Second Annual Science Fest Showcases Innovative Research, Exhibitions

Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science recently hosted its second annual Science Fest throughout the Breezeway on the Boca Raton campus. The April 12 event brought over 1,000 elementary and middle school students, Florida Atlantic students, and community members together to experience fun, free science-related exhibitions and interactive games.

“Science Fest is an exceptional way to celebrate the college’s diversity of scientific disciplines and the variety of contributions from our faculty and student researchers, as well as inspire the next generation of scientific problem solvers,” said Charles E. Schmidt College of Science Dean Valery Forbes, Ph.D. “I am grateful to our partners and supporters throughout the university and the greater community who help us in our mission to make science more accessible.”

During the festival, guests explored a wide range of interactive displays and hands-on demonstrations from dozens of exhibitors. They also had the opportunity to walk through FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute’s life-size whale, visit a robotic petting zoo, courtesy of the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science, and compete for prizes in a scavenger hunt. Other exhibitors and partners included departments and programs within the Schmidt College of Science and units around the University, as well as Manatee Lagoon, FAU Research Park, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, local nature centers, Florida Public Archaeology Network, FAU Stiles Nicholson Brain Institute, and more.

A judged undergraduate student poster competition, generously sponsored by the Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Award, was also held during the festival. Dozens of undergraduate students showcased their research projects within the Schmidt College of Science to compete for $2,000 in award funding. The event concluded with the presentation of awards by Dean Forbes and Dr. Shaw.

The winners of the 2024 Dr. Eric Shaw Excellence in Science Undergraduate Research Awards are:

$1,000 First Place Winner

Nicholas McInchak, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

“Developing Better Fluorescent Cholesterol Probe”

Mentor: Maciej Stawikowski, Ph.D.

$600 Second Place Winner

Teagan Duenkel, Department of Geosciences

“Inlet-Adjacent Beach and Shoreline Variability at Decadal Scale”

Mentor: Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D.

$400 Third Place Winner

Adrianna Tran, Department of Biological Sciences

“Interleukin-1 Type 1 Receptor (IL-1R1) Is Implicated in Emergence and Severity of Progressive, Generalized Tonic/Clonic Epilepsy in a Transgenic Mouse Model”

Mentor: Dr. Ceylan Isgor (Schmidt College of Medicine)

The festival also included a courtesy research poster exhibition area for FAU Honors College and FAU High School students. These future scientists engaged with the public to discuss their research and develop valuable science communication skills.

Learn more about the Schmidt College of Science’s Science Fest.