Notre Dame sophomore Malini Mukherji brought home one of only six Senior Grand Award prizes handed out on March 9 after the 59th Science & Engineering Fair of Metropolitan Detroit (SEFMD) concluded its run at Cobo Center in Detroit. The topic of her science project, which was based on her International Baccalaureate Personal Project was “Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells,” in the SEFMD category of Energy: Chemical.
Mukherji was one of more than 1,100 students who competed at SEFMD, which is one of the longest running and largest science fairs in the world. Mukherji and the other five Senior Grand Award winners from the Detroit fair now go on to compete in the state Science Fair on April 9 at Kettering University in Flint, and then at the International Science Fair held May 8-13 in Phoenix, Ariz.
“Becoming a Grand Award Winner at the Science and Engineering Fair and qualifying to participate in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair were beyond my expectations,” Mukherji said. “I am very much looking forward to joining 1,700 students from more than 70 countries around the world at the Intel ISEF competition. I think it will be truly a life-changing experience for me.”
In addition to earning her award at SEFMD, Mukherji participated recently in the Michigan Math Prize Competition (MMPC) that resulted in a score high enough to get listed as one of the top 50 students in the competition. On March 12 at a ceremony held at Eastern Michigan University, she received a special award commemorating her achievement.
“Receiving a bronze award for this year’s Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition was really exciting for me,” Mukherji said. “This recognition has really encouraged me to try even harder next year.”
The Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition (MMPC) is sponsored by the Michigan Section of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) to encourage students to more fully develop their interests and abilities in mathematics.
“What wonderful accomplishments,” said Vlado Salic, Notre Dame’s director of guidance and counseling. “She is quite a special young lady and these accolades are further evidence that she will do well in reaching her future college and career goals.”
More about the SEFMD
The Science and Engineering Fair of Metropolitan Detroit, first held in 1956, is a nonprofit organization established to give students in the tri-county area (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb counties) an opportunity to develop and exhibit science fair projects. Competition is separated into two groups – junior division (which is 6th, 7th and 8th grade) and senior division (9th – 12th Grade). Students are judged within their respective categories (total of 13 categories based on scientific discipline). Up to six students (limit of one student per school in the senior division), may be selected to participate in the International Science and Engineering Fair.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.