Elizabeth Barnes

Congratulations! 🎉

@smsdbiotech @UnionStationKC @ksdehq @Society4Science @MayorLucasKC Congratulations Katie! Super proud of you and your impressive work on microplastics!

Congratulations to Katie Barnes for being Top 300 in the ThermoFisher Junior Innovators Challenge (the top middle school science competition)! She is one of only two middle schoolers from Kansas City to receive this honor. @UnionStationKC @ksdehq @Society4Science @MayorLucasKC

Meet Anna Holland, a graduate of Shawnee Mission East who spent the 2024–25 academic year in Dr. Ryan Barnes’ lab at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. With a passion for biomedical research, Anna spent her time learning about the complexities of genomic instability in cancer cells. In March, Anna competed in the Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair, where she earned one of just four grand prizes - out of 115 senior projects in the Chemistry division! That win took her to the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio, where she joined 1,657 finalists from 62 countries. Competing in the Molecular Biology subcategory, Anna impressed a panel of nine judges and earned a $10,000 scholarship from Missouri University of Science and Technology, where she’ll begin her journey as a Biomedical Engineering major this fall. We’re proud to support and mentor the next generation of cancer researchers, and we can’t wait to see what Anna accomplishes next!

Congratulations to Cooper Grotzinger-Frierchs for his Grand Award in Earth and Environmental Science at the International Science and Engineering Fair. #RegeneronISEF @Society4Science @SMSouthTDain @theSMSD @theSMEF @DrMichaelSchum1

I had an amazing (and long day) of judging at #RegeneronISEF! It is truly an amazing experience. I am honored to be representing my hometown - Shawnee, Kansas at the international level! Thank you @Society4Science @smsdbiotech @SMWestOffice @CityofShawneeKS

I had a ton of fun with the finalists in the Cell and Molecular Biology category this morning! #RegeneronISEF @Regeneron @Society4Science @SMSDWiL @theSMSD @SMWestOffice

I am all setup for #RegeneronISEF and cannot wait for a fantastic week! Next up is the Opening Ceremony. @theSMSD @SMSDWiL @DrMichaelSchum1 @SMWestOffice @Society4Science @Regeneron

My incredible seniors announced where they are attending school during a signing ceremony on Thursday. Congratulations and we can't wait to see where you go! @uoregon @SDSU @UnivOfKansas @MissouriSandT @UMKC @smnw_office @SMSouthTDain @SMEastLancers @SMWestOffice @theSMSD

I am so proud of my students for their presentations at Heartland Bio-Innovation! Our program received all 3 of the top awards for research. 🥇Anna Holland 🥈Savannah Siceloff 🥉Kate Busenitz @theSMSD @smnw_office @SMEastLancers @BioKansas @KUEdwardsCampus @KUMedCenter

We are so proud of Dr. Lee’s recognition as the Marie Miller Teacher of the Year! His kids care so much for him! @smsdbiotech #AllinSMSD

I am honored to receive the Regnier Award at the SMSD Research and Development Forum for my research on altered neurogenesis! It is the top award for high schoolers in our district. Thank you @theSMSD @theSMEF @DrMichaelSchum1 @SMSDWiL @SMWestOffice @smsd_caa

Getting ready for my National JSHS oral presentation! @SMWestOffice @SMSDWiL @theSMSD @theSMEF @DrMichaelSchum1 @Go_JSHS

Happy Earth Day! 🌎 From the SMSD research team at National @Go_JSHS in Virginia. @SMSouthTDain @SMWestOffice @smnw_office @theSMSD @theSMEF @DrMichaelSchum1

Thank you! None of it would have been possible without your support.

What a great end to the GKC Science and Engineering Fair. Science Coach Special Award Regeneron Biomedical Science Special Award 1st Place in Molecular Biology Pioneer in Science Grand Award I qualified for the International fair for the 3rd year in row! @theSMSD @SMSDWiL

@smsdbiotech @UnionStationKC @theSMSD @DrMichaelSchum1 @SMWestOffice @smnw_office @SMEastLancers @SMSouthTDain It was a blast! I look forward to it every year!

We had a great evening at Greater Kansas City Science and Engineering Fair interview night yesterday! Our students have worked hard all year for this. 8 projects in 7 categories. @UnionStationKC @theSMSD @DrMichaelSchum1 @SMWestOffice @smnw_office @SMEastLancers @SMSouthTDain

I am having fun representing the State of Kansas at the @national_stem festival in Washington DC! Started the trip with some fun activities (visiting Giant Pandas) and I am presenting my research today and Saturday. Thanks @smsdbiotech @theSMSD @xumis3 @theSMEF

Another great day of presentations at the National STEM Honor Society Project-Based Learning Showcase! @theSMSD @smsd_caa @NSTEMHS

Super proud of all of my students for their presentations at Great Plains JSHS. We had 3 of the top 5 who will attend nationals. Elizabeth Barnes - 2nd Place Cooper Grotzinger Frierchs - 3rd Place Sahira Bhakta - 4th Place @theSMSD @smsd_caa @Go_JSHS @theSMEF @erbarnes79

The Great Plains region and SMSD will also be represented by Cooper Frierchs and Sahira Bhakta giving poster presentations.

I am honored to announce that I placed 2nd at Great Plains JSHS. I have been invited to give an oral presentation at National JSHS in Chantilly, Virginia on identifying the genetic mechanism behind altered neurogenesis. Thank you to @smsdbiotech @theSMSD @Go_JSHS @SMWestOffice