AquaMeridian US Chapter Supports ACSEF: Fundraising & Judging Highlights
March 15th, 2025.
On Saturday March 15, 2025, AquaMeridian US Chapter proudly sponsored the Alameda County Science & Engineering Fair (ACSEF) with a student-run fundraiser to support next year’s event. Every piece of merchandise was designed and crafted by our team, and in just 2.5 hours, we raised over $200!
A huge thank you to our amazing student volunteers, designers, and everyone who stopped by to support us. Every dollar raised helps ensure this incredible fair continues to inspire young scientists. Our crystal-clear lollipops were once again a community favorite, and this year, we introduced science fair-themed stickers designed to motivate and excite students about STEM.
Faye Lin: The Youngest Judge at ACSEF
This year, our US Chapter founder, Faye Lin, had the honor of being the youngest judge at ACSEF, evaluating high school science projects. Having been through the competition herself, she understands the pressure and excitement students feel. She aimed to reduce stress for participants by fostering better communication between judges and students, ensuring they felt comfortable presenting their work.
Faye noticed that students were more open and confident when discussing their projects with her, leading to deep conversations about their research and potential improvements. Originally, she had only planned to volunteer, as the event was just one day after one of her midterms. However, ACSEF Director Patti warmly welcomed her back ‘home’ as a judge, it was a truly recognition of her contributions to the science fair community.
The Importance of Judge Commitment
Faye shared how much judges can impact a science fair—not just by scoring projects, but by mentoring, encouraging, and inspiring the next generation of scientists. She believes thoughtful feedback and genuine conversations can boost students’ confidence, helping them refine their ideas and grow as researchers.
She’s proud and grateful to be part of the judging team, supporting students as they find their voice and passion for science. Seeing some of the top-scoring projects she judged move on to the California State Science Fair or even ISEF, is incredibly exciting!
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success, check out our stunning video and pictures here:
“ACSEF was packed with incredibly talented students, but what really set a project apart wasn’t just how impressive the experiment was, it was how well the student could communicate and present their ideas. I am very lucky to experience both sides, from contestant to judge, which gave me a whole new perspective on what truly makes a project shine.”
