Bensalem Township School District students attended the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) State Competition held in May at Penn State University, State College.
Thousands of students from all over Pennsylvania presented their scientific research at this annual competition held from May 18 through May 20, 2025. These projects are a culmination of months of hard work and dedication. Forty eight Bensalem High School students showcased their original research in front of expert judges in a collegiate setting.
BHS junior, Diya Patel earned an impressive $16,000 in scholarships – $8,000 to the Eberly School of Science and $8,000 to the College of Agricultural Sciences
Aarav Patel (2 years) and Phoebe Ting (4 years) earned Monetary Regional Awards for their years of participation.
The following students earned State Perseverance Plaques for years of dedication in PJAS: Heeti Desai (4 years); Lucas Ferrandez (4 years); Michael Larbi (5 years); Diya Patel (5 years); Phoebe Ting (4 years).
Twenty-eight BHS students received first place awards. They are: Ayush Agarwal, Ria Brahmbhatt, Aarav Desai, Zahir Fahad, Lucas Ferrandez, Arya George, Anjali Guda, Ghizal Halim, Hasnain Kazmi, Maheen Malik, Anna Marks, Abigail Nanakobi, Aayushi Patel, Diya Patel, Jeet Patel, Jiya Patel, Kirtan Patel, Rahi Patel, Snaha Paul, Nashmia Rana, Diya Salla, Hala Sayed, Eesha Shah, Princi Shah, Sanya Shah, Nitasha Sharma, Sindhusree Vedula, and Marie Vo.
Second place award winners are: Yuliana Chernyshov, Heeti Desai, Emily Knight, Michael Larbi, Isaac Mathieu, Anna Matiunina, Sabiha Nexhbi, Krina Patel, Siya Patel, Stuti Patel, Vani Patel, Veer Patel, Vidhi Patel, Yesha Patel, Prince Shah, Unnati Shah, Phoebe Ting, and Pranav Vedula,
Aarav Patel and Mahi Patel placed third.
The BHS team is sponsored by their advisor Mrs. Lisa Tokmajian and a special thanks to Mr. Chris Sterman for serving as a chaperone.
In the middle school division, fourteen Robert K. Shafer Middle School students attended the state competition. The following students were first place award winners: Nicki Bibeck, Navneet Kaur, and Greg Williams.
The second place award winners are Lucy Allen, Cecilia Barton, Avadh Patel, Ishaan Patel, Prince Patel, Sanya Patel, Abby Schwartz, and Milo Sloane. Ayaan M. Patel received a third place award. Aanya Patel and Manan Patel served as technicians.
Submitted: School/Community Relations – Bensalem Township School District
The Shafer Middle School students are sponsored by Mrs. Morgan Golombek.
Four Cecelia Snyder Middle School students attended states. Mahee Shah earned a first place award and Patrick Marks earned a second place award. Gabriel Matos and Yug Panchal attended as technicians.
Submitted: School/Community Relations – Bensalem Township School District
The Snyder Middle School students are sponsored by Miss Kate Liese and Mr. Tom Hoffman.
“Congratulations to all our participants,” said the school district .