Congratulations to our science teacher, Mr. Mark Pendergrass, and the 14 students in grades 6-8 who represented Mater Christi School at the 2025 Vermont Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fair at Norwich University on Sunday, March 16: Ella Botten, Adele Carta, Tara Clogan, Abigail Del Piero, Esther Gray, Rachel Hershey, Evan Keech, Anna Larkin, Eloise Moses, Cabby Ostrander Francesca Paula, Nora Schottel, Will Winters, and Clara Zhang.
Mater Christi students were recognized with 16 awards:
- Ella Botten — U.S. Navy Science Award, Mary Hoppe Memorial Award, Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Award, and Vermont STEM Fair Gold Medal Award (project in the top 10% of all entries)
- Tara Clogan — Lemelson Early Inventor Prize, Vermont STEM Fair Engineering Award, Society of Women Engineers High Honor Award, and Vermont STEM Fair Silver Medal Award
- Esther Gray — Society for Women Engineers Award of Honor
- Anna Larkin — Viatris Excellence Award and Vermont STEM Fair Silver Medal Award
- Eloise Moses — Society of Women Engineers High Honor Award
- Cabby Ostrander — Vermont STEM Fair Engineering Award and Vermont STEM Fair Silver Medal Award
- Nora Schottel — Vermont STEM Fair Silver Medal Award
- Clara Zhang — NAACP STEM Award
Congratulations to all!
According to their website, the Vermont Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fair is “an exciting opportunity for aspiring scientists (grades 5-12) to showcase the results of their independent research. Each year 100+ student projects addressing all areas of science, technology, engineering and math are judged by at least three judges. Our judges include scientists, secondary education faculty, dentists, physicians, nurses, military personnel and retirees, and other individuals from science and engineering professions from across Vermont. Students compete for prizes donated by local organizations and scholarships to Vermont colleges. The fair is also affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).”
