Akhull Guthala is an eighth grader at Iles School, whose science fair project from last year was entered in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Akhull Guthala is an eighth grader at Iles School, whose science fair project from last year was entered in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Only 10% of science fair projects in the country are eligible to enter the challenge.

Guthala's seventh grade science fair project went from the school level all the way up to the state competition in Champaign. 

"My presentation was about how I used caffeine to grow plants," Guthala said. "I used the chemical caffeine and I used coffee powder to help grow the plants." 

Guthala got the idea after watching his parents use food waste to spur plant growth. He hypothesized that caffeine, which gives humans energy, would help the plants grow. 

While his hypothesis was incorrect, he learned a lot about the scientific method, research and presenting his work. 

"It taught me that what you expect sometimes isn't always going to happen," Guthala said. "I didn't expect to get the award, and it was a surprise. I felt proud of myself." 

Guthala said he was supported by his teachers, principal, parents and fellow students. His teacher, Sheryl Berendes, said he has inspired other students. They often want to look at his board or ask how he came up with the idea. 

"A lot of the students want to make sure they are doing the best that they can do," Berendes said. "A lot of times, the biggest stumbling block is when their idea doesn't work." 

As part of her classwork, Berendes helps kids come up with their science fair idea and determine if it is something that can be tested. She also structures her classes so students can learn how to research their ideas and plan their projects. 

"I think the thing that makes it different is they all choose something that is of interest to them to experiment," Berendes said. "I require them to at least look up five other sites and points of research that pertain to the project that they are doing." 

The finalists for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge get to travel to Washington, D.C., to present their projects and learn about different STEM fields. 

Guthala is now in eighth grade and is brainstorming his idea for his science fair project this year. He hopes to make it to the state competition again this year. 

Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.