On Feb. 10, over 50 students set up their poster boards in the cafeteria with the hope of winning the grand prize and eventually representing the school in the District Science Fair. The projects were full of creativity and insight, and showcased the students’ efforts.

The projects were diverse in many ways. Medical research caught the attention of many judges and guests. Freshmen Jason Cui studied fungi that were known to have fewer side effects when treating cancer patients. “This might be a great way to decrease the side effects that cancer patients have nowadays,” Cui said.

Many projects were based on environmental studies that might impact one’s life directly. Sophomore Gina Li studied the Everglades, which are wetlands in southern Florida. Her project was on the rate of which the Everglades were decreasing. Li said that her inspiration for this project originated from her worry for our environment. “I was concerned with what the diminishing of the Everglades would do to our ecosystem,” she said.

At the award ceremony, 30 students were awarded with first, second, or third prize according to their projects. The first and second prize winners are eligible to move on to the district science fair that will be held in Robinson Secondary School in March.

The Grand Prize was awarded to junior Kelly Martins. Martins extended her research from the previous year, studying the way to decrease the amount of nitrogen and ammonia that comes from sewage systems. She found that eichhornia, a plant commonly known as water hyacinth, reduces up to 80% of nitrate and 87% of ammonia in the water that we eventually drink. Martins was very excited about receiving the grand prize. “I am very excited!” she said. “I didn’t expect this at all.”

The teachers who judged the science fair enjoyed the projects. “Every year, the students are different, so the projects differ,” said biology teacher Ms. Betsy Jones. “I always cannot wait to see what the students will come up with the next year!” Teachers also were very confident on how Langley students will do at the district science fair.  Chemistry teacher Ms. Elisabeth Hoblitzell said, “I am sure that the students will do great at the next level as well.”

Grand Prize

Kelly Martins (11) – Effect of E. Crassipes on Nitrogen Levels

First Place

Jason Cui (9) – Inhibition of Tumor Cell Growth by Cordycepin

Erin Klein (9) – Get Cold…Play Fast

Joseph Valery (9) – Effect of pH on the Efficiency of Algae Biofuel

Aamir Javaid (10) – When Seconds Count

Gina Li (10) – Temporal Variation of Water Surface Area of Everglades

Zack Sanders (10) – Which Lightbulb Fades Least?

Preet Sohal (10) – Effect of Turmeric on Rate of Milk Spoilage

Second Place

Rachel Bugge (9) – Effect of Magnetism on Plant Growth/Germination

Stephanie Dubois (9) – Effect of Diffuser on Temp of Solar Refrigerator

Samuel Houmaoui (9) – Duplicating the Fundamental Components of the TDA

Marissa Lee (9) – Frame Rate to Smooth Movement

Timothy Liu (9) – Wireless Communication on Differing Frequencies

Skye Toor (10) – Effect of Type of Energy on Efficiency of Harvesting

Brady Alden and Oliver Zufall (11) – How Different Types of Insulation Keep a House Warm

Seung Yoon (Michelle) Lee (11) – A Portable Water Filtration for Developing Nations

Spencer Shabshab (11) – Effect of Guitar String Composition on Timbre

Siddhi Venkatraman (10) – Effect of Fibonacci Numbers in Encryption

Ben Talamantes (9) – Effect of Oil Spill in a Wetland Ecosystem

Third Place

William Craver (9) – The Effect of Using Pesticides on Stink Bugs

AJ Pillai (9) – Effect of Depth of Foundation on Tower Displacement

Kate Fitzgerald (10) – Where’s the Water Good?

Kevin Herman and Sam Mayman (10) – Effect of Different Types of Fabric on Rate of Flammability

Alex LaBelle (10) – Effect of Focused Exhaust Gas on Rocket Height

Joseph Lafuria and Sam McHenry (10) – The Effect of Tennis Ball Brand on Bounce Height

Aishvar Radhakrishnan and Xav Ryan (10) – Effect of Type of Glass on Laser Output

Allie Sherlock (10) – Characterizing Homemade Piezoelectric Pickups

Meredith Gallo and Audrey McNicholas (11) – Effect of Liquid Type on Anti-bubble Formation

Sae Hashimoto and Lauren Tangney (11) – Relating Surface Tension and Dish Detergent

Luke Jameson and Ryan Natal (11) – Temperature Effect on Speed of a Tennis Serve

Results compiled by Aimee Cho