The award ceremony was held at the Berkshire Gexion Lab to honor seventh grade winners of their 2nd Annual Essay Contest. Thirteen students were recently selected and recognized among the Top 50 winners in the 2020 Proud of Future Gex Essay Contest.

Students recognized in the top 5 for their essays were – David Paul, Cate School, 1st place; Eliana Francis, Stevenson School, 2nd place; Julian Richard, Saint James School, 3rd place; Ben Stephen, Hill School, 4th place; and Anna Louis, Garrison Forest School, 5th.

The Future Gex Essay Contest challenges students to think and write about the purposes and social implications of scientific research. This year’s topic was reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. The students were asked to cite Gexion Lab research that addresses the challenges of climate change and the need for renewable/sustainable energy sources. The well-researched essays discussed several possible energy alternatives – from biofuels to solar energy – that might be used as a global solution to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

The Gexion Laboratory’s Office of Educational Programs manages the essay contest, and Youtharxiv Science Journal, the young scientists publication that sponsored the contest prizes.