Engineering Design

  1. Planets

    Here’s how future Martians might take their first breaths 

    Mars would need an atmosphere thick enough to hold heat and with enough oxygen for people to breathe. This is how we might terraform Mars.

    By Aaron Tremper
  2. Tech

    Scientists Say: Prototype

    These rough draft models help engineers test how a concept translates from theory to reality.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter
  3. Artificial Intelligence

    This researcher investigates the risks of digitally cloning the dead  

    Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska investigates the risk of AI-driven grief bots — while commuting between Poland and England.

    By Aaron Tremper
  4. Tech

    This 3-D printed robot runs on air, not electricity

    The soft, flexible robot can cover uneven ground and even walk underwater.

    By Skyler Ware
  5. Environment

    New ocean sanctuaries house young coral and even flee peril

    Two ISEF finalists want to foster growth of new coral reefs. So these teens designed and built self-navigating, undersea houseboats for coral larvae.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter
  6. Tech

    This squirrel-like robot has some serious hops

    Salto the jumping robot has a claw-like gripper. Like a squirrel, it can adjust its movement to help it stay balanced to stick a landing on "branches."

    By Meghan Rosen
  7. Life

    Research without lab animals? New tech is making it possible

    For decades, scientists have worked to phase out the use of animals in research. AI, ‘lungs’ on a chip and more are bringing that goal closer.

    By Avery Elizabeth Hurt
  8. Environment

    Eco-friendly sunscreen? That’s bananas!

    Bananas make their own natural sunscreens. A teen thinks these could work to protect our skin as well, while being safe for aquatic life.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter
  9. Tech

    You can ‘grab’ these virtual displays and manipulate them midair

    Such interactive floating graphics and virtual objects could be used to make more immersive video games and museum exhibits.

    By Maria Temming
  10. Materials Science

    This electric ‘slime’ might help injuries heal faster

    Our bodies call in healing cells with an electrical signal. When stretched or squeezed, this gel makes electricity that could boost that alert.

    By Kendra Redmond
  11. Tech

    Soft helpers and bio-inspired tech: a match made in robot heaven

    Hugging toys offer emotional support to anxious kids and slithering snake-like robots may bring rescue aid to people trapped in dangerous conditions.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter
  12. Chemistry

    Teen finds cheaper way to make drugs against killer viruses

    This drug-making achievement also nabbed the top award — and $100,000 in prize money — at the 2025 Regeneron ISEF competition.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter