A Science Fair Partnership Sparks Creativity

The fifth annual Gonzaga–Washington Jesuit Academy (WJA) Science Fair took place last Friday, showcasing weeks of collaboration, creativity, and scientific discovery between students from both schools.

This partnership pairs Gonzaga students with WJA eighth graders, giving younger students the opportunity to work alongside high school mentors as they develop their science projects. Over the past two months, Gonzaga students traveled weekly to WJA, guiding their partners through brainstorming ideas, conducting experiments, and refining presentations.

Led by student coordinators Lucas Requeijo '27 and Alessandro Rozo '27 and moderated by faculty member Mr. Drew Radford, this year’s fair featured 25 teams presenting their projects to a panel of three guest judges. The event demonstrated students’ innovative thinking, preparation, and effective presentation skills.

Congratulations to the winners Marquite Whitaker & Nicholas Zafiropulos '27 for their Homemade Electromagnetic Motor.

Runners Up:

Best Construction goes to The Hydraulic Drawbridge by Robeson Wells & Nicolas Sands
Best Real-World Applications goes to The Effect of Increased Mass on the Distance a Maglev Train Travels by Dylan Tucker & John Stubner
Most Differentiated goes to The Effect of Constructive and Destructive Interference over Distance by Rayyan Kadir & Ellis Beavers
Best Scientific Method goes to The Effect of Gear Size on Metal Car Speed by Davion Jackson & Connor Meeker

Special thanks to our guest judges: Dr. Samir Balile, R.Ph., Pharm.D., Elizabeth Clayborne, MD, and Ciana Deveau, PhD.

Click here to view the program and list of projects and enjoy the photos from the event!