Edgemont School District Launches New Middle School Science Fair for Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties – River Journal Online

The Edgemont School District proudly announces the launch of the Westchester Regional Middle School Science and Engineering Fair (WRMSSEF), an in-person event for students in grades 6-8. This science fair will provide a premier platform for middle school students from Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties to present their scientific research and engineering projects.

The inaugural Westchester Regional Middle School Science and Engineering Fair will take place on April 26, 2025 at Edgemont High School. Participating students will present their research to expert judges and compete for awards. Registrations are welcome at wrmssef.org.

“Edgemont is proud to enthusiastically pioneer the Westchester Regional Middle School Science Engineering Fair to showcase students’ exciting research innovations,” Edgemont Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton said. “Students are encouraged to maximize this opportunity to display their talent and hard work, and embrace the fair as a stepping stone for participation in high school science fairs and potential careers in science.”

WRMSSEF has earned official recognition as the region’s sole pathway to the prestigious Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge, a distinction previously held by the Tri-County Fair. This recognition means that the top 10% of students participating in WRMSSEF will have the chance to advance to one of the nation’s most esteemed science competitions, elevating the fair’s significance and offering young researchers an opportunity to shine on a national stage. The fair has secured sponsorship and donations from Regeneron, Broadcom, the Society for Science and the Nature Center at Greenburgh.

The initiative, over a year in the making, was spearheaded by WRMSSEF’s co-founders:

• Talia Dardis, Edgemont Junior Senior High School’s science research teacher.
• MaryRose Joseph, assistant principal at Edgemont High School.
• Dolya Fleck, former Edgemont Board of Education trustee.
• Edgemont High School student Kareem Nasr, two-year Student Science Research president.

The fair is fully endorsed by Michael Blueglass, founder of the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF), the largest high school science fair in the country. With his support, WRMSSEF aims to become a robust junior version of WESEF, inspiring a new generation of young scientists and engineers.

The Edgemont School District also is forming an advisory board composed of science research teachers from neighboring school districts, fostering collaboration and expertise across the region. This board will provide guidance for WRMSSEF’s long-term success and the growth of the science research community. The WRMSSEF website, www.wrmssef.org, offers many resources, including virtual mentoring by seniors to support middle school students through their research process.

District-wide support from Edgemont Superintendent Hamilton and the Board of Education have been integral to the development and launch of WRMSSEF. Their collaboration underscores the district’s commitment to fostering student advocacy, leadership and academic achievement in STEAM fields.

“We are thrilled to see this project come to fruition and can’t wait to witness the innovative ideas our students bring forward,” Dardis said.

“I am excited to work with Ms. Dardis, Ms. Joseph and Ms. Fleck to see this fair come to life. They are amazing mentors and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to bring this experience to students in our region,” Nasr said.

Learn more by emailing wrmssef@edgemont.org and visiting www.wrmssef.org.

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