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West High Students Named National STEM Festival Champions
Two West High students have been named champions of the prestigious National STEM Festival, earning the honor of representing Utah as the state’s two delegates. Their journey to victory involved a competitive selection process, including a written application, a semi-finalist evaluation, and a video interview submission for the finals.
Beating out talented peers from West High and the region, the two students have secured an opportunity to participate in a host of exclusive events in Washington, D.C., this March. Their agenda includes social gatherings, a visit to Capitol Hill, workshops with industry and college leaders, and networking opportunities with VIPs and science mentors.
Meet the Champions and Their Projects
Aadhi Umamageswaran
![student poses for STEM award]([{"url": "/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738022815/slcschoolsorg/lngwz9jn5mg4qjs0jfj2/AadhiInsidePhoto.jpg", "width": 256}, {"url": "/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738022815/slcschoolsorg/lngwz9jn5mg4qjs0jfj2/AadhiInsidePhoto.jpg", "width": 463}])
In response to the surge of synthetic medical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic, which added an estimated eight million tons to the environment, Aadhi developed a groundbreaking solution. He created a biodegradable bandage for drug delivery made entirely from edible kitchen items. This innovative project also addresses the alarming statistic that individuals unknowingly consume 39,000 to 52,000 microplastics annually.
Ian Kim
![Student sits on steps]([{"url": "/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738022880/slcschoolsorg/woo7rkpp4twlpyrco90d/IanInsidePhoto.jpg", "width": 256}, {"url": "/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738022880/slcschoolsorg/woo7rkpp4twlpyrco90d/IanInsidePhoto.jpg", "width": 512}, {"url": "/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1738022880/slcschoolsorg/woo7rkpp4twlpyrco90d/IanInsidePhoto.jpg", "width": 800}, {"url": "/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1738022880/slcschoolsorg/woo7rkpp4twlpyrco90d/IanInsidePhoto.jpg", "width": 1200}, {"url": "/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1738022880/slcschoolsorg/woo7rkpp4twlpyrco90d/IanInsidePhoto.jpg", "width": 1600}, {"url": "/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1738022880/slcschoolsorg/woo7rkpp4twlpyrco90d/IanInsidePhoto.jpg", "width": 2200}])
Ian’s project tackles the issue of hydrofluorocarbon emissions, a significant contributor to climate change. He proposed replacing traditional liquid-to-gas refrigerants with cutting-edge phase change materials for solid-state refrigeration, aiming to revolutionize cooling systems while reducing environmental impact.
The West High community is proud of these remarkable students and their contributions to the STEM field. We look forward to their continued success as they represent Utah and inspire future scientists nationwide.