Ava Bhowmik, grade 9, recently received a first place award at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Her project, which measured fluid droplet sizes and the efficacy of protective masks, was the top oral presentation in the Engineering and Technology category, earning her a $12,000 scholarship.

Sponsored by the United States Department of Defense, the National JSHS took place April 12-15 in Virginia Beach, Va., and invited 227 high school students to compete, judged by teachers, university faculty, STEM industry professionals and more. Bhowmik was among the 48 national winners who reached the national stage by participating at one of the 49 regional competitions hosted in the United States, Puerto Rico and Department of Defense Education Activity schools across the world.