The American Red Cross Central Texas Chapter was proud to participate in the Greater Austin Regional Science & Engineering Fair (GARSEF), which brought together more than 170 schools, over 2,500 student projects, and 5,000+ attendees to celebrate scientific curiosity and innovation among young students across Central Texas.

Red Cross Central Texas Chapter Board Members Pradeep Kagitapu and Kristen Currie participated as judges, engaging directly with students and learning about the creative and impactful solutions they are developing. Interacting with these young innovators provided an inspiring opportunity to see how the next generation is applying scientific thinking to real-world challenges.

To further encourage projects focused on humanitarian impact, the American Red Cross introduced a Special Award Category recognizing students whose work addresses community impact and disaster-related challenges. The award honors projects that contribute to areas such as:

• Disaster Relief – including fire and flood mitigation, emergency preparedness, and disaster coordination
• Blood Services – innovations related to blood collection, transportation, and donation awareness
• Health & Safety Training – including first aid, CPR, and water safety initiatives
• Improved communication and technology solutions that support communities during disasters and emergencies
   

These categories reflect the core mission of the American Red Cross — to prevent and relieve suffering with every action through disaster response, preparedness, and humanitarian service.

Pradeep Kagitapu presented the special awards recognizing projects that demonstrated strong potential for community impact and humanitarian benefit. Kristen Currie also served as the emcee for the awards ceremony, helping celebrate and highlight the accomplishments of the participating students.