TWO ROCHESTER STUDENTS WIN PRESTIGIOUS SEAGATE RISING STAR AWARDS IN STATE SCIENCE FAIR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [ST. PAUL, MN, April 8, 2021] -- Judges at the 84th annual Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) awarded two Rochester students prominent Seagate Rising Star Awards. Christine Song, a sophomore at Mayo High School, won the high school Seagate Rising Star Award for her project, Cure of Breast Cancer - Year 4: First Discovery of New Target Therapy for Aggressive Hormonal Breast Cancer using Clinical Database and 3D Model. Annika Bartucz, an eighth-grader at Kellogg Middle School, won the middle school Seagate Rising Star Award for her project, Airfoil Efficiency. 

Presentation videos, as well as full SSEF results, are available at mnmas.org.

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. In addition to a Seagate hard drive and trophy, the high school winner receives a $2,000 award, while the middle school winner receives a $1,500 award. 

In addition to the two Rising Star Awards, Seagate also recognizes excellent scientific research conducted by students competing for the first time with the Seagate Emerging Scientist Award. Seagate also sponsors the Excellence in Science Mentoring Award, given to two science teachers who have found creative ways to nurture students’ interest in scientific inquiry and promote science education in their schools. 

The 2021 SSEF was hosted virtually by the Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) from March 23-30. At a live award ceremony on March 30, Seagate representative Nikki Shaffer announced the Seagate Rising Star Award winners. Ms. Shaffer congratulated and encouraged all the SSEF participants, remarking “we need the best and brightest students, students like you, to help shape the future of this country.” 

Seagate is a long-time sponsor and supporter of the SSEF, and is one of the event’s premier sponsors. “Seagate’s ongoing support is instrumental to encouraging science education and student research in Minnesota,” said MAS Executive Director Lara Maupin. Employees at Seagate served as volunteer judges during the SSEF, reviewing student projects from home to provide feedback and determine award winners. 

#     #     #

The Minnesota State Science & Engineering Fair is a program of the Minnesota Academy of Science sponsored by Seagate Technology, the Minnesota Department of Education, Ecolab, Broadcom Foundation, General Mills, and the Hardenbergh Foundation.

Emily Shepard, MAS Communications Specialist
Sara Gomez, SSEF Program Director
Lara Maupin, MAS Executive Director