Malden Student Wins Broadcom Coding Award At State Science Fair

MALDEN, MA — A student received a prestigious coding award at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair held recently at Clark University.

Aarti Ravikumar, 14, of Pioneer Charter School of Science II, received the 2026 Broadcom Coding with Commitment Award for her project, Fractal Exploration. The award is presented by the Broadcom Foundation to a middle school student who uses coding and STEM skills to address a real-world problem connected to one of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

For her project, Ravikumar used self-built code, advanced mathematics and image analysis to study how fractal patterns could support applications in fields such as medicine and scientific research. She also examined the strengths and limitations of image comparison models and artificial intelligence systems.

Judges praised the project for its technical depth, presentation and educational potential. One judge cited Ravikumar's "confidence and excitement for the work," while others encouraged her to continue developing the project into tools that could help others learn about the concepts more easily.

"We are incredibly proud of Aarti. By focusing on an area she is truly passionate about, she delivered a standout project that really highlights her talents," Pioneer Charter School of Science CEO Barish Icin said. "Her accomplishment reflects the very mission of our school: preparing students for success in college and life by developing strong academic skills, resilience, and a love of learning."

Pioneer Charter School of Science II is located in Saugus and serves students in grades K-12 from Saugus, Salem, Peabody, Lynn and Danvers. The charter school focuses on a college preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on STEM and the humanities.

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