2020 Awards

MCSF Fair Awards

6th Grade Physical Sciences

Aerde Bryan, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Simple Electric Motor Coil Wars

Gigi DeMartino, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Electric launcher

Kristyna Matyas, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Dissolution Of Gobstoppers: The Never Ending Journey

Brendan Nolan, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Wilderness Water Purifier

Justin O’Niel, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Apple Browning

Kathryn Ryan, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Maglev Train

Olivia  Suyama, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Which liquids conduct electricity?

Kenneth Cryan, Carmichael Middle School, Third Place
Make Your Own Shampoo and Test How It Performs!

Taha Haque, Carmichael Middle School, Third Place
Flying Winglets (They are more than the tips of the wings)

Noah Howland, Carmichael Middle School, Third Place
Splitting Water: Salt vs No Salt

Katalina McNally, Carmichael Middle School, Third Place
Electromagnetic train

Srithan Thallapally, Leona Libby Middle School, Second Place
How can we extract water from air by using dew traps?

Dylan Trigg, Carmichael Middle School, Second Place
Homemade Acid-Base Indicators, Which Method Is Most Successful!

Tanner Martin, Harrison Middle School, First Place
Potassium Nitrate Rockets

6th Grade Life Sciences                          

Johanna Bays, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Sensational Smells

Caetlyn Kovis, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Sugar Rush: Testing the glucose levels in different foods

Eden Welch, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Laughing-you can’t throw it, but can you catch it?

Ananya  Gubba, Enterprise, Third Place
Can Different Types of Music Affect Concentration and Memory?

Adelina  Craven, Carmichael Middle School, Second Place
Acid Rain

Claire Douglas, Christ the King, First Place
Does different storage conditions affect the pressure and sugar content in apples?

7th Grade Physical Sciences

Eddie Bickett III, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Oil Spill Cleanup with Nanotechnology

Kate Kinnison, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Wind Turbine!

Abby Koech, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Molecular gastronomy: Juice balls

Claire Leavitt, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Fizz Factor

Evyn McLellan, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Diffusion rate of potassium permanganate

Josh Nolan, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Exhaust Emissions Are Bad For You!!!! Using Filters In Your Exhaust Pipes May Decrease The CO Emissions

Luke Rankin, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Starlite: The Fireproof Material

Ally Rohdenburg, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Which Battery Lasts the Longest?

Josephine Safranski, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
How does temperature affect how fast your phone battery dies?

Landry Allen, Christ the King, Third Place
Saving the Forest with Banana Peels and Lint

Reese Larson, Carmichael Middle School, Third Place
During Electrolysis of Water, Which Electrolyte is Most Efficient for Conducting Electricity?

Advaitha Motkuri, Leona Libby Middle School, Third Place
Solar-Powered Water Desalination

Kaitlyn Prigge, Carmichael Middle School, Third Place
Sticky situation

Mariposa Fulsom, Carmichael Middle School, Second Place
Brine Shrimp Lab

Nicole Samaan, Christ the King, Second Place
Calorimetry: Are Calories On The Labels of Popular Snacks Always Accurate?

Ethan Gotthold, Carmichael Middle School, First Place
How Does the Amylose Concentration of Different Starches in a Biopolymer Affect Its Mechanical Properties?

7th Grade Life Sciences

Ali LeMieux, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Lip Care

Izzy Paslean, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
Fertilizer Growth

Isabelle Vetter, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
How does the pitch and volume of sound waves affect how the eardrum reacts?

Josephine Allen, Christ the King, Third Place
Does The Heat Or Sweetness Of Solid And Liquid Foods And Drinks Change The Blood Pressure Of A Human?

Finn Droesch, Christ the King, Third Place
Pathology in Your Hydrology

Maria (Mia) Ghirardo, Christ the King, Third Place
Which White is Right?

Sarah Trigg, Carmichael Middle School, Third Place
Phototropism: The A-Maze-ing Pole Pole Bean Experiment: How Does the Amount and Position of Light Affect the Growth of a Pole Bean Plant?

