The Minnesota Department of Education honored 11 high school students, including Wayzata's Weili Lu and Ritwik Gaur, with Scholars of Distinction awards during a virtual ceremony on June 20.
Weili Lu was awarded for his science project, "Investigating the Impacts of Environmental and Dietary Changes on the Gut Microbiota of Mature Cayuga Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)."
Ritwik Gaur was honored in the STEM category for his project, "Relative Equilibria of Pinwheel/Point Mass Systems in a Planar Gravitational Field."
According to the Minnesota Department of Education press release, the Scholars of Distinction program recognizes students who complete required academic standards, master complex subjects, and apply their knowledge to challenging projects. It encourages critical and creative thinking about academic and social issues, aiming to make a difference in communities.
Students are eligible for award consideration in computer science, cultural studies, environmental leadership, mathematics, science, social studies or STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The students may be enrolled in grades 11-12 at a public or private school; homeschooled in grades 11-12; or enrolled in a Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.
“These students have done outstanding work by putting their ideas, passions and unique talent into their projects. I congratulate each of them on the effort they put into challenging themselves,” said Education Commissioner Willie Jett in the press release.
Congratulations Weili Lu and Ritwik Gaur!
