New Liberty Sophomore Jailyn Serrano Qualifies for Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair
Ms. Serrano becomes the fifth NLIS student in three years to reach MSEF State Fair
SALEM (May 11, 2026) – Sophomore Jailyn Serrano became the fifth student to represent the New Liberty Innovation School at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering State Fair Apr. 9 at the DCU Center in Worcester.
Ms. Serrano’s project, ‘How Does Temperature Affect Medicinal Production in Fungi,’ was met with very favorable reviews at the MSEF Region IV Science Fair on Mar. 14 at Tufts University, hence her qualification for the MSEF State Fair Apr. 9.
Ms. Serrano’s project detailed how fungi produce different types of medicines and how heat spurs fungi growth. She predicted that the fungus aspergillus niger would show higher growth at higher temperatures than penicillium chrysogenum and, as such, is the preferred type of fungus to use for medications as the Earth warms.
As students display their projects via visuals, they are questioned and critiqued by judges who roam the fair.
“My experience at the state fair was really exciting and something I’ll always remember,” Ms. Serrano said. “At first I was very nervous because there were so many talented students there and the projects were really impressive. Since I was the only student from my school attending, it felt a little intimidating, but it also made me feel proud to represent Salem and my school.
“One of the things I liked most was being able to talk to other students about their projects and seeing how passionate everyone was about science and research,” she added. “I also liked seeing how many different types of STEM projects people created.”
Ms. Serrano spent two months researching her project and forming her hypothesis. Following the Region IV Fair, with advice and critiques from educators, she spent the month memorizing and fine-tuning her presentation in preparation for the state fair on Apr. 9.
Among her takeaways from the experience were patience and perseverance.
“There were many times during my project when I doubted myself or worried that my project wasn’t good enough,” she said. “I learned that science takes patience, problem-solving, and persistence. I also learned how important communication is, especially when presenting research to judges and answering questions.”
Ms. Serrano’s appearance at the MSEF State Fair, which drew approximately 180 high schools and 3,000 students, marked the third straight year that New Liberty was represented. She is the fifth NLIS student to reach the state level in three years.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Jailyn for her outstanding achievement in advancing to the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair,” said Dr. Brenda Goodrum, STEM educator at New Liberty. “Representing our school at the state level is no small accomplishment, and she did so with confidence, curiosity, and determination.
“Our science team has been truly inspired by her courage to explore a topic of personal interest and her commitment to learning beyond the classroom,” Dr. Goodrum added. “She embodies what science at NLIS is all about. Going beyond content knowledge to ask questions, take risks, and pursue understanding.”
Last year, then-sophomore Nevin Lebron and then-freshman Christopher Lemus each represented New Liberty at the state fair at Gillette Stadium while Tyrone Manifold and Shanay Love, now seniors, represented in 2024.
“Jailyn’s work is a powerful example of what student-driven learning can look like when curiosity leads the way,” said Dr. Goodrum. “We are so proud of the way she represented our community and can’t wait to see where her passion for discovery takes her next.”
Though only a sophomore, a career in STEM could be in Ms. Serrano’s future.
“This experience helped me realize that I really enjoy scientific research and learning about real-world scientific problems,” she noted. “Even though presenting was stressful at first, I ended up enjoying being able to explain my work and share what I learned. The experience made me more confident and showed me that I’m capable of doing challenging things, even when they feel intimidating at first.”
Ms. Serrano’s success underscores the District’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan, particularly the core value of elevating learning.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
