New Liberty Scholars Lebron, Lemus Advance to Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair

MSEF Slated for Friday, Apr. 4 at Gillette Stadium

SALEM (Mar. 26, 2025) – Sophomore Nevin Lebron and freshman Christopher Lemus will each represent the New Liberty Innovation School at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair (MSEF) Friday, Apr. 4 at Gillette Stadium.

Both Mr. Lebron and Mr. Lemus advanced to the MSEF by way of showcasing their science presentations at the Massachusetts Region IV Science and Engineering Fair Friday, Mar. 7 at Tufts University.

Mr. Lebron impressed with his presentation titled ‘Can Slime Mold Be Used to Kill Bacteria As a Disinfectant?’ in the Biology category. Mr. Lemus’s presentation, ‘Using Filters to Limit Greenhouse Factory Emissions’ (in the Earth and Environmental Science category) was equally impressive.

Mr. Lebron and Mr. Lemus’s successful presentations mark the second straight year NLIS is represented at the MSEF state level. Last year, Tyrone Manifold and Shanay Love, then sophomores, advanced through the Region IV Fair to the MSEF.

Both Mr. Lebron and Mr. Lemus are fine-tuning their presentations in the days approaching the Fair.

Mr. Lebron’s presentation has a personal element to it. He suffers from asthma, and is unable to enter a room that has recently been cleaned with bleach, hence the reason he chose his topic.

“I felt it went well. I want to focus more on what slime mold as a disinfectant can do in a common household setting, such as eliminating bacteria on a table, counter or other surfaces,” he explained. “I also want to do more testing of slime mold on e-coli.”

Mr. Lebron’s unique topic drew raves from the judges. Some of the feedback included:

• ‘Your excitement about slime mold and your project application came through in your presentation!’
• ‘Very interesting topic and I am impressed with the level of independence in designing and executing the experiment. The presentation is great.’
• ‘Great start to finding a unique solution to a common problem in science. Would love to see the continuation of this…as an environmentally conscious alternative.’

“Nevin’s project was highly impressive due to the innovative approach to sustainability and microbiology,” said NLIS STEM educator Dr. Brenda Goodrum. “The idea of using dictyostelium discoideum as a natural disinfectant is both creative and practical. Nevin’s ability to connect the ecological role of slime molds to real-world applications, such as replacing chemical disinfectants, demonstrates strong critical thinking and scientific reasoning.

“Nevin’s ability to identify a sustainable alternative to chemical disinfectants highlights the importance of thinking outside the box when solving global issues,” Dr. Goodrum added.

Mr. Lemus admittedly never expected to go further than the Region IV Fair. “I overcame a lot of anxiety, the anxiety of a lot of people around me, talking to strangers,” he said. “The whole time I kept comparing myself to people there. I kept thinking I could never make it to Gillette.”

The judges at the Fair thought otherwise, offering plaudits for his thorough research. Among the comments included:

• ‘Good thought process and overall good work on the experiments.’
• ‘Your research is very relevant to society and shows a lot of promise. I really enjoyed learning about your project and hope you continue with this research in the future.’
• ‘Great work in conducting this experiment as it’s very relevant to the real world. Curious to see how this project is expanded on.’

“Christopher’s project stood out because it tackled a pressing global issue – climate change – through an accessible and experimental approach,” said Dr. Goodrum. “The research was grounded in current environmental concerns, with strong supporting evidence on the impact of industrial emissions.

“Christopher’s ability to compare multiple filtration methods and assess their effectiveness demonstrates strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills,” she added.

The success of Mr. Lebron and Mr. Lemus 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.