Academics
Science and Engineering Fair
Hands on Science
Research is one of the cornerstones of a Falmouth Academy education. Scientific research requires creativity, precision, skill, patience, and organization. Our annual Science and Engineering Fair showcases research projects from every student in grades 7-11, and electively in grade 12. Many of our students have been mentored by scientists from local institutions (WHOI, MBL, McLane Laboratories) as they have pursued more specialized and original research for their projects. As the culminating event in their extended inquiry, students present the results of their projects to multiple scientist judges, who question them about their methodology, results, and conclusions. After the results are tabulated, an awards ceremony recognizes top prizewinners who advance to the Regional Science Fair, and then hopefully earn bids to the State Science Fair at MIT and beyond.
Our students have displayed an enviable record of success in science fair competition, garnering 163 top prizes at the State Science Fair, 19 invitations to the International Science and Engineering Fair, and 15 semifinalist and finalist spots in national research-based science competitions, including Intel, Siemens, and Westinghouse.
In 2021 the FA Science and Engineering Fair was held virtually in spite of the pandemic. Thirteen students went on to present projects at the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair, and two of them received first-place awards. Sarah T. ’22 won for her analysis of the “Distribution of Deep-Sea Red Crabs in Gilbert Canyon” and Gus M. ’24 won for the study of the “Efficiency of Stepped and Non-Stepped Planing Hulls.”
In 2021 the FA Science and Engineering Fair was held virtually in spite of the pandemic. Thirteen students went on to present projects at the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair, and two of them received first-place awards. Sarah T. ’22 won for her analysis of the “Distribution of Deep-Sea Red Crabs in Gilbert Canyon” and Gus M. ’24 won for the study of the “Efficiency of Stepped and Non-Stepped Planing Hulls.”
In 2019, three students won a first-place prize at the MA Science and Engineering Fair held at MIT. Congratulations to Noah G. '21, Emma K. '19, and Saniya R. '21. Noah was invited to present at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, AZ, in May.
In 2018, Emma K. '19 advanced to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and won 2nd place in the microbiology division for her project, "Bioprospecting for Benthic Fungi and Their Bactericidal Antibiotics." In 2017, Théo G. '17 and Charlie F. '18 won a 2nd place award in Engineering Mechanics, a 1st place NASA Special Award, and a 3rd place Society of Experimental Test Pilots Special Award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Congratulations to the 2022 FA S&E Fair award recipients including:
Sofia M.'22 was awarded first place and received the A. Lawrence Peirson III Scholarship given by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for her project, “Bacteroides and Salmonella in Infants Born Vaginally and via C-Section.”
Schedule a visit to see science-in-action and to learn about the FA program from our current students and teachers. Want to learn more, please inquire for more information.
Congratulations to the 2022 FA S&E Fair award recipients including:
Sofia M.'22 was awarded first place and received the A. Lawrence Peirson III Scholarship given by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for her project, “Bacteroides and Salmonella in Infants Born Vaginally and via C-Section.”
Emily L. '24 was awarded first place from the Marine Biological Laboratory for her project, “Designing and Evaluating Improvements to Denil-Type Fish Ladders.” She also received the Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuary First Place Upper School award given in honor of Donald Zinn.
Ben G. ’23 was awarded first place by Sea Education Association for “Assessing the Distribution of Asian Shore Crabs on Woodneck Beach” and received The Robert B. Gordon Upper School Award for independence and creativity in research.
Benjamin A. ’24 was awarded second place for “An Exploration and Comparison of Various Energy Storage Methods.”
Clara A. ’24 was awarded second place for “The Effect of Different Concentrations of Bacillus thuringiensis on the Growth of Manduca sexta.”
Ned H. ’23 was awarded second place for “Testing the Area Efficiency of Various Turbine Designs in a Wind Tunnel” and the H. Walcott Brown Award for technical ingenuity, scientific curiosity, and engineering aptitude.
Julietta M. '25 was awarded third place for “Studying Deepsea Fungi in Sediments to Determine Antibiotic Production.”
Gus M. '24 was awarded third place for “Modeling the Sea Breeze Effect and Comparing to Local Weather Data.”
Evan F. '24 was awarded third place for “Therapeutic Treatment of Bleaching in the Coral Species A. poculata” and received the newly established Woodwell Climate Change Award for Upper School.
For a full list, please click the yellow link on the right.
For a full list, please click the yellow link on the right.
Schedule a visit to see science-in-action and to learn about the FA program from our current students and teachers. Want to learn more, please inquire for more information.
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FA Students Excel in Science Fair Competitions
- 11 semifinalists and 4 finalists in national research-based, high school science competitions, including Intel, Siemens, and Westinghouse.
- 19 invitations and 17 awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair, most recently in 2019.
- 163 top prizes (1st, 2nd, 3rd) at the MA State Science and Engineering Fair at MIT.
- A Falmouth Academy junior was named the Virgin Galactic Pioneer Award Winner at the 2016 Google International Science Fair.
- 11 students have published scientific research in scholarly journals while attending Falmouth Academy.
"Falmouth Academy regularly wins more first-place prizes than any other public or private school of its size in the MIT State Science Fair competition." —The Boston Globe
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"For me, it's about real-world applicability. I need to have a sense of how what I'm doing might make a difference." —Natalie Todd-Weinstein
2022 Science & Engineering Fair Projects
"FA S&E Fair provides students with the opportunity to explore science and technology topics that they might not in a regular science class if it wasn't required."— Zach '22
Student Profile
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