Next Competition: April 24 - 26, 2026
Each year, students in Grades 9–12 put their curiosity to the test by submitting original research to improve the world. From environmental breakthroughs to tech innovations, their work spans a wide range of STEM fields — all united by a mission to help humanity through science.
Finalists present their fundings before a panel of expert judges and compete for up to $5,000 in prizes, with extra awards going to their teachers and schools.When the students win, the world benefits!
For more information about our Science Competitions, please call our Reservations Department at 407.514.2112 or email competitions@osc.org.
Application Deadline:
March 5, 2026
Congratulations to the 2026 Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition Winner!
Aarit Dixit, Sophomore, Orlando Science High School, Orlando - Aarit Dixit won first place in the Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition. His research presents R.A.M.P.A.T., a low-cost, 3D printed drone that takes off vertically and cruises efficiently like an airplane. While only costing under $1,000, Dixit’s drone matches the performance of commercial drones that cost 10 times more. He won a scholarship of $5,000, a $1,000 award for his science teacher, and an additional $1,000 for his school. The winning project was inspired by Dixit’s interest in how important drones are after natural disasters. He recognized that drones save lives, but there’s a real gap between how well they perform and how accessible they are. With Dixit’s research, he’s found a way to make drones accessible to first responders, offering long flight times and wide search coverage without relying on fragile supply chains.
Celebrating the 2026 Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition Finalists!
Aman Agrawal, Senior, Pine Crest School, Fort Lauderdale - Aman Agrawal’s research focuses on developing a computer code that generates 3D virtual arteries with various calcifications to test the effectiveness of stents in treating coronary artery disease.
His research will increase efficiency and creation time for stents. With a special interest in researching at the intersection of medicine and public health, Agrawal hopes to improve lives through impactful work and research.
Koray Abramson, Junior, Pine Crest School, Fort Lauderdale- Koray Abramson’s research focuses on developing inexpensive, portable and accessible gait analysis for patients with conditions that affect how they walk. For example, patients with Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s Disease, amputees and stroke survivors. His study develops two deep learning pipelines for customizable 3D gait analysis using synchronized video instead of expensive motion capture systems. Abramson’s interest in this subject was inspired by his older brother who has a neurological condition that impacts the way he moves.
Sophia Fatteh Patil, Freshman, American Heritage Schools, Plantation- Sophia Fatteh Fatil believes music is a vital part of life, so her research looks at the utility of music in elevating dopamine levels. Her study suggested that music is a possible treatment option for depression and anxiety in humans caused by low serotonin levels.
Johan Bijiyos, Freshman, Bartow High School, Bartow- With a passion for using programming to simulate physical systems, Johan Bijiyos’ research is at the heart of science and technology. His research tests whether combining quantum mechanics with current cancer simulation better predicts how lung cancer cells develop drug resistance over time. By modeling cancer cell populations like quantum particles, this research captures hidden interactions that traditional methods miss, achieving greater accuracy in predicting how tumors evolve under treatment.
The Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition has been encouraging tomorrow’s problem solvers and world changers since 1999. Scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur Dr. Nelson Ying created this competition in partnership with Orlando Science Center to inspire exemplary science students to use their expertise to address real-world problems.
The competition is administered by his son, Nelson Ying, Jr., and Competition Chair, Fred Curtis. Previous winners have gone on to continue their research at top universities, compete in national science competitions, and ultimately pursue exciting STEM careers, including positions at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and starting their own companies.