44°
Future leaders and innovators were recognized at the fair held on March 15 at Quinnipac University in Hamden. The top overall winners will represent the state at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair from May 11 to May 16 in Los Angeles.
Kerr was the top winner in the fair’s Life Sciences category.
"In a project called Biological Control of the Invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil Using Aquatic Weevils, Kerr sought out to study Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM), a destructive and invasive aquatic flora found in almost every state," a press release said. "All current treatment methods for EWM endanger other aspects of the target ecosystem, so Kerr developed a far less harmful way: using insects.
"In her project, she developed an approach towards controlling EWM using small native aquatic insects that feed on it called milfoil weevils. This finding could have tremendous benefits for the aquatic ecosystems of not only Connecticut but the entire country."
Kerr also won the fair’s Urban Schools Challenge with her project.
Kerr was one of three winners of awards from the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. She won the H. Joseph Gerber Medal of Excellence, an award of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering in partnership with CCAT.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Danbury and receive free news updates.
