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Located in Plantation, Florida; a beautiful, family-oriented suburb just west of Fort Lauderdale and north of Miami.

Located in Plantation, Florida; a beautiful, family-oriented suburb just west of Fort Lauderdale and north of Miami.

Niche: Best Schools - 2022
Science Students Recognized at International Research Event

Research Students Shine at 2024 Sigma Xi International Forum of Research Excellence

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The Science Research Program students from the Broward campus of American Heritage Schools have once again demonstrated their exceptional talent and dedication, bringing home several prestigious awards from the 2024 Sigma Xi International Forum of Research Excellence (IFoRE). Held in Washington, D.C., the event gathered researchers from high schools, colleges, and graduate programs across the globe to compete and share innovative ideas.

This annual forum is one of the most significant gatherings for aspiring scientists, hosted by Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society. With over 200 participants presenting cutting-edge research, the students from American Heritage Broward stood out for their exceptional work in both the oral and poster presentation categories.

Over the following days, participants competed in two formats:

  • Oral Presentations: Students gave 6–8-minute PowerPoint presentations to panels of judges, followed by two minutes of questions. With over 60 participants in this category, winning required not only rigorous scientific methodology but also excellent communication skills.
  • Poster Presentations: More than 70 students used visual aids to showcase their research and discuss findings in-depth with judges over a 10-minute session. Awards in this category were based on specific research fields and educational levels.

The students from the Broward campus excelled in various fields, earning top honors across multiple categories. Each award winner received a medal, a $200 cash prize, and one year of paid membership to Sigma Xi. The inductees also join the ranks of Sigma Xi's prestigious global network of scientists and researchers.

Oral Presentations

  • Emma Colarte Delgado (Senior)
    • Category: Interdisciplinary Research in Human Sciences and Policy
    • Recognized for her impactful research addressing critical policy and societal issues.
       
  • Calvin Mathew (Senior)
    • Category: Interdisciplinary Research in Design, Construction, and Manufacturing
    • Honored for innovative contributions to advanced materials and urban infrastructure solutions.
  • Anagha Iyer (Junior)
    • Category: Interdisciplinary Research in Environmental Challenges
    • Recognized for providing access to clean water, mitigating climate change, food security, managing the nitrogen cycle, sustaining clean air, and preserving biodiversity

Poster Presentations

  • Noah Duro-Andre (Junior)
    • Category: Agriculture, Soil, and Natural Resources
    • Celebrated for groundbreaking research in sustainable agricultural practices.
       
  • Iris Fan (Senior)
    • Category: Chemistry
    • Awarded for her outstanding work in advancing chemical processes and applications.

In addition to competing, students attended presentations by distinguished researchers, including Cato T. Laurencin, Sigma Xi’s 2024 Gold Key Award recipient, and Peter J. Hotez, a Time Magazine “Top 100 Most Influential People in Health.” These sessions offered inspiration and insight into how science continues to shape the world.

American Heritage Schools has consistently fostered a culture of innovation and academic achievement, empowering students to pursue excellence in STEM fields. The awards at IFoRE 2024 highlight the caliber of education and mentorship at Heritage Broward and the commitment of its students to advancing scientific research.