GCDS Students Win Top Prizes at 2025 Connecticut Science Fair

Greenwich, CT - March 27, 2025 - Two Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS) juniors, Cooper Taylor and Chris Suy, received major awards at the 2025 Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair. Both students presented their projects at Quinnipiac University on March 12 and attended the awards ceremony on March 15.

Cooper Taylor's project on "Optimizing Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Aircraft Efficiency Through Propeller Design" received several awards, including first place in Physical Sciences Senior High Individual. Cooper has been selected to represent GCDS at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in May in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, he placed second at the Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) and will join three other Connecticut students in presenting his work nationally in Virginia.

Chris Suy presented "The Effectiveness of an Adaptive Traffic Light Utilizing IoT Technologies," earning recognition for innovation in engineering and excellence in physical sciences.

Since the creation of the new high school five years ago, GCDS has built its scientific and engineering research program from the ground up. In that time, more than 40 students have competed at the CT Science Fair. "Chris and Cooper are the first to compete in the finalist round and win big," said Dr. Nathan Haag, Upper School Biology teacher. "Their work is a shining example of what can be accomplished here at GCDS."

"We are very proud of the accomplishments of these two students and look to build on this success for years to come," said Dr. Chris Winters, Head of Upper School.

The Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair, a yearly, statewide science and engineering fair for students in Grades 7-12, aims to attract young people to careers in science and engineering while developing scientific, research, and critical thinking skills. The Fair is organized and judged by academic and industry leaders throughout the state.

"My teachers have given me the academic framework to learn and solve problems through project-based work, which helped me develop the skills to research and build," said Suy.

"Over the past year, I have dedicated thousands of hours to this project," said Taylor. "This journey has been incredibly rewarding—filled with many designs, rebuilds, and yes, quite a few crashes. This project has shown me the power of persistence, creativity, and personal initiative."

Award Details:

Cooper Taylor: "Optimizing Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Aircraft Efficiency Through Propeller Design: Making Air Flight More Accessible, Affordable, and Sustainable"

• Connecticut Science Fair Association Physical Science Awards — 1st Place - Physical Sciences Senior High Individual - $300
• Pepsico Engineering Awards - 3rd Place Engineering Senior High — $100
• H. Joseph Gerber Award of Excellence - Physical Sciences 1st HS — $1,000, Silver Medal of Excellence, CASE Annual Meeting Invitation
• NASA EARTH System Science Award —$25
• American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics - Connecticut Section — $200
• MTU Aero Engines North America, Inc. - Mechanical Engineering Applied Principles Award — $250
• Zepke Awards - Best Use of Electronic Circuitry- Senior H — $150

Chris Suy: "The Effectiveness of an Adaptive Traffic Light Utilizing IoT Technologies"

• MTU Engines North America, Inc. award for Mechanical Engineering Innovative Concept — $250
• J.A. Augustine & H. Glista Awards for excellence in Physical Sciences — $100
• EnergizeCT Finalist Medallion in Future Sustainability

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