Thousands of Georgia middle and high school students packed the Classic Center auditorium in Athens, GA on March 24 for the awards ceremony of the Georgia Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF). The event, hosted by GPB’s Stephen Fowler and live streamed online, showcased hundreds of winners.

GSEF is a culmination of many months’ hard work and the progression through several local and regional rounds of competition, and GPB extends tremendous congratulations to all of the participants. Awards included cash prizes, shiny plaques, and brand new tablets. 

Above: Stephen Fowler, producer and back-up host of GPB's All Things Considered, announces the winners during the live awards show.

Though there were many awards presented during the two-hour long ceremony, the following were given to the top projects, including four that will be presented at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF):

Pinnacle Winner

Marissa McAfee, South Forsyth High School

Casualty Care Improvised Direct Pressure Adjunct

Intel ISEF Trip Winners

Saadh Ahmed, Northview High School

Development of a Drug-Likeness Rule for Natural Products

Marissa McAfee, South Forsyth High School

Casualty Care Improvised Direct Pressure Adjunct

Divya Srinivasan, Johns Creek High School

Acoustic Signatures: A Novel Tool to Detect Muscle Myopathy

Joseph Zhang, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology

Expression of Arginase in Colitis During Recovery Confirms MDSC

Click for a full list of winners!

Above: GSEF Intel ISEF Award winners (L to R) Joseph Zhang, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology, Marissa McAfee (Pinnacle Winner), South Forsyth High School, Divya Srinivasan, Johns Creek High School, Saadh Ahmed, Northview High School

This year, ISEF will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, from May 13-18, 2018. These four winners will join approximately 1,800 high school students from more than 75 countries, regions, and territories for the opportunity to showcase their independent research and compete for approximately $4 million in prizes.

About GSEF

GSEF is Georgia’s premier forum for students to showcase their original research, compete for awards, and interact with top-level professional scientists. The science fair system in Georgia serves not only to recognize students for their achievements, but also to prepare students to succeed and flourish in an increasingly complex and highly technical world by becoming problem solvers, critical thinkers, reflective learners, and more productive and influential members of their communities. GSEF is held annually in March/early April at the Classic Center in downtown Athens, Georgia.