Jack Andraka Wins County Science Fair, Again

North County High School sophomore Jack Andraka, who took first place at last year's Anne Arundel County science fair, has impressed again by taking the grand prize for two years in a row.

Andraka gained national attention last year from scientists and pharmaceutical companies for his inexpensive sensor that accurately detects pancreatic cancer. He went on to share the grand prize at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

This year, Andraka impressed county judges yet again with his project "The Tricorder: A Novel Raman Spectrometer for Real Work Applications."

He will again head to ISEF in Phoenix, along with 1,500 other students worldwide. He'll have a chance to win a $75,000 grand prize or several other awards.

"Our Science Fair is a great opportunity for students to play the 'research game' and show what they know about the enterprise of doing science," said AACPS Coordinator of Science Rochelle Slutskin. "This year's projects demonstrated great talent and creativity not only in the questions students asked, but in the depth of research involved."

South River High School sophomore Anna Sappington won the second place grand prize for an investigative project studying triclosan–a chemical used in toothpaste, soaps and disinfecting products–and the potential toxicity to aquatic invertebrate organisms. Sappington will also be going to ISEF in May.

For the full list of Anne Arundel County science fair honorees, see the document attached above.