Students from Los Alamos Public Schools pose for a photo on the campus of New Mexico Tech prior to the start of the 2024 New Mexico State Science and Engineering Fair. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

Students from across the state converged on the New Mexico State Science and Engineering Fair last Saturday at New Mexico Tech, including 19 students from Los Alamos Public Schools.

“The students worked hard and I am very proud of them,” County Science Fair Director Eva Abeyta said. “They represented Los Alamos well.”

Los Alamos High School students Helena Welch and Tate Plohr qualified and will be attending the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles, Calif. in May.

Congratulations the following students who received awards at the competition:

Junior Division

Animal Science, 3rd place: Andres Trujillo, Los Alamos Online Learning Academy
Chemistry, 3rd place: Ellen White, Piñon Elementary
Chemistry, Honorable Mention: Nora Whitton, Piñon Elementary
Chemistry, Honorable Mention: James Work, Barranca Mesa Elementary
Engineering, 1st place: Natan Svyatsky and John Fung, Los Alamos Middle School
Mathematics, 2nd place: Linus Plohr, Los Alamos Middle School
Physics & Astronomy, 2nd place: Kalliope Welch (homeschool)
Systems & Software, Honorable Mention: Patrick Avery, Piñon Elementary

Special Awards

Linus Plohr: 3rd place Paper Competition
Ellen White: American Chemical Society
Jane Smith: NM Network for Women and CO2 Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Honorable Mention)
Benjamin Minko: Association for Women Geoscientists
Brandon Keller: CO2 Greenhouse Gas Reduction (1st place)

Senior Division

Mathematics, 3rd place: Helena Welch, Los Alamos High School
Physics & Astronomy, 2nd place: Tate Plohr, Los Alamos High School

Special Awards

Brayden Allen: Climate Change NM, US Air Force, and CO2 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Award (1st place)
Helena Welch: NM Network for Women in Science & Engineering