Mary Kay awards shrimp shell bioplastic second place in science and engineering fair

In Dallas, cosmetics giant Mary Kay has awarded grants to aspiring young scientists at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, including a second-place award for an innovative bioplastic made from chitosan.

Madalena Filipe and Frederico Mauritty of Lisbon, Portugal came in second with HidroQapa, a waterproof bioplastic made from chitosan extracted from shrimp shell waste. The sustainable, biodegradable material could help reduce waste and environmental pollution.

First prize went to a team from Georgia for an AI-enabled app that identifies cancerous tumors.

The winners were selected from nearly 2,000 high-school-aged entrants representing almost 70 countries. In total, the nearly $10,000 in grants were awarded to students with innovative projects focused on finding cures for cancers affecting women, sustainable packaging innovation, and protecting our planet’s most valuable resources.