2025 Science Fair Winners Announced
NEARLY 200 STUDENTS COMPETED, 2 CHAMPIONS ON THEIR WAY TO ISEF
Photography by @anneoftheforest and Soliman Photo & Video
Nearly 200 students from 23 schools in Lancaster and Lebanon counties gathered at Millersville University on Thursday to show off their science projects at the North Museum Science & Engineering Fair. The students were vying for a chance to compete against 1,500 of their peers from around the world in May at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio. The fair’s junior division had 125 student competitors, while the senior division had 57. The regional competition, which North Museum hosts annually at MU, is one of six fairs associated with the international competition, and the top two projects in the senior division proceed to the world stage at no cost to the students.
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(LANCASTER) March 13, 2025—North Museum congratulates all the students who competed at the 72nd annual North Museum Science and Engineering Fair, presented by Arconic Foundation! Our heart-felt thanks to the judges, coordinators, teachers, sponsors and all who make this fair a STEM success! Congratulations Ansh Dwivedi, Grand Champion, and Ethan Albright, Senior Division Champion, for winning top honors! They have both earned a place at the ISEF to compete with 1,700 of their peers from around the world! North Museum is honored to pay for registration, fees, travel, and accommodations for its two Champions.
For all senior and junior division category winners, visit our Science and Engineering Fair Winners Page.
2025 Grand Champion
Ansh Dwivedi, Warwick High School, 12th Grade
Category: Chemistry, Energy, & Materials Science
Senior Division Champion
Ethan Albright, Hempfield High School, 11th Grade
Category: Earth & Environmental Sciences
Senior Division Reserve Champion
Ella Strickler, Elizabethtown Area High School, 12th Grade
Category: Earth & Environmental Sciences
Junior Division Champion
Alden Hendricks, Lancaster Country Day School, 8th Grade
Category: Plant Science
Junior Division Reserve Champion
Jermaine Edwards, Lancaster Country Day School, 8th Grade
Category: Earth Science
Photography by: Soliman Photo & Video
Registration Open for North Museum Science & Engineering Fair
Registration Opens for North Museum’s Science & Engineering Fair
Lebanon County school teachers and students invited to join 73-year-old competition!
(LANCASTER)—Registration for participation in the North Museum’s Science and Engineering Fair (NMSEF) is now open for Lebanon County teachers and adult sponsors. For the first time in its 73 years, the Science and Engineering Fair, presented by the Arconic Foundation, is open to Lebanon County school students in addition to the students of Lancaster County’s 20 schools, resulting in a forecasted record-setting number of competitors. All student registrations are free of charge and open to students in grades 6 through 12 from public, private, charter, online, parochial, and home schools. The competition will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Millersville University.
Teachers and students in grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to note these submission deadlines: Now through October 21, 2024, teachers may confirm their intent to participate. Students may submit their registration form from October 1 through October 21, 2024. Teachers/adult sponsors are advised to directly assist students as they complete the registration form. North Museum will also offer support to all educators wishing to assist students in finding a project, developing a research plan, and supporting student research.
The inclusion of Lebanon County students marks the NMSEF’s expansion to a regional fair, joining Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg’s Capital Area events as Pennsylvania’s four regional science and engineering fairs. As one of six fairs in Pennsylvania affiliated with the world’s largest pre-college competition, the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the NMSEF’s top two students’ projects from the senior division earn a place at the ISEF to compete with 1500 of their peers from around the world. The North Museum pays for registration, fees, travel and accommodations for its two Champions. Lebanon County has no similar competitive science and engineering event.
“The North Museum is thrilled by the generosity of the Arconic Foundation, and their ongoing commitment to supporting access to STEM education opportunities for students in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties,” says Scott Downs, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships. “We continue to be grateful for the financial support we receive from the many sponsors of the NMSEF, as well as the outstanding contributions from our judges, volunteers, and participating teachers and students.”
Presenting sponsor Arconic Foundation’s $50,000 grant will have a crucial impact on central PA’s student scientists. Businesses interested in sponsorships may contact Scott Downs, Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships. Community volunteers are also needed to assist at the event and may contact sciencefair@northmuseum.org.
North Museum’s resident astronomer, Cole Penkunas, commented,
“As a former Warwick High School student, the NMSEF was the pinnacle of my STEM education each year. The competition was formidable and prepared me for the demands of thesis fulfillment at The Pennsylvania State University, where I focused my research on very massive stars, particularly luminous blue variables, Wolf-Rayet stars, and their possible link. I’m excited to see what the young scientists in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties will bring to the competition this year!”