Emma Miller, Chief Joseph Middle School, Second Place
Where do viruses hang out at school

Navaj Nune, Leona Libby Middle School, First Place
Vitamin D: Role on Calcium Absorption
 

8th Grade Physical Sciences

Jacob Fifield, Carmichael Middle School, Honorable Mention
How Bacterial Nano Cellulose Can Affect the Qualities of Different Composites

Sahir Tandon, Leona Libby Middle School, Honorable Mention
Storage of Renewable Energy

Kevin Nguyen, Christ the King, Third Place
Water Wars – How different types of water affect the power of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Dayna Enderlin, Christ the King, Second Place
Now That’s Ironic

Benedict Zito, Christ the King, First Place
How Wings Work on Mars

8th Grade Life Sciences

Katherine Cooper, Leona Libby Middle School, Honorable Mention
Do Plants Grow Faster Depending On The Direction Of The Seed?

Ian Simpson, Christ the King, Third Place
Night Drivers

Nevaeh Hiatt, Christ the King, Second Place
Which Antacid is Most Effective for Heartburn

Patrick Kovis, Christ the King, First Place
Microbes: Testing the electrical outputs of various microbial fuel cell designs

9th Grade Division

Calvin Copenhaver, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How will different microplastic filter designs affect euglena?

Andres Garcia, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How does a change in the atmosphere affect plant growth?

Lysha Gomez, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How do enzymes in fruit affect the solidiration of jello?

Emma Heeringa, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How do Different Natural Ingredients Affect Bacteria?

Sujei Martinez, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
What is the effect of different hair products on the strength of different types of hair?

Dominique Martinez-Driscoll, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Do different amounts of limestone affect a plants growth?

Macy Norem, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How Do Organic and Inorganic Fruit Decomposition Affect Soil?

Karina Salgado- Cruz, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How do different types of plastic affect the strength of concrete?

Jared Sheehan, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How does fertilizer runoff affect aquatic plants and invertebrates?

Shawnessy Sohappy, Eisenhower High School, Honorable Mention
How do different types of fluoride impact the heart rate and mortality of Daphnia magna?

Adrian Victoriano, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
What is the best way to clean an apple?

Alex Zieske, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Which Form of Common Advil Dissolves Best in DIfferent Beverages?

Bella Dekker, Sunnyside High School, Third Place
Will Algae and Euglena efficiency remove nitrates and phosphates from contaminated water?

Maria Herrera, Sunnyside High School, Third Place
Can Succulents Be Used to Extinguish Wildfires?

Alyzza Castillo, Sunnyside High School, Second Place
How Do Different Skin Types React to Different Amounts of Sulfates

Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert, Hanford High School, Second Place
Time Evolution of a Harmonic Oscillator

Jenna Barger, Richland High School, First Place
Interruptions of frequencies surrounding a black hole

Senior Division

Simon Copenhaver, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
What is the most efficient mode of artificial pollination?

Erica Fajardo, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
What Effect Do Different Types of Air Pollutants Have on the Hill Reaction?

Stephanie Flores, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How does water pollution affect the respiration of CO2 in Freshwater Snails?       

Fabian Garcia, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Effects of Microplastics From Facial Cleansers On Freshwater Ecosystems.

Ajay Harilal, Hanford High School, Honorable Mention
A Low Cost Holographic Approach to Analyze Samples in a Nondestructive Manner

Abby Kerbyson, Hanford High School, Honorable Mention
Effect of Oxybenzone on Hormone Signaling in Bean Plants

Angelique Madrigal, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Natural Inhibitors that Affect the Regeneration in Planaria to Inhibit Angiogenesis

Alexia Mendoza, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
what material of children’s toys retains the most bacteria in a daycare?

Hannah Merritt, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Do The Cleaning Abilities Of Biodegradable And Oral-B Toothbrushes Compare? The Effects Of FDA Approved Toothpaste Versus Nanosilver Based Toothpaste.

Laura Moreno, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
What are the Effects of Acid Precipitation on an Aquatic Ecosystem?

Joshua Oliver, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
The Effects of Theobromine on Drosophila melanogaster

Caroline Rasband, Eisenhower High School, Honorable Mention
How do irrigation and planting configurations impact the profile of runoff from a field?   

Kyleeanna Schenck, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Do Auto Emissions Affect Organisms in the Food Web?

Hailey Schlosser, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How is pollution affecting the photosynthesis of aquatic plants?

Erick Vergara, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Do Cooking Oils Produce Quality Biodiesel?

Colin Xaio, Eisenhower High School, Honorable Mention
How does ocean acidification affect Artemia salina and Isochrysis galbana?

Nolan Yee, Eisenhower High School, Honorable Mention
How do commercial lip balms affect the propensity of Rhagoletis indifferens to lay eggs in cherries?

Augustin Dulauroy, Hanford High School . Third Place
Using an FPGA Soft CPU in an Embedded Environment

Daniel Li, Hanford High School, Third Place
Elucidating Importance of Redox Targeting Materials in Bio-Air Batteries to Develop Low Cost, High Performance, and Environmentally Benign Electric Devices

Shreya Mehta, Hanford High School, Third Place
Quantifying CO2 Flux From Decomposition of Soil Organic Matter and Grass During the Winter Season

Shaheer Arif, Richland High School, Second Place
Thermal Alkaline Pretreatment of Yard Trimmings for Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion

Nicholas Chang, Richland High School, Second Place
#ShotsFired: A Linguistic Analysis of Trauma Following Mass Shootings

Nikhil Devanathan, Kennewick High School, First Place
Kinecting the Dots: 3-Dimensional Mapping with a Scalable Drone Infrastructure

Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School, Grand Prize
Evaluating and Improving Novel Bipolar Membranes for use in Fuel Cells

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School, Grand Prize
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation

Sivaraman Award

The Sivaraman Award is to recognize creativity, hard work, perseverance, and the ability to take risks – attributes needed to solve the most pressing problems in the world.

Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School
Evaluating and Improving Novel Bipolar Membranes for use in Fuel Cells

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation

Special Awards

Mid-Columbia Science Fair Special Awards 2020

US Army

The US Army provides a certificate.  The winners of the US Army Awards are:

Sandra Leyva Martinez, Sunnyside High School, United States Army – Biotechnology
What are the real differences between real brand cosmetics and counterfeit cosmetics?

Nikhil Devanathan, Kennewick High School, United States Army – Computer Science
Kinecting the Dots: 3-Dimensional Mapping with a Scalable Drone Infrastructure

Sankar Harilal, Hanford High School, United States Army – Electrical Engineering
Classification of Geological Rocks by Emission Spectroscopy of Laser-Ablation Plumes

Jaqueline Solano-Barbosa, Eisenhower High School, United States Army – Inorganic Chemistry
How does Motor Oil Exposure Affect the Mobility of Population in C. elegans?

Simon  Copenhaver, Sunnyside High School, United States Army – Mechanical Engineering
What is the most efficient mode of artificial pollination?

Ashley Campos, Eisenhower High School, United States Army – Medical and Health Sciences
What are the demographics of mental health?

Nolan Yee, Eisenhower High School, United States Army – Organic Chemistry
How do commercial lip balms affect the propensity of Rhagoletis indifferens to lay eggs in cherries?

US Air Force

The US Air Force provides a US Air Force Certificate of Achievement, an over the shoulder sling pack, power bank charger, dog tag USB flash memory drive, and a dual USB car charger.  The winners of the US Air Force Awards are:

Reese Alexander, Christ the King, United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement
The Effects of Blue Light

Johanna Bays, Christ the King, United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement
Sensational Smells

Navaj Nune, Leona Libby Middle School, United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement
Vitamin D: Role on Calcium Absorption

Joshua Oliver, Sunnyside High School, United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement
The Effects of Theobromine on Drosophila melanogaster

ONR/US Navy/Marine Corps

The Office of Naval Research, on behalf of the U.S Navy and Marine Corps, supports the Regional Science Fair.  Each winning student receives a certificate of recognition and medal.  Additionally, the two winners from the Senior Division must send in their award verification within 45 days of the fair to receive a $50.00 educational recognition award.  The winners of the Office of Naval Research awards are:

Aerde Bryan, Christ the King, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
Simple Electric Motor Coil Wars

Mary Henriksen, Christ the King, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
Floral Frenzy! (How WiFi can take a toll on your plants)

Patrick Kovis, Christ the King, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
Microbes: Testing the electrical outputs of various microbial fuel cell designs

Emma Miller, Chief Joseph, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
Where do viruses hang out at school

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School, Office of Naval Research Senior Award
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation

Sandra Leyva Martinez, Sunnyside High School, Office of Naval Research Senior Award
What are the real differences between real brand cosmetics and counterfeit cosmetics?

USDA-Agricultural Research Service and the Washington State Potato Commission

Agriculture is an important industry in the mid-Columbia.  The following awards are from the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service and the Washington State Potato Commission for “Outstanding Biological Science Projects.”

Caetlyn Kovis, Christ the King, Outstanding 6th Grade Biological Science Project
Sugar Rush: Testing the glucose levels in different foods

Finn Droesch, Christ the King, Outstanding 7th Grade Biological Science Project
Pathology in Your Hydrology

Patrick Kovis, Christ the King, Outstanding 8th Grade Biological Science Project
Microbes: Testing the electrical outputs of various microbial fuel cell designs

Bella Dekker, Sunnyside High School, Outstanding 9th Grade Biological Science Project
Will Algae and Euglena efficiency remove nitrates and phosphates from contaminated water?

JiaYang Wu, Sunnyside High School, Outstanding 10th Grade Biological Science Project
Effects of tropical fruit components on bacterial growth

Shaheer Arif, Richland High School, Outstanding 11th Grade Biological Science Project
Thermal Alkaline Pretreatment of Yard Trimmings for Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion

Caroline Rasband, Eisenhower High School, Outstanding 12th Grade Biological Science Project
How do irrigation and planting configurations impact the profile of runoff from a field?

American Chemical Society

Ethan Gotthold, Carmichael Middle School, Karen Grant Memorial Excellence in Chemistry Award
How Does the Amylose Concentration of Different Starches in a Biopolymer Affect Its Mechanical Properties?

Andrea Penafiel, Sunnyside High School, Karen Grant Memorial Excellence in Chemistry Award
Can carbonated drinks be carbonated?

American Association of University Women

SueAnn Hamil, Sunnyside High School, AAUW Award
Does the way you hang toilet paper affect the bacterial growth?

Lizbeth Silva, Sunnyside High School, AAUW Award
How does the chemical composition of snow change in various locations?

Ashley Campos, Eisenhower High School, AAUW Award
What are the demographics of mental health?

Columbia Chapter Health Physics Society

The Columbia Chapter of the Health Physics Society is a professional organization whose members are specialists in radiation safety. These Health Physicists are dedicated to maximizing the beneficial use of radiation while minimizing the risk to people and the environment. 

Sahir Tandon, Leona Libby Middle School, Middle School Energy
Storage of Renewable Energy

Jenna Barger, Richland High School, High School Radiation
Interruptions of frequencies surrounding a black hole

Patrick Kovis, Christ the King, 8th grade Application
Microbes: Testing the electrical outputs of various microbial fuel cell designs

Navaj Nune, Leona Libby Middle School, 7th grade Application
Vitamin D: Role on Calcium Absorption

Srithan Thallapally, Leona Libby Middle School, 6th grade Application
How can we extract water from air by using dew traps?

Luke Rankin, Christ the King, 7th grade Application
Starlite: The Fireproof Material

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Columbia River Professional Chapter (CRPC)

Founded in 1977, the AISES is a non-profit organization whose goal is to substantially increase the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in science, technology, engineering, math and other related disciplines.  The CRPC, founded in 1991, supports these national goals, while working at the local and regional level. 

Tobin Bowles, Carmichael Middle School, Good Effort
Contaminate Transportation through Sediments

Ashlen Buenz, Eisenhower High School, Good Effort
How does plastic pollution impact Artemia salina mortality?

Adelina Craven, Carmichael Middle School, Good Effort
Acid Rain

Gigi DeMartino, Christ the King, Good Effort
Electric Launcher

Ethan Ginieis, Carmichael Middle School, Good Effort
Energized Thirst

Katalina McNally, Carmichael Middle School, Good Effort
Electromagnetic Train

Emily Roberts, Carmichael Middle School, Good Effort
How different types of drinks and food stains your teeth.

Shawnessy Sohappy, Eisenhower High School, Good Effort
How do different types of fluoride impact the heart rate and mortality of Daphnia magna?

Lilyanna Vargas, Eisenhower High School, Good Effort
How do temperature and moisture levels affect the runoff profile of a barren field?

Manar Zambetti, Carmichael Middle School, Good Effort
Can charcoal purify water?

Kelbie Bowles, Carmichael Middle School, Outstanding Native American Project
Measuring Surface Tension With Different Heats

Brooklyn Hoffer, Carmichael Middle School, Outstanding Native American Project
Egg Drop

NASA Earth System Science Award

Earth system science is the study of the complex system and the interconnections that occur on Earth.  The Earth system is made up of many different components that interact in complex ways.  When one part of that system is altered, the other parts of the system are affected. This year’s winner of the NASA Earth System Science Award is:

Andres Garcia, Sunnyside High School, NASA Earth System Science Award
How does a change in the atmosphere affect plant growth?

YALE

Yale Science and Engineering Association, Inc.  provides an award for Most Outstanding 11th Grade Exhibit in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry.  The 2020 winner of this award is:

Erick Vergara, Sunnyside High School
Do Cooking Oils Produce Quality Biodiesel?

Ricoh Corporation

Ricoh Corporation presents the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award presented to the student whose research has demonstrated the Principles and Technical Innovations that offer the greatest potential for Sustainable Development.  This year’s winner is:

Colin Xaio, Eisenhower High School, Ricoh Sustainable Development Award
How does ocean acidification affect Artemia salina and Isochrysis galbana?

Tri-City Astronomy Club

Tri-City Astronomy Club recognizes projects related to astronomy.  This year’s winners are:

Gregory Spencer, Carmichael Middle School, Astronomy Award
Rocket Motors

Maeke’a Arthur, Chief Joseph Middle School, Astronomy Award
Catching Stardust

Benedict Zito, Christ the King, Astronomy Award
How Wings Work on Mars

Jenna Barger, Richland High School, Astronomy Award
Interruptions of frequencies surrounding a black hole

STEM Enthusiast

The STEM Enthusiast awards recognize middle school projects that best demonstrate students’ creativity and innovation in exploring the world around them.  Students will be receiving a certificate and gift card.

Reese Alexander, Christ the King, STEM Enthusiast
The Effects of Blue Light

Kelbie Bowles, Carmichael Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
Measuring Surface Tension With Different Heats

Sadie Childers, Carmichael Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
How do the additives affect the strength of the Jell-o

Darrah Lerch, Carmichael Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
Soap Synthesis

Maddy Mohondro, Christ the King, STEM Enthusiast
A Common Killer

Rebecca Morgan, Carmichael Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
Lateralized functions in the dog’s brain.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a not-for-profit membership organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment, and skills development across all engineering disciplines.  Founded in 1889 by a small group of leading industries, ASME has grown through the decades to include more than 120,000 members in over 140 countries around the globe.

Winners of the ASME awards are:

John Phillip Custodio, Leona Libby Middle School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Constructing a robotic toothbrush and testing its effectiveness on plaque

Ajay Harilal, Hanford High School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
A Low Cost Holographic Approach to Analyze Samples in a Nondestructive Manner

Tanner Martin, Harrison Middle School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Potassium Nitrate Rockets

Kaitlyn Prigge, Carmichael Middle School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Sticky Situation

Sigma Xi, Tri-Cities Chapter

Sigma Xi, Tri-Cities Chapter provides awards for the projects that demonstrate the best use of the Scientific Method.

Chris Brain, Eisenhower High School, Best Use of the Scientific Method
Does distance from emission sources impact the particulate profile of snow samples?

Caroline Rasband, Eisenhower High School, Best Use of the Scientific Method
How do irrigation and planting configurations impact the profile of runoff from a field?

SEAW, South Central Chapter

Karina Salgado-Cruz, Sunnyside High School, Achievement in Structural Engineering
How do different types of plastic affect the strength of concrete?

Celeste Vergara-Borges, Sunnyside High School, Achievement in Structural Engineering
What Soil is Most Stable for a Homesite?

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers

Gigi DeMartino, Christ the King, IEEE 6th grade award
Electric Launcher

Ally Rohdenburg, Carmichael Middle School, IEEE 7th grade award
Which Battery Last the Longest?

Sahir Tandon, Leona Libby Middle School, IEEE 8th grade award
Storage of Renewable Energy

Jenna Barger, Richland High School, IEEE 9th grade award
Interruptions of frequencies surrounding a