Boston Public Schools student researchers demonstrated their science and engineering prowess at Northeastern University during the 77th annual Boston STEM Fair held earlier this month.

On March 4, Northeastern’s Curry Student Center became the site of a city-wide expo for tomorrow’s great scientific minds, who proudly showcased their research exhibits to an audience of judges, volunteers, city officials and peers. 

“I was so impressed with the STEM projects that many of our students presented to members of our community,” Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper said. “It is clear how much time and effort they have put into these projects and all that they have learned from working with their STEM teachers to develop and test hypotheses, analyze data and develop critical thinking skills through the process.”

A partnership between Boston Public Schools, BoSTEM and Northeastern University’s Center for STEM Education, the annual science fair gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their problem-solving skills by tackling a range of STEM-related topics.

“Our young scientists and engineers from schools across the city of Boston were eager to participate in the 77th annual Boston Science STEM Fair,” Claire Duggan, executive director of the Center for STEM Education, said. 

Northeastern has been hosting the Boston Public Schools Science Fair for over a decade, with the university’s City and Community Engagement covering the cost of rental fees. The Center for STEM Education helps with the recruitment of judges. Many Northeastern faculty and students volunteer, including to help judge the contest. 

Students from grades 6-12 defended their science and engineering research projects before a crowd of more than 50 scientists and engineers. Thousands of students across the city participate in their school-level fairs, and those with the best projects are invited to display their exhibits and compete at the BPS Citywide/MA Region VI Science Fair event.

“For our nation to continue to innovate, we need to ensure all citizens are scientifically literate,” Duggan told Northeastern Global News. “It is essential we introduce students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics early—and to support and sustain their interest in and out of the classroom.”

Skipper said Boston Public Schools is “committed to expanding access to STEM education and ensuring BPS is a national leader in the field so our students are prepared to compete globally and solve the math and science challenges of the future.”

“We thank Northeastern University for its strong partnership in supporting STEM in the BPS over the years,” she said.

Tanner Stening is a Northeastern Global News reporter. Email him at t.stening@northeastern.edu. Follow him on Twitter @tstening90.