More than 400 parents, students, school staff and other AACPS community partners recently gathered at Marley Middle School to celebrate the participants of the 2025 Innovators of Science and Engineering Challenge (ISEC), a science-based competition providing practical opportunities for elementary students.
The competition, held on May 3, included over 150 students from 42 elementary schools vying for first place in either the Research Expo or Innovators Olympics. Student scientists and engineers in the Research Expo presented to judges about their projects that had already earned school level recognition. Innovators Olympics participants competed in five STEAM based stations. Students worked hard to earn recognition in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
Petra Soliman and Kristen Stevens of Central Elementary School earned the Grand Award for the Research Expo with their project, “Real vs. AI: Can Humans Tell?”
Sylvia Blanco and Evan Lall of South Shore Elementary School earned the top team honor for the Innovators Olympics after receiving the highest total score in the five stations.
Students from across the county also earned special awards from AACPS and private supporters, including the AACPS Environmental Literacy Office, the AACPS Career and Technology Education Office, the AACPS Elementary Mathematics Office, the AACPS Triple E Office, the AACPS Advanced Learner Program Office, and Legends of Learning.
Shortly before the awards announcements, the crowd was treated to a science magic show by esteemed performer Joe Romano and sponsored by The Education Foundation of Anne Arundel County Public Schools.