Catholic school students received half of the nearly 50 awards given this month at the virtual Vermont Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fair.

“It is a tremendous honor for our students and a credit to their families, teachers and schools to have achieved such tremendous success at the Vermont State STEM Fair,” said Jeanne Gearon, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Burlington. “The accomplishments of these students are a testament to the valuable work being done within our Catholic schools. Their successes are a blessing for their respective school community as well as to our Diocese as a whole.”

This blessing is made brighter in light of the many challenges that have faced education during the past year, she continued. “My sincerest admiration goes out to each of these students and my deepest thanks are extended to the principals and staffs of our schools as well as to the students’ families for all of the support and guidance they have provided.”

The Vermont STEM Fair is an inquiry-based poster presentation competition open to all middle and high school level students in Vermont.

It is an opportunity for aspiring scientists (grades 5-12) to showcase the results of their independent research. Each year more than 100 student projects addressing all areas of science, technology, engineering and math are judged by at least three judges who include scientists, secondary education faculty, dentists, physicians, nurses, military personnel and retirees, and other science-related professionals from throughout Vermont.  Students compete for prizes donated by local organizations and scholarships to Vermont colleges.

Among the 2021 Vermont Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fair award winners were:

VSTEMF Gold Medalists

Madeleine Robinson, Mater Christi School, Burlington

Markus Hammer, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski

Indira Oquendo, Christ The King School, Rutland

VSTEMF Silver Medalists

Marissa Cross, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski

Kaitlyn Zierak, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski

Jacob Jepson, Christ The King School, Rutland

Kate Larkin, Mater Christi School, Burlington

Kaitlyn Murphy, Christ the King School, Burlington

Jake Broe, Mater Christi School, Burlington

VSTEMF Middle and Junior High School Agricultural Award

The VSTEMF, in recognition of the importance of agriculture to Vermont’s economy, presents a $200 award for the top project in middle or junior high school conducting agricultural research. Kaitlyn Murphy, Christ the King School, Burlington

American Chemical Society Green Mountain Local Section

Three prizes are awarded for projects in any area of chemistry. The top chemistry project receives $100, and the next two projects each receive $50. Projects from all grades are eligible.

First place winner: Markus Hammer, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski

Second place winners: Jackson Kitts, Christ The King School, Rutland

Mia Jepson, Christ The King School, Rutland

Society of Women Engineers —North Country Section

This award recognizes three girls whose outstanding projects involve engineering, physics, computer science or math. Each award comes with a SWE certificate and a check for $50.

Kate Larkin, Mater Christi School, Burlington

Kaitlyn Murphy, Christ the King School, Burlington

Lemelson Early Inventor

The Lemelson Early Inventor Prize is an award for the top inventor among the 6th-8th-grade students competing at the fair this year. This prize comes with a $100 prize and certificate. Kaitlyn Zierak, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski

Broadcom Masters

These students represent the top 10 percent of projects in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. They have won a chance to compete in Broadcom MASTERSTM (Math, Applied Science, Technology, and Engineering for Rising Stars), a program of the Society for Science and the Public.

Mia Jepson, Christ the King School, Rutland

Markus Hammer, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski

Kate Larkin, Mater Christi School, Winooski

Kaitlyn Murphy, Christ the King School, Burlington

Anne LaMantia, Mater Christi School, Burlington

Marissa Cross, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski

Indira Oquendo, Christ the King School, Rutland

The US Navy and Office of Naval Research

A letter of congratulations, a certificate and a medallion are awarded to the two top projects in any area, grades 6-8.

Anne LaMantia, Mater Christi School, Burlington

Lillian Collins, Mater Christi School, Burlington