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A pair of seventh-grade scientists tackled a real-world environmental problem, and their project paid off. 
Annabelle and Katniss, middle school students at the J. Graham Brown School, won the Louisville Water Company prize at the 2026 Louisville Regional Science & Engineering Fair (LRSEF). Their project examined how free-floating aquatic plants can affect nitrate levels in water, a topic they recognized as increasingly important for public health.
“Lots of nitrates are generated by humans from fertilizer, and much of the runoff goes into water sources, which can be damaging for the environment and for humans who drink the water,” Annabelle explained.
Louisville Water Scientist Andrew Ely helped judge this year’s competition held at the University of Louisville. After reviewing more than a dozen submissions, he determined that Annabelle and Katniss’ project stood out from the rest.
“Their project was well researched, constructed, and rigorous, and their presentation skills were impressive,” Ely said.
He noted that while the students’ experimental design is more relevant to aquarium water quality, their research questions and real-world applications are related to broader issues that Louisville Water scientists face when it comes to threats to water quality. To ensure safe, high-quality Louisville Pure Tap®, our scientists perform more than 200 tests a day in our EPA-certified laboratory.
That connection became clear as the students began uncovering the same water quality challenges scientists monitor every day.
“We figured out that nitrates were bad, and there was an issue with high nitrate concentrations, especially due to fertilizer,” Katniss explained.
The students’ teacher, Maureen Shugars, said she was proud to see her students succeed and emphasized that the experience was about more than the awards.
“Part of the fun is giving kids exposure to real tools. It’s okay to go back and think, ‘Maybe we should have done this differently.’ That’s part of learning,” Shugars said.
Louisville Water has sponsored an award at LRSEF for many years, while also providing reusable Pure Tap bottles for judges and students to fill up at one of the many hydration stations on UofL’s campus.
As for what comes next, both students say they plan to pursue careers in science. Annabelle is leaning toward health sciences, while Katniss is interested in the medical field.
Good luck, Annabelle and Katniss! Your future looks bright.
