The results of the 32nd annual Great Women in Engineering and Science Essay Contest are in. The competition was fierce again this year with an outstanding 82 entries from 13 schools in Colorado and Wyoming. A panel of 14 volunteer judges enjoyed reviewing all of the essays. Congratulations to every entrant!
 
The top three awards are a $75, $50, and $25 prize in addition to the science kit and science book awarded to the honorable merit and honorable mention recipients. The top three award winners are listed below in no particular order. Their prizes will be announced at the Society of Women Engineers Rocky Mountain Section award banquet to be held on April 28, 2019. The following students will receive a personal invitation to the event:
 
Chloe Grant of Parker, CO for her essay on Christine Darden. Chloe attends 6th grade at Parker Core Knowledge Charter School and was sponsored by teacher Mrs. Heather Puckett.
 
Henry Bae of Parker, CO for his essay on Hertha Aryton. Henry attends 6th grade at Parker Core Knowledge Charter School and was sponsored by teacher Mrs. Heather Puckett.
 
Mireyli Langston of Littleton, CO for her essay on Grace Hopper. Mireyli attends 6th grade at Arrowwood Elementary and was sponsored by teacher Mr. Matt Rogers.

School Awards: This year five schools will receive the school library award for outstanding participation in the essay contest. To qualify for this award a school must submit essays from at least 20% of the 6th graders in the participating classes. The books provide information on women engineers and scientists. These excellent references will support teachers and classrooms in future research, not only for this contest, but also for other scientific, historical, or biographical projects.
 
The aim of the school library award is two-fold: to supply 6th graders throughout Colorado and Wyoming with research materials and to encourage teachers to include the essay contest in their curricula in order to expose all of their students to the significance and opportunities of science-related careers. The schools receiving awards this year are:

•  Arrowwood Elementary, Highlands Ranch, CO
• Chugwater School, Chugwater, WY
• Norwood Middle School, Norwood, CO
• Parker Core Knowledge Charter School, Parker, CO
• Sargent Elementary School, Monte Vista, CO

 Honorable Merit Awards: Five students will receive Honorable Merit Awards this year. This year’s prize is a Snap Circuits Jr. electronics kit. The Honorable Merit award recipients are:

• Erica Martch                          
  Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
• Grayson D. Givens                
  Sargent Elementary School
• Kunj Arora                              
  Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
• Sabrina Landman                  
  Redlands Middle School
• Mayah A. Stephens               
  ​Sargent Elementary School

 Honorable Mention Awards: Ten students will receive Honorable Mention Awards this year. This year’s prize is the book 101 Great Science Experiments by Neil Ardley. The Honorable Mention award winners are:

• Emerson Carwin                    
  Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
• Ruby Stewart                         
  Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
• Alexandra Graf                      
  Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
• Audrey Whitmore                   
  Parker Core Knowledge Charter School
• Brooks Hamlett                      
  Arrowwood Elementary
• Liam T. Ellithorpe                   
  Sargent Elementary School
• Kylie Schwarzkopf                 
  Rock Ridge Elementary
• Rylyn Woolley                        
  Arrowwood Elementary
• Elecia White                           
  Peakview School
• Lucas J. Garcia                     
  Sargent Elementary School

All participants will receive a certificate of participation and a participation prize.
 
Thank you to the panel of judges who spent their valuable time reviewing the essays. Without their commitment, this contest would not be possible.