Three Elisabeth Morrow School seventh graders impressed judges at the Bergen SciChallenge on Sunday, May 31, 2026, tackling advanced scientific concepts beyond their grade level and earning top honors and a national competition nomination.
Competing against other middle school students at Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, Nathan B., Varsha G., and Sadie P. showcased independent, months-long research projects that they designed and executed on their own during winter and spring elective periods.
The sophisticated topics chosen by the students set them apart. Nathan B., an asthma sufferer, utilized an advanced, multivariable machine learning approach to quantify environmental injustice and predict asthma risk across New Jersey census tracts. Varsha G. and Sadie P. engineered an eco-friendly method for microfiber extraction and tested how shifting temperature dynamics affect extraction efficiency using processed okra and fenugreek polysaccharides.
The depth of the students’ work created a buzz during the judging rounds. While projects are typically evaluated by a small panel of three to five experts, Nathan’s presentation drew a crowd of eight judges. The impact of his research extended well beyond the academic floor: one of the evaluating judges was so impressed by the real-world utility of Nathan’s data that they provided him with the direct contact information for a New Jersey state senator to reach out to regarding his findings.
Heading to the National Stage
Perhaps the most significant achievement of the day was Nathan’s official nomination to compete at the national level in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.
This is the nation’s premier STEM competition for middle school students, a highly prestigious honor reserved only for the top tier of student-scientists in the country. To support him on this next step of his journey, Nathan has already been assigned an advisor who will guide him through the official national application process as he prepares to take his research to the national stage.
Award Recognition
The Elisabeth Morrow School took home honors during the final ceremony, sweeping top placements in the highly competitive Environmental Sciences category:
- Nathan B.: Awarded first place in Environmental Sciences. He also earned the Top Honor Medal for placing in the top 10 percent of the competition (one of only 13 selected from 175 participants). Additionally, he took home two special distinctions: the Translational Care Award (Most Potential in the Application of Treatments, Tools, and Devices) and the Nexus Award (Best Interdisciplinary Method in Biological Sciences).
- Varsha G. & Sadie P.: Awarded third place among all participants in the Environmental Sciences category for their innovative botanical extraction research.
THE EMS Journey
This level of success speaks directly to the structure of the Morrow House curriculum, which prioritizes student agency, hands-on inquiry, and real-world leadership skills. Middle school science teachers Stephanie Nebel and Rita Papagian, who heard a preview of the presentations on Sunday morning, noted the immense dedication required to reach this level.
“What stood out to us was their willingness to try different strategies and explore new ideas,” says Papagian. “They were curious and persistent in refining their work.”
Nebel adds, “We are so proud of Sadie, Varsha, and Nathan! Their success speaks to the strength of student-directed research here at EMS as well as a strong science program throughout their EMS education, which seeks to foster student curiosity, engagement, and an understanding of the natural world.”
Cultivating Leadership and Independent Thinking
Reflecting on their journey, Varsha and Sadie emphasized that a mix of deep personal interest and careful planning was the secret to their success.
“You have to be passionate about it,” Varsha explains when offering advice to other students tackling big research questions. “And you need to pace yourself.”
Sadie agrees, adding that thorough preparation is what gives a scientist their confidence. “Look at the problem deeply and do a lot of research. Prepare ahead of time so that when you stand in front of the judges, you realize you are the expert on your topic.”
Both students credited specific EMS experiences with giving them the tools to handle public speaking and think critically under pressure. They shared that their time in the Leadership Lab, working on projects like Shark Tank, and student government directly prepared them to think like leaders who care about their school and the broader community.
“The EMS curriculum really helps us learn how to think independently,” Varsha says. “Our teachers help us along the way by giving us the space we need to explore, while always being right there to assist us whenever we need it.”
Learning to Pivot and Adapt
Nathan credits his time at EMS with giving him the foundation to navigate both the rigorous judging panel and the trial-and-error of the scientific process.
“EMS taught me how to communicate my ideas and think critically instead of just memorizing rigid scientific methods,” he shares. “Because of the support and expectations at EMS, I learned how to stand by my data and defend my methodology. When I was speaking to the eight different judges during the competition, I felt confident, having a genuine conversation about a problem I care deeply about.”
Reflecting on the challenges of developing the project, Nathan adds, “When things don’t work out, the most important thing to do is pivot the project and adapt it… I learned to embrace data inconsistencies and trust the scientific process. Failed attempts not only changed my experiment, but it was a step towards building my final, real solution. Embrace mistakes!”
Congratulations to Nathan, Varsha, and Sadie — you have made EMS immensely proud!
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