Brookhaven Lab Awards 2026 Elementary School Science Fair Winners

May 21, 2026

UPTON, N.Y. – Students from across Suffolk County showcased science projects at the 2026 Elementary School Science Fair Competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory on May 16.

The annual competition challenges students in kindergarten through sixth grade to think critically and investigate a question by using the scientific method or engineering process. This year, Lab staff and local teachers volunteered as judges to evaluate 255 projects submitted by students who won the science fairs held at their own schools. Science fair organizers announced winners and honorable mentions from each grade level.

“We’re very excited to welcome everyone to the Lab today,” Michele Darienzo, educational programs administrator from Brookhaven’s Offices of Workforce Development and Science Education (WDSE), said during an awards ceremony. “Our judges enjoyed reading through your projects and were impressed with your questions, ideas, and designs. We certainly have some future scientists and engineers in the room with us today.”

Students explored hypotheses about the world around them, their hobbies, favorite foods, and more.

On the topic of animals, one Science Fair participant asked, “Can dogs predict the future?” Another wondered, “How do cuttlefish react to pictures?”

Some students delved into the science behind their favorite sports. A lacrosse player used physics ideas to seek out the best way to cradle a lacrosse ball. A baseball fan searched for a solution to protect baseball cards from humidity.

Other projects connected to fundamental science concepts at the core of research at Brookhaven Lab.

Third grader Kennedy Budiarjo wanted to learn how magnetic force works and tested three types of magnets to find the strongest one. He glued string to each magnet, then dipped each magnet into a bowl of paper clips, counted how many paper clips each magnet picked up, and then repeated the process three times. 

“I learned that the neodymium disc magnet is the best and the ceramic bar magnet was the least strong,” Budiarjo said. “I thought the horseshoe magnet would be the strongest.”

Second grader Zoe Ameneiros took on an engineering challenge of building a set of hydraulic arms that could pick up objects and move from side to side. Besides the fun of putting her project together, one of the best parts was decorating the hydraulic “claws” with stickers.

“I learned that hydraulics are really strong,” she said.

The Science Fair is one of many ways students gain an introduction to Brookhaven Lab, its world-class facilities, and the problem-solving research conducted at the Lab.

“We are very proud to be able to build programs that create pathways for all of our students to have access to National Laboratory programs, the science that we do, and the DOE mission,” WDSE Manager Aleida Pérez told students, adding later, “Keep asking questions, keep being curious, keep thinking outside the box. That’s what makes scientists and engineers do what they do best.”

Students who earned first place in their grade level received medals and ribbons, along with banners to hang at their school to recognize the achievement. All participants received a ribbon in recognition of having won their grade-level competition at their school.

Science Fair Awards

Kindergarten

First place: “Locomotive Train Travel” by Parker Anderson, Brookhaven Elementary School

Honorable mentions:

• “Flower Power” by Raegan Munro, Pines Elementary School
• “Growing Gummy Bears” by Aria Williams, Charles E. Walters Elementary School
• “The Sticky Project” by Raphael Ruggiero, Verne E. Critz Elementary School

First grade

First place: “Marker Battle: Which Lasts Longer?” by Bryson Searles, Westhampton Beach Elementary School

Honorable mentions:

• “How do cuttlefish react to pictures?” by Mikayla Saleh, Cayuga Elementary School
• “The Fluffiest Pancake” by Owen Miyagishi, Park View Elementary School
• “An Apple a Day Keeps the Browning Away” by Johanna Vaccaro, 5^th Avenue Elementary School

Second Grade

First place: “Can a Magnet Make Something Walk?” by Patricia Bean, Forest Brook Elementary School

Honorable mentions:

• “Let’s Go Fly a Plane” by Grady McHugh, Pines Elementary School
• “Maglev vs. Wheel Train – Which Train Travels the Longest Distance?” by Florenzo Tambasco, Charles E. Walters Elementary School

Third Grade

First place: “What Type of Surface Allows the Least Erosion?” by River Barrett, Park View Elementary School

Honorable mentions:

• “The Greatest Parachute” by Madeline Forbes, Hampton Bays Elementary School
• “Baseball Cards vs. Humidity” by Daniel Burke, Cherry Avenue Elementary School
• “The Battle of the Bats” by Ethan Cohn, Bretton Woods Elementary School
• “Beach Busters: Stopping Erosion” by Kenley Montpetit, Westhampton Beach Elementary School
• “How Strong is your Money?” by William Hale, Aquebogue Elementary School

Fourth Grade

First place: “Hear It in Your Bones” by Gabrielle Opisso, Cutchogue East Elementary School

Honorable mentions:

• “Eggcellent Bioplastics” by Advika Arun, Pines Elementary School
• “Man vs. Machine” by Evan Loughlin, Wading River School
• “Firewood Face-Off – The Heat is On!” by Matthew Ingram, Ocean Avenue School

Fifth Grade

First place: “Bio-Metrics Under Pressure – Testing the Effectiveness of Fingerprint Sensors Against Artificial Molds Made from Craft Materials” by Vincent Calvanese, Pines Elementary School

Honorable mentions:

• “Marine Shells Under Acid Attack” by Logan Wagner, Forest Brook Elementary School
• “Bacteria Concentration” by Nathan Ramsundar, Lincoln Avenue Elementary School

Sixth Grade

First place: “EcoSheild – Which Plant Extract Protects Metals from Corrosion in Salt Water?” by Taran Sathish Kumar, Hauppauge Middle School

Honorable mentions:

• “The Science of Hydration – A Comparative Efficacy Study” by Daksh Manu, Hauppauge Middle School
• “Wind at Work” by Levi Beaver, Raynor Country Day School

Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit science.energy.gov.

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