Franklin Awarded Scholars 2024

Franklin Academy is proud to recognize the Franklin Awarded Scholars 2024, a group of outstanding students whose research projects demonstrated academic curiosity, independent thinking, and strong scholarly potential.

Each year, Franklin students pursue research topics that challenge them to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and explore real-world issues across multiple academic fields. The 2024 awarded scholars represent a wide range of interests, including biomedical science, artificial intelligence, engineering, music and society, business, economics, and public policy.

Through their research work, these students showed the creativity, discipline, and intellectual ambition that Franklin Academy encourages in every learner. Their achievements reflect not only individual dedication, but also the value of a learning environment that supports inquiry, exploration, and academic growth.

The following students were selected as Franklin Awarded Scholars 2024 Finalists for their exceptional research work and strong project outcomes.

Michelle Lee
Research Topic: Spatial Transcriptome Profiling of Human Liver Tissue by MERFISH

Xinyan Shi
Research Topic: Beethoven or Ed Sheeran? Teenagers’ Reactions and Opinions Regarding Classical Music in Today’s Society

Edwin S. Hou
Research Topic: Can We Trust ZeroGPT? A Comprehensive Statistical Analysis of an AI-Generated Text Detection Tool

Kai-Wei Sung
Research Topic: What Role Does Social Media Marketing Play in the Growth Strategies of SMEs Started by Young Entrepreneurs?

The finalist projects highlight the depth and diversity of student research at Franklin Academy. From molecular profiling in human liver tissue to the reliability of AI-generated text detection tools, these projects reflect how students can engage with advanced questions that connect classroom learning to current academic and social issues.

The following students were recognized as Franklin Awarded Scholars 2024 Semifinalists for their strong research performance and meaningful contributions to their chosen areas of study.

Erik Guanchen Shen
Research Topic: Comparison of Rocket Nozzle Engine Designs Based on Different Propellant Combinations

Meadow Shen
Research Topic: A Comparative Analysis of Deep Learning Models for Adverse Weather Classification in Autonomous Driving

Jeremy Zhang
Research Topic: Development of an Ergonomic Computer Mouse for Users with Repeated Strain Injuries

Xinhe (Heley) Zhang
Research Topic: US Presidency and Economic Change

The semifinalist projects demonstrate strong analytical thinking and real-world relevance. Students examined topics ranging from aerospace engineering and autonomous driving to ergonomic product design and the relationship between presidential leadership and economic change.

Research allows students to move beyond traditional classroom learning. Instead of simply studying existing knowledge, students learn how to ask original questions, examine evidence, compare perspectives, and communicate their findings with clarity.

For high school students, research can be especially valuable because it builds both academic and personal skills. Students must learn how to manage a long-term project, refine a research question, evaluate sources, organize information, and present their conclusions in a thoughtful way.

These experiences help students develop important skills such as critical thinking, academic writing, data analysis, problem-solving, independent learning, communication, and intellectual confidence.

The Franklin Awarded Scholars 2024 have shown that meaningful research can begin before college. With the right guidance, motivation, and academic structure, students can explore complex topics and produce work that reflects genuine curiosity and scholarly effort.

One of the most impressive aspects of the 2024 awarded scholar list is the range of academic disciplines represented. Students explored topics in STEM, artificial intelligence, engineering, social science, business, economics, and the humanities.

This interdisciplinary range reflects Franklin Academy’s belief that student research should not be limited to one field. Some students may be drawn to biology or computer science, while others may be interested in music, entrepreneurship, public policy, or economics. By encouraging students to pursue topics connected to their personal interests, research becomes more meaningful and more authentic.

The 2024 research topics include questions such as:

• How can advanced imaging technologies help us better understand human tissue?
• How do teenagers respond to classical music in today’s society?
• Can AI-generated text detection tools be trusted?
• What role does social media marketing play in young entrepreneurs’ business growth?
• How do rocket nozzle designs compare across different propellant combinations?
• How can deep learning models improve autonomous driving in adverse weather?
• How can ergonomic design reduce repeated strain injuries?
• How are U.S. presidency and economic change connected?

These questions show that Franklin students are not only learning academic content; they are also applying their knowledge to real-world problems and contemporary issues.

Franklin Academy congratulates all students recognized as Franklin Awarded Scholars 2024. Their achievements reflect dedication, curiosity, and a strong commitment to academic excellence.

We are proud to celebrate these students and their research accomplishments. Their work represents the spirit of inquiry that Franklin Academy hopes to inspire in every student: the courage to ask meaningful questions, the discipline to pursue answers, and the confidence to share ideas with the world.

Congratulations to the 2024 finalists and semifinalists. We look forward to seeing how their academic journeys continue to grow.