Akilan Sankaran ’25 and Sowmya Sankaran ’27 both took first place in their categories at the New Mexico State Science and Engineering Fair, with Akilan finishing second overall in the senior division and Sowmya placing second overall in the junior division.
Audrey Finkelstein took home an honorable mention.
All three students will compete in the Broadcom National Science Fair in June, and Akilan will take part in the International Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta.
Students Advance to State Science Fair
March 30, 2022
All three Academy students participating in the Central New Mexico STEM Research Challenge will be taking their projects to the state event. Each student designed and conducted an original research project on a topic that interests them. At this in-person event, they had the opportunity to share their work with judges and fellow students, and all were recognized with multiple honors.
Akilan Sankaran ’25: Modifying the ABC’s of Number Theory
- Qualified for State Science Fair, Broadcom Masters National Science Fair, and International Science and Engineering Fair
- 1st place senior division grand award winner
- 1st place junior computer and mathematical sciences
- Mu Alpha Theta Award and Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union Award
- Mentored by David Metzler
Audrey Finkelstein ’27: How Does the Color of an Object on the Landing Board of Beehives Affect the Time It Takes for Bees to Notice It, and Does Temperature Affect This Time?
- Qualified for State Science Fair and Broadcom Masters National Science Fair
- 2nd place junior earth and environmental sciences
- BlueHalo CASE Award, Explora Science Award, and OE Solar Award
- Mentored by Elliot Wilkinson
Sowmya Sankaran ’27: Building a Wind Tunnel to Analyze the Aerodynamics of Cars
- Qualified for State Science Fair and Broadcom Masters National Science Fair
- 1st place junior division grand award winner
- 1st place junior energy and transportation
- American Association of University Women Young Scientist Award, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Award, Regional Research Challenge Junior Encouragement Award, BlueHalo CASE Award, Chalmers Ford Award, and New Mexico Gas Company Award
- Mentored by Elliot Wilkinson