Reading-Berks Science and Engineering Fair winners announced

David Mekeel, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·1 min read

Mar. 18—Close to 500 students from across Berks County gathered at Albright College last week to show off their scientific knowledge and skills.

The Bollman Gymnasium was filled with rows of poster board displays as the venue played host to the 72nd annual Reading-Berks Science and Engineering Fair. The event is the second-oldest science fair in the U.S.

Students in grades six through 12 were able to take part in the fair, competing in either the senior division (grades nine through 12) or junior division (grades six through eight).

All three of the champions of the senior division have earned a chance to represent Berks County at the International Science and Engineering Fair this May in Los Angeles. The international fair will include about 1,700 students from more than 75 countries, regions and territories and prizes totaling $4 million.

Here are the students to take home the top prizes at this year's event:

Senior division grand champion

Sindura Sridhar, Wilson High School, "Investigation of Ciliary Function in Hardikar Syndrome."

Senior division campion

Paige Hinkle, Wilson High School, "How Sugar Substitutes Affect Amyloid-Beta Plaque Aggregation."

Senior division reserve champion

Tyler Ferenz, Daniel Boone High School, "The Influence of Visible Light on the Consumption Rate of Expanded Polystyrene by the Zophobas Morio Larvae."

Eighth-grade champion

Scarlet Neider, Conrad Weiser Middle School, "The Effect of the Rachis and Calamus of Different Bird Feathers on Bioplastic Production."

Seventh-grade champion

Kirra Tanaka, Saint Catherine of Siena School, "Where There's Fire..."

Sixth-grade champion

Cooper Sellars, Conrad Weiser Middle School, "The Effect of Bat Construction on How Far a Hit Baseball Travels."