senior High School
Cromwell-Wright
Duluth East High School
Eastview High School
Eden Prairie High School
Grand Rapids High School
Hankinson Public School
Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial
Minnesota Math and Science Academy
Mayo High School
Minnetonka High School
Mounds Park Academy
Mounds View High School
Orono High School
Park Christian School
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School
Sacred Heart School
Shattuck-St. Mary's School
Shakopee High School
St. Paul Academy and Summit School
The Blake School
Wayzata High School