Fields of science and scientific research are essential in shaping the future of the world we live in today. The individuals involved strive to make the world a better and safer place for everyone, innovating on the world around them to cause change.  And while one may expect to find scientists developing medicine in labs, or conducting projects at colleges and universities, there may actually be true innovators at your very own high school. 

MHS students Michaela Oppong and Ryan Denny had the unique opportunity to take their skills to the next level, presenting STEM-based projects at the regional and state level. And despite differences in their products and processes, both have shown immense perseverance and ingenuity in reaching their goals. 

Oppong, currently a freshman at MHS, developed a series of tests and experiments all centering  around a singular unassuming object: an Apple. By testing the impact on browning of different citrus fruits applied on the apple, she created a representation for hyperpigmentation of human skin. Further, the project served as a model with applications to the beauty product industry

In stark contrast, Denny, currently a junior, utilized artificial intelligence models to create “profiles” for theoretical people, which he used to develop a new statistical model for estimating creditworthiness called Data Augmented Credit Scoring (DACS).  Denny’s model is especially useful for individuals who are currently underrepresented in the system because of a lack of access. 

The model included variables based on “physical and mental health,” Denny said, as well as fake social media posts, measured based on financial responsibility.  His project, dubbed “Social Credit,” was able to demonstrate accuracy greater than the currently widely accepted model. 

The science fair journey always starts with finding inspiration. For Oppong, she combined a pre-existing interest in immune systems with objects she found around her house, leading to the creation of her apple-centric idea.

 In Denny’s case, he began to take an interest in the effect of credit after looking into the causes of poverty in countries like Brazil. “Maybe I can do a project creating an alternative model,” he said, “that would include these people who don’t have access to banks.”

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These projects, besides being impactful in their research, took an immense amount of time dedication to pull off. For example, In her data collection phase, Oppong said she would record “two or three trials” in a day to ensure higher accuracy in the measurements. In fact, both students spent months refining their projects, research, diagrams, and poster boards as a whole. 

Behind each science project is a true passion. A passion to discover, to cause change, and to improve society as a whole. The passions and voices of Milton’s very own scientific revolutionaries should not go unnoticed, as they will no doubt be the innovators of the future.