Lehigh University Welcomes Emerging Scientists for the 36th Annual Lehigh Valley Science and Engineering Research Exhibition
Every March, students from Northampton and Lehigh Counties swarm our university's Rauch Fieldhouse for the Lehigh Valley Science & Engineering Research Fair (LVSF). Established in 1991 with Bob Haines '79's generous support, and backed annually by his continued generosity, this event offers students from grades 6 through 12 a chance to explore their scientific and engineering passions through original research.
Jill Forrest, our university's academic outreach director and LVSF's chief, believes that LVSF offers students a unique opportunity to dive deep into their scientific pursuits. After 12 years of LVSF, she keeps getting amazed by the innovative projects these young minds bring to the competition each year.
In 2023, 185 projects prepared to compete at the fair held on March 14-15. A panel consisting of Lehigh alumni, faculty, staff, graduate students, representatives from the medical and technology sectors, and volunteers evaluated these projects. The judges questioned the students about their research and deliberated to determine the winners.
Tom McAndrew, an assistant professor in Lehigh's Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science, returned for a second year of judging last year's impressive student projects. "I was floored by the intelligence and creativity with which the students approach a wide range of challenges," McAndrew confessed. "I wanted to volunteer to better understand the curious minds of sixth to twelfth graders, but I came back this year because I genuinely loved the students' work."
Dylan Shropshire, a biological sciences assistant professor, shared McAndrew's curiosity about how young scientists tackle issues across various fields. "Volunteering as a judge offered me an unusual perspective on the scientific problems our society faces," Shropshire told us. "As a seasoned researcher, it's easy to become jaded. But the students' excitement for their research keeps me grounded and shows the importance of fostering the passion for science in the younger generation."
The LVSF is part of 13 regional fairs from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, with winners advancing to the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF). From there, 14 winners advance to the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), where they contest against students from around the world.
For her final science fair, Aashka Sevak, a senior at Emmaus High School, presented her research in various categories, ranging from chemistry to physics and environmental studies. Over the years, Sevak has represented her school in multiple science fairs, offering her unique insights into the scientific world.
"Competing in the fair has expanded my understanding of the science realm," Sevak confessed. "I've made incredible memories, met wonderful people, and have accessed opportunities that I wouldn't have otherwise. I feel grateful that eighth-grade me made the decision to participate."
Sevak's journey at LVSF has inspired her to major in biology this fall, focusing on the pre-medicine track, with aspirations to research cancer or diabetes.
For the past three decades, Alan Flory, an engineer from Iron Horse Environmental, has witnessed students such as Sevak develop a keen understanding of the scientific method through projects often inspired by personal experiences. Flory, who started judging in 1995, has seen LVSF grow greatly in that time. "It's often hard to see younger generations as industrious, curious, and scientifically minded when all you see on the news is chaos," Flory said. "But observing the LVSF competition and the dedication of the judges each year provides hope that our future is in good hands, with Lehigh nurturing and rewarding these young scientists' curiosity."
If you're interested in learning more about the Lehigh Valley Science & Engineering Research Fair, visit https://lvsf.lehigh.edu/ or contact Jill Forrest at [email protected].
Article by Jessica Jackson
- The Lehigh Valley Science & Engineering Research Fair (LVSF) invites students from various disciplines, including arts, education-and-self-development, and online-learning, to join the event and engage in science and engineering research.
- Jill Forrest, the academic outreach director at the university and chief of LVSF, encourages students to use technology to further their research projects that span across the fields of science, health, engineering, and arts.
- Lehigh alumni, faculty, staff, and graduate students, as well as professionals from technology and medical sectors, serve as judges during the LVSF, which provides students with an opportunity to collaborate with experts beyond their curriculum.
- The winners of the LVSF can advance to the Delaware Valley Science Fair (DVSF) and, subsequently, the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF), where they compete against students from around the world, promoting a global learning environment.
- Far beyond the competition, the LVSF provides students with invaluable opportunities to connect with like-minded peers, alumni, and professionals, fostering a lifelong passion for science and engineering and preparing them for careers in these fields.
- Success stories such as Aashka Sevak, a senior at Emmaus High School who discovered her love for biology through the LVSF, demonstrate the transformative role that the fair plays in inspiring students and shaping their future careers in science, engineering, and related disciplines.
