Kennett Square, PA - The Society for Science has announced that two Unionville High School (UHS) students, Arjun Praphulla Suryawanshi and Lilly Zhang, were among the top 300 Scholars in the 2024 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS). UHS is the only high school in Pennsylvania-- and one of only 49 high schools in the United States-- with two or more Scholars to receive this prestigious recognition.

 Suryawanshi and Zhang will each receive $2,000. In addition, UHS will receive $4,000 for STEM-related activities. 

Each year, thousands of students enter Regeneron STS, submitting original research in critically important scientific fields of study. This year, Regeneron STS Scholars were selected from 2,162 applicants at 712 high schools across dozens of territories, states and nations. Scholars were chosen based on their exceptional research skills, commitment to academics, innovative thinking and promise as scientists.

“My research project gave me a great opportunity to dive into bioengineering, confirming that it's the field I will continue pursuing in college and beyond,” stated Suryawanshi. “The idea for this project initially started as a casual thought while at a summer camp. So being recognized by the Regeneron Science Talent Search Semifinalist award for converting that thought into a thorough project has also given me confidence in my research and innovation skills.”

Suryawanshi, a senior at UHS, titled his winning project: ArmLev — A Low-Cost, Wearable and Dual-Mechanism Arm-Stabilizing Device Aimed To Mitigate Tremors.

“I engineered a two-part mechanical device, called ArmLev, to assist tremor patients. Tremors affect millions around the world and can be the product of specific conditions,” shared Suryawanshi. “The ArmLev is low-cost and made with accessible materials, potentially allowing it to be mass-produced for patients globally.”

Zhang, also a senior at UHS, titled her winning project Urban Heat Island Mitigation With Aerogel Composites. It presents a solution to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. 

“My project investigates the effectiveness of aerogel-paint and aerogel-cement composites in mitigating UHI effects,” she said. “Through my research, the aerogel composites demonstrated great potential as cheap and accessible solutions to mitigating urban heat.”

Zhang says that she is honored. “I am so incredibly grateful to my parents, to my mentor, Professor Scherer, and to Ms. Kanski from Unionville High School for all their support and guidance throughout my research project.”

“The Unionville High School family is so proud of Lilly and Arjun and their outstanding research experiences,” reflected Principal Dr. Amy Jenkins. 

“Lilly and Arjun's intrinsic motivation, curiosity of the inner workings of the world and ability to solve problems will ensure they are future change makers and contributors to Science,” added Biology teacher Meghan Kanski.  

Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Executive Publisher of Science News, joined Jenkins and Kanski in congratulating the Scholars. “We received a record-breaking number of applications this year; interest in this prestigious competition is at an all-time high. I am truly impressed by the quality of the projects and the ingenuity that each student brings to the competition. Their diligence, passion and perseverance should be celebrated.”

For more information on the Regeneron Science Talent Search, including a full list of scholars, visit societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/