The 
(WVDE) hosted 260 students at the 2025 West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair (WVSEF) at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center recently. Budding scholars and scientists from grades 3 through 12 presented approximately 200 exhibits in categories including chemistry, technology, plant science, engineering, robotics and more, impressing the judges with their knowledge and demonstrations.
This annual fair provides opportunities for students to logically question the world around them and explore creative and resourceful solutions. Participating students learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills that can propel them to future success. The WVSEF reinforces scientific methodology and thinking, strengthening students’ reading, writing, and mathematics skills.
The WVSEF also acts as an entry point for Mountain State high school students to qualify for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which will be held this May in Columbus, OH. Manvitha Sanjaya from George Washington High School in Kanawha County, Pavan Subramani from Morgantown High School in Monongalia County and Maya Panta from Woodrow Wilson High School in Raleigh County were selected from this fair to compete at ISEF.
“The West Virginia Science and Engineering Fair offers our students the autonomy and opportunity to delve deeply into the world’s most challenging questions,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “This event encourages West Virginia’s future thought leaders to expand their skills, explore their passions and create pathways to enlightenment and achievement.”
The competition resulted in 121 elementary, middle and high school student winners. Greenbrier County students placed in the following categories and divisions:
Division I, Animal Science
1st: Grayson Grimes, Harrison County, Cracking the Code of Hen Egg Production
2nd: Brenna Richards, Ohio County, Can Dogs Understand Words or Are They Just Reacting to Sounds?
3rd: Hayes Hileman, Greenbrier County, FerAppease: Is it helpful for weaning?
Division I, Behavioral and Social Sciences
1st: Milyn Neumann, Greenbrier County, Can Humans Identify Images Generated by Artificial Intelligence
2nd: Madison McCutcheon, Ohio County, Can Humans Recognize AI Generated Images From Real Ones?
3rd: Rosyln Tidd, Scotlin Snell, and Ruby Brozenick, Harrison County, Ready, Set, Placebo!
Division I, Chemistry
1st: Eleni Karnoupakis and Willa Collins, Ohio County, Skin Deep: Comparing Moisturizers
2nd: Zadaya Bolyard, Preston County, Power in Heat Protection
3rd: Titan Hale, Boone County, Meltdown: A Race to Chill Water the Fastest
HM: Mace Dolan-White & Maddix Dolan-White, Greenbrier County, Heartburn Neutralizers
Division I, Material Science
1st: Presley Cline, Greenbrier County, Ice Cream Cups
2nd: Lyndsay Nichols, Clay County, Do Colors Affect Temperature?
3rd: Taryn Sullivan, Preston County, The Best Cush for Your Tush
HM: Rebecca Daniels, Wyoming County, Nailed It!
Division I, Medical Sciences
1st: Gianna Bryant, Jackson County, We Eat Nails for Breakfast
2nd: Sophie Garlic & Ava Roberts, McDowell County, Stop, Drop & Roll: The 5 Second Rule
3rd: Sawyer Blankenship, Finn Blankenship, & Willow Hendrick, Greenbrier County, You Look Just Like Your…
HM: Emma Lyda, Morgan County, Turn the Beat Around
Division I, Physics and Astronomy
1st: Zooey Brown, Mercer County, The Shape of Sound
2nd: Carter Lemon, Wood County, The Mystical Flight of the Arrow
3rd: Myles Goodman & James Goodman, Cabell County, Spin to Win: the Science of Beyblades
HM: Will O’Brien, Greenbrier County, Dragster Track Surfaces and Friction
Division I, Plant Science
1st: Daniel Mills, Berkeley County, This is Bananas
2nd: Daniellle Osborne, Roane County, Seed Starter vs Potting Soil
3rd: Charlotte Peplowski & Jocelyn Peplowski, Greenbrier County, Growing In The Rhythm
HM: Bruce Belcher, Lynkon Wellman, & Gabriel Elkins, Mingo County, Do Plants Get What They Need?
