Nearly 140 students from across Maine participated in the Maine State Science Fair on April 30. It was The Jackson Laboratory’s first year hosting and coordinating the competition, which took place at the company’s Bar Harbor offices.
Students presented the results of their research on a variety of topics, from environmental science and biofuels to classical physics and astronomy.
Greely High School student Michelle Kahn won the grand prize — a paid summer internship at The Jackson Laboratory — for her project examining the factors that contribute to the breakdown of oil.
Maine Department of Education science and technology specialist Anita Bernhardt offered the following remarks on behalf of Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen:
Congratulations to all students who are participating in this year’s Maine State Science Fair. I would also like to say thank you to the parents, teachers, and community members who have supported you, and to The Jackson Laboratory for assuming the leadership of this important event.
I wish I could be here in person to see the culmination of your research and experimentation.
I hope that the personal interests reflected in the work that you are presenting at today’s Maine Science Fair lead you to pursue careers as technologists, engineers, health care professionals and economists. Careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics will provide the knowledge and skill critical to solving some of society’s most difficult problems. Maine is counting on each and every one of you.
Resources and more information
- Anita Bernhardt, science and technology specialist
Maine Department of Education
207-624-6835
anita.bernhardt@maine.gov - More on the Maine State Science Fair from The Jackson Laboratory
- List of winners
- News coverage from WLBZ 2