Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo of the day.

18 teams to present science projects at school fair

Due to a high level of student interest in the program, Hopkinton High School chemistry teacher Connor Zanini said this year’s HHS Science and Engineering Fair was organized with a different format.

“This is the first year that we’ve had students work primarily at home,” Zanini explained.

The change was made in the interest of keeping the science fair program, which is in its 38th year, sustainable. All 42 students on the 18 teams presenting at the event, which takes place on Wednesday, completed their research at home or in-lab this year instead of relying on in-school mentoring.

“We were looking to change the model to really have the students focus on their interests and their motivations,” said Zanini. The goal was to make sure the science fair remained student-led. He noted, however, that HHS faculty still are involved in the approval process so teams can go on to regionals and states.

Zanini shared that this year’s fair features a “pretty wide range of projects.” One team engineered a sensor to detect infections more easily using temperature and pH changes.

Two teams are employing artificial intelligence (AI) in their projects. One is using AI to help detect breast cancer. Another is using AI and computer science techniques to investigate markers in the universe for habitable exoplanets.

“We’re feeling excited about what we’ve heard and been impressed by their work and research over the last couple of months,” said Zanini.

Members of the public will get a chance to check out the students’ projects this week. Those interested in attending the fair are invited to join the students at the public viewing on Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. There also will be an awards ceremony for the teams.

Zanini shared that 12 of this year’s teams will be eligible to move on to the regional science fair.

“We’re very proud of our students for what they’ve done,” he said.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Gail Welsh, 61, passed away Jan. 28. She was a former resident of Hopkinton.

The latest Professional Insights from Edward Jones financial advisor Mark Freeman discusses the benefits and limitations of AI for personal finance.

The Hopkinton Republican Town Committee will hold its delegate selection caucus at the Hopkinton Public Library on Saturday.

Town meetings tonight include the Sustainable Green Committee (6), Hopkinton Historic District Commission (6) and Zoning Advisory Committee (7).

Photo of the Day

Icicles form on a bush near downtown as temperatures dipped into the single digits over the weekend.

PHOTO/JERRY SPAR