Okezue Bell '23 and Rayna Malhotra '24 competed at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS). 

The Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), the premier showcase for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) research by high school students, is pleased to announce the 2022 winners of the 60th National JSHS competition.

The Tri-Service – the Departments of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force – sponsored event was hosted by the Kirtland Air Force Base and administered by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). The first in-person national event since 2019 brought together 224 high school students and approximately 130 teachers, mentors, university faculty, military personnel, and more to compete and celebrate student achievement in the sciences.

48 national winners—announced at the awards ceremony on April 23—first presented their original scientific research at one of 49 regional competitions hosted by universities and colleges in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Department of Defense (DoD) Schools of Europe and Pacific. The top five students from each region were invited to compete at the National JSHS event as national finalists. The top two finalists in each region competed in oral presentations for the chance to win scholarships ranging from $4,000-$12,000. The remaining three finalists from each region competed in the poster competition for a chance to win cash awards. In addition to presenting their original research, students participated in lab tours, social events, and a career and reverse science fair.

Rayna Malhotra '24 and Okezue Bell '23 both had the honor of taking part in the national competition, with Okezue taking first place in the Biomedical Sciences category for his project: A Novel Anthropomorphic Myoprosthesis for Transradial Amputees.

Okezue thanks his mentor, Dr. Kish, and Mr. Deal, who have for "always supporting me in my research endeavors."

Congratulations to both Okezue and Rayna for representing Moravian Academy at this high level of competition!