Littleton School Committee Recognizes Science Fair Winners, Bids Farewell to Member Gold

LITTLETON -- May 2, 2024, Littleton School Committee honored science fair standouts and heard sweeping curriculum reports at its May 2 meeting. Sophomores Annika Jacob and Sidara Padamati presented their Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair projects to the board: Jacob received the Pauline J. Lamarche Memorial Award for her AI-assisted study of caffeine's effects on zebrafish embryo development, while Padamati received the RICO Sustainable Development Award for research on wax worms' ability to biodegrade polyethylene plastic. Six-to-12 Science Curriculum Coordinator Valerie Fennedy reported that the district's STEM Research Club grew from two students last year to roughly 15 this year, with 11 advancing to the regional fair and seven to the state fair. Fine Arts Coordinator Hillary Bridge announced that LHS student Ali Porter received the American Visions nomination in film and animation at the Scholastic Art Competition, the first Littleton student ever to receive the honor, and that three current LHS students are pursuing music in college. The committee also bid farewell to departing member Jen Gold, crediting her with leading the district's school start time initiative and serving on the budget subcommittee during what the superintendent called challenging budget cycles.