SEAGATE INSPIRES MN STEM STUDENTS WITH GENEROUS STATE SCIENCE FAIR AWARDS 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[ST. PAUL, MN, April 7, 2023] -- More than 300 middle and high school students from 50+ schools across Minnesota competed in the 86th annual Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF) on March 24 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Participating students advanced from regional science fairs throughout Minnesota to participate in this prestigious state event, which is organized by the MInnesota Academy of Science (MAS).

Seagate, a long-time sponsor and supporter of SSEF, is the statewide event’s premier sponsor. “We are continually grateful for Seagate’s long tradition of supporting STEM education and student research in Minnesota,” said MAS Executive Director Lara Maupin. “Seagate’s sponsorship is critical to our ability to bring this important opportunity to our state’s top science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students.”

Dozens of companies and organizations, including Seagate, awarded more than $15,000 in cash prizes and other awards. STEM professionals, including employees at Seagate, served as volunteer judges, reviewing student projects to provide feedback and determine award winners, including:

The Seagate Excellence in Science Mentoring Award spotlights two outstanding science educators who find creative ways to nurture students’ interest in scientific research and discovery. Karissa Baker (an educator at St. Paul Academy and Summit School) and Sydney Lundell (a mentor at John Adams Middle School) each received $1,000 and a Seagate portable hard drive. Their schools will also receive $1,000. 

The Seagate Rising Star Award recognizes two emerging student scientists whose projects not only exemplify excellence but also demonstrate high degrees of difficulty, complexity, innovation, and effective communication. High school student Mina Adabag (Minneapolis) received a $2,000 award and a Seagate portable hard drive for her research project titled Lead’s Butterfly Effect: Determining the impact of Lead Pollution on Danaus plexippus and Pieris rapae. Middle school student Rathan Duggirala (Rochester), received a $1,500 award and a Seagate portable hard drive for his work on De Novo Synthesis of Bio-Paint Using Bacteria; Analysis of Spectral Trends and Comparison to Commercial Paint.

Seagate also recognizes excellent scientific research conducted by students competing for the first time with the Seagate Emerging Scientist Award. The top 10% of first-year students at the fair receive trophies.

To see the full list of award winners, visit mnmas.org/2023-ssef-awards.