Two Arizona teens named regional finalists in Google Science Fair

PHOENIX — Two Arizona teenagers could soon be competing for the title of the best science project in the world.

Divya Vasta and Aakanksha Saxena, both of Scottsdale, have been named regional finalists in the Google Science Fair.

Vasta’s project focused on the effect of social media on the way teenagers perceive gender equality.

“Social media definitely had a positive influence on promoting gender-neutral or gender-equal perception amongst the high school population,” she said.

Saxena’s project focused on solar power.

If either project is picked as a global finalist, it will be presented at Google headquarters in September. The winner will receive a $50,000 prize.

KTAR’s Lauren Grifo contributed to this report.