The Beverly Hills Unified School District had 96 students, representing 57 projects, from all five of the district’s schools, participate in the middle and high school Science and Engineering Fair, held at Beverly Hills High School on Nov. 8.

Beverly Vista eighth-grader Leia Gluckman was the middle school second-place winner. (photo courtesy of the Beverly Hills Unified School District)

“Last year we had only 13 middle and high school students participate in Beverly Hills Science Fair while this year there were over 100,” said Nathan Kruger, Beverly Vista parent and science fair organizer. “By separating the middle and high school fair from the K-5 fair we were able to focus on recruiting older students and preparing them for the L.A. County and California State Science Fairs in the spring. Competing in all these events not only gives the students a unique opportunity to refine their scientific thinking and public speaking skills, it also builds BHUSD’s reputation as a leader in STEM education.  Our goal is to make BHUSD the #1 STEM district in the State!”

Students from Beverly Vista School won the overall first, second and third place awards for all middle schools.

Eighth-grader Anna Polin impressed the judges with her project “My Brain Can Smell: Making a Formula with Different Smells to Help Students with Autism.”

Beverly Vista eighth-grader Leia Gluckman and sixth-grader Colby Gilardian came in second and third place respectively.

Beverly Vista eighth-grader Sienna Wolfe partnered with ninth-grader Noah Pals to compete at the high school level, and the team took home overall first place (best in show) for the high school with their project: “Reducing Overdose Deaths from Prescription Medications: Does Analyzing Brainwave Activity in Response to Smell Demonstrate New Treatment Possibilities for Pain and Anxiety?”

Tenth-graders Y-Thien Lam, Julie Wang, Connie (Yutzu) Chang won second place overall in the high school competition, and 11th grader Gagan Mannur placed 3rd.

The event is put on by a dedicated team of parents, teachers and professionals in the community, and funded by the Beverly Hills Education Foundation.

“I never felt that I was equipped to give my son the type of feedback on his project that he needed, but when he met with the judges they really understood him and gave him such great feedback,” said Tara Leigh, mother of a participant and event organizer. “It was like a light went on for him after meeting with the judges.”