Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) Official Site

What a fantastic Alumni Weekend!

On Saturday, our alumni returned to campus to reminisce and reconnect. They visited the archives, enjoyed a meal together, and roamed campus to see what's changed since their time at IMSA, and what has stayed the same. Thank you to the IMSA Alumni Association and everyone who helped organize events throughout the weekend! We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Our students may not be on campus during the summer, but the research never stops! Check out what Alain Bedi '26 and Kennedy Su '26 have been investigating at Southern Illinois University this summer.

This opportunity was made possible by IMSA's Summer Research and Experiential Learning Opportunities (SRELO) Program.

CAs solar storms erupt, SIU researchers continue to study the sun CARBONDALE — Scientists are predicting the possibility of solar storms of varying intensity during the next two weeks as faculty and student researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale continue studying

What a fun way to start the summer! Thanks RoboThink Chicago Western Suburbs!

IMSA's DEI Team is a finalist for the Top 100 DEI Team! Voting is now open to determine the top 100, 50, 10, and Teams of the Year in each of the 12 categories.

Cast your vote for IMSA's DEI Team by July 5th! Winners will be honored at the OnCon 2024 Fall Virtual Summit in October.

Vote | Top 100 DEI Team Award The Top 100 DEI Team Award is a community and peer voted award that is determined by peer observation of work. Winners represent some of the top DEI teams in the entire world. 

Excitement is in the air as the Class of 2024 gets ready to graduate tomorrow! It's been an incredible journey filled with hard work, resilience, and unforgettable memories. Here's to new beginnings and endless possibilities! Congratulations, graduates!

Good luck to Shomak Tan '26, Karthik Prasad '26, Haydn Chan '26, William Yu '25, Tony Han '26, Dylan Xianto '25, and Roy Wang '26 as they head to Iowa City tonight with Dr. Fogel to compete on the Chicago All-Star Math Team.

The team, consisting of over 70 students from the Chicago area, will participate in the annual American Regions Mathematics League (ARML) competition on Saturday.

On Saturday, May 18, IMSA's inaugural class of Certified Nursing Assistants was presented with their CNA Caduceus pins in a celebratory event attended by their friends and family. The pinning ceremony marked their completion of the course and their entry into the career of a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Congratulations to the following students:

Amy Lendi '25, Aashi Dharia '25, Trinh Yong '25, Grania Kozlowski '25, Sriya Mudumba '24, Maryam Zaidi '26, Neil Sitapara '26, Tate Schneider '24
Not pictured - Kaella Moraga '25, Sophia Ait Boucherbil '24

Numerous students represented IMSA at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) State Exposition. Congratulations to the following students who were recognized for their outstanding research projects:

Vignesh Tiruvannamalai '24 and Josephine Kim '25 won the following awards:
First Place, Illinois State Academy of Science Competition
First Place, Cellular and Molecular Biology (Illinois Soybean Growers)
Best in Paper Session (Senior Division)
Jay and Jeremy Hoffmann Memorial Award (exceptional project to advance the human condition)
Exceptional Project Award (Field Museum)
Gold Rating Overall

Vignesh Tiruvannamalai also won the Ethel M. and Lyell J. Thomas Scholarship, valued at $1000.

Samantha Narchetty '26 won gold fr her paper and poster and was awarded an Exceptional Project in Engineering by Hanson Professional Services Inc.

Aditya Prasanth '24 was awarded the prestigious Schroeder Wetzel Scholarship at IJAS. Aditya also completed his fifth year serving on the Board for IJAS, where he acted as president, helping lead, organize, and run the IJAS science fairs located around the State of Illinois.

Congratulations to Neel Shanbhag '26, Aarva Lala '26, and Laksh Patel '26, for their performance in the final round of the Illinois Personal Finance Challenge Competition. The UIC Center for Economic Education, in partnership with the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office hosted the competition, which provides students with an exciting and motivating opportunity to build, apply, and demonstrate their knowledge of money management. The IMSA team secured 3rd place in the competition, earning special recognition from Illinois State Treasurer's Office.

The Launch.AI Center and Frontier Lab are now open! These spaces serve as resource centers for students working on AI research projects, faculty integrating AI into their classrooms, and anyone eager to learn more about AI. The space also showcases artwork created by students with the help of AI. We are excited to see what our students and staff create in this hub for innovation!

There are still spots left for the Avantor Integrated Science Program for rising 9th graders! This program combines two weeks of online learning followed by one week of hands-on learning at IMSA in Aurora. Participants delve into scientific topics in biotechnology, including an in-depth exploration of DNA. Applications are due May 24, 2024.

The Avantor Integrated Science Program | Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy This uniquely IMSA program combines two weeks of online learning followed by one week of engaging, hands-on learning on campus in Aurora and explores the fa ...

Joey Paras '24 has been awarded the prestigious Alumni Distinguished Scholarship from Michigan State University. This scholarship is one of the most competitive in the country, with only a handful of recipients selected from over 1,000 applicants. Recipients are chosen based on their essays, a general knowledge examination, high school achievements, standardized test scores, and finalist interviews.

The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition, room and board, and other academic expenses for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education. Recipients of the ADS award are also invited to join the selective Honors College program and receive a two-year paid research assistantship in a discipline of their choice. Congratulations, Joey!

19 IMSA students were recognized by the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) and InnerView in the seventh Annual Community Service Impact Awards. This program is designed to connect student community service activities, skill development, and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to transform our world. Congratulations to the following students:

AMBASSADOR AWARDEES
Sarah Almeida '25, Abhinav Anne '26, Jaden Blankenship '25, Shatakshi Chatterjee '25, Arjun Cherukuri '24, Aahana Das '25, Byrd Gilissen '24, Ellen Hsuan '25, Khushi Kranthi '25, Mikaella Moraga '25, Anusha Saraf '26, Vibhasri Yama '25, and Anna Yang '25

HONOR AWARDEES
Aarushi Das '25, Johanna Germo '24, and Laksh Patel '26

MERIT AWARDEES
Aditya Hansoty '25, Neel Shanbhag '26, and Vignesh Tiruvannamalai '24

ZERO HERO AWARDEES
Abhinav Anne '26, Aditya Hansoty '25, and Laksh Patel '26

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Students and staff got to take advantage of the nice weather with a Field Day last weekend, featuring outdoor games, food, crafts and even a dunk tank!

Congratulations to the IMSA Badminton team for an amazing season! The team finished 9th at the IHSA State Finals and 2nd at the IHSA Sectionals.

Congratulations to Carissa Chen '25, who represented the Titans at the state tournament.

The IMSA Board of Trustees Alumni Awards are the most prestigious honors granted to alumni, acknowledging their achievements and contributions to their respective fields, IMSA, and the people of Illinois and beyond. Congratulations to Jessica Droste Yagan '95 for receiving the Trailblazer Award, Dr. Sarah Goeking '92 for the Distinguished Leadership Award, and Brian Cudiamat '96 for the Titan Award. Learn more about these remarkable award recipients and their noteworthy accomplishments below.

2024 IMSA Board of Trustees Alumni Awards | Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy The IMSA Board of Trustees established its Alumni Awards program in 2006 to recognize the men and women of IMSA who deliver outstanding contributions to the ...

Each year, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) awards scholarships to a select group of students based on their performance on this PSAT/NMSQT and other criteria, such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, leadership positions, and teacher recommendations. Congratulations to the following IMSA seniors who were named 2024 National Merit Scholars:

Sreevardhan Atyam
Ishaan Buyyanapragada
Anirudh Chari
Marguerite DiMarco
Zuyu Liu
Aldo Magana
Claire O'Brien-Dull
Maitreyi Pandey
Jaejun Park
Aashima Singh Sisodia
Pranet Swain
Danica Sun

IMSA is proud to announce that Zuyu Liu was named as a Presidential Scholar. Each year, the U.S. Department of Education selects a small group of students as Presidential Scholars based on their academic excellence, leadership qualities, community service, and overall exceptional achievement. This recognition is among the highest honors for graduating high school seniors in the United States. Congratulations, Zuyu!

Dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence with us! Students in grades 2-6 are invited to explore exciting AI tools like motion tracking and object recognition to create awesome AI-powered robots with unique shapes and functions. Gain valuable insights into the future of automation while developing your computer skills! Let's embark on this hands-on AI adventure together!

Learn more at https://www.imsa.edu/youth-outreach/summerimsa/

Calling all STEM warriors and engineers in grades 2-6! Gear up for an electrifying adventure with RoboThink at IMSA, where you'll build and customize battle robots to compete in thrilling arena challenges—no experience required, just bring your competitive spirit!

Learn more at www.imsa.edu/youth-outreach/summerimsa/

Josephine Kim '25 and Vignesh Tiruvannamalai '24 also won a 1st place award at the Illinois State Academy of Science (ISAS) Annual Conference for their project entitled "DDX18 Plays a Functional Role in the Association of Centromeres and Heterochromatin to the Nucleolus." This competition is typically only open to college students, but Vignesh and Josie were invited to participate after winning one of the top two projects at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) regional competition in March.

As Teacher Appreciation Week winds down, let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible IMSA educators, counselors, coaches, and mentors who inspire, motivate, and shape the minds of our students every single day. Thank you for your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of IMSA students. You are truly appreciated!

Thank you to the IMSA Parents Association Council for making our faculty and staff feel so appreciated this week!

Join us tomorrow to cheer on the Titans at the Girls Soccer IHSA Regional Quarterfinal!

Congratulations to Nikhil Kodali '25 for his outstanding performance at the Debate Tournament of Champions hosted by the University of Kentucky. Nikhil went head-to-head with top debaters from across the country to secure his spot in the tournament, ultimately achieving 7th place in his preliminary chamber. This marks a significant milestone, as Nikhil was the first debate student from IMSA to qualify for TOC.

The LEAD Program held the 11th Annual Student Leadership Exchange on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The Class of 2026 presented projects rooted in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and had the opportunity to receive feedback and network with many external guests.

Students also had the opportunity to listen to the Bernard C. Hollister Memorial Lecture, which was held in remembrance of Dr. Bernie Hollister, a charter social science and history faculty member. This year's program featured Dr. Joshua Fredenburg, an internationally acclaimed speaker who discussed creating a leadership legacy that continues to have a lasting impact.

Three IMSA students were selected as finalists for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar Program by the U.S. Department of Education. This award is considered one of the highest honors for graduating seniors. Congratulations to seniors Zuyu Liu, Danica Sun, and Pranet Swain, who were selected from 625 semi-finalists across the nation. The U.S. Secretary of Education will announce the final recipients later this month.

Cheer on your Titans this Friday at the Girl's IHSA Regional Quarterfinal!

Congratulations to the following students who qualified for the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Expo. Best of luck as they present their research at Milliken University this weekend!

Josephine Kim '25 and Vignesh Tiruvannamalai '24 - Cellular and Molecular Biology
Aadi Mehta '26 - Aerospace Science
Jayram Palamadai '25 and William Yu '25 - Computer Science/Engineering
Michael Granger '25 - Computer Science
Samantha Narchetty '26 - Engineering
Jaden Blankenship '25 - Cellular and Molecular Biology (paper)

IJAS - State Exposition Click here for information!

Aishat Balogun '24 and Donovan Morrow '24 were named recipients of the prestigious Amazon Future Engineers Scholarship. Recipients of this scholarship receive a $40,000 scholarship to attend a college of their choice and have the opportunity to intern at Amazon after their freshman year for hands-on mentorship and networking support from industry leaders. Congratulations Aishat and Donovan!