PLEASANT HILL, Calif. - Three Contra Costa County students received individual recognitions at the 71st-annual California Science & Engineering Fair held last month. There were over 850 participants that presented 720 projects and represented 343 schools from throughout the state.
"Congratulations to these students for their placement at the California Science Fair," said Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools
Lynn Mackey. "It is a great accomplishment to be able to stand out among so many from around the state. And congratulations to their schools, teachers and community that have supported them along the way and continue to foster the their interest in science."
Neel Redkar, an 11th grader at Dougherty Valley High School (San Ramon Valley Unified School District), won first place in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Senior Division category. His project was titled, “CarbNN: A Novel Active Transfer Learning Neural Network to Build De Novo Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Carbon Capture.” He went on to compete as a finalist at the Regenron International Science and Engineering Fair this month.
In the Junior Division, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School (Moraga School District) eighth-grader
Lucas Katz-Carreno’s project, “Mini Marine Rescue Vessel System,” placed second in the Applied Mechanics and Structures category. He also won the $100 Lemelson Early Inventor Award, given to the best young inventor creating a promising solution to real world problems. The Lemelson Foundation sponsored the award in partnership with the Society for Science. He is eligible for the Broadcom MASTERS competition taking place in October 2022.
Also receiving honorable mention recognition in the the same category and division was
Tristan Dos Santos Getas, a seventh grader from West Contra Costa Unified School District’s Fred T. Korematsu Middle School with a project titled, “Does the Number of Fins Affect the Altitude Reached By a Rocket?”
The California Science & Engineering Fair draws students from throughout the state in grades 6-12. Judging was held virtually and nearly $60,000 in prizes were awarded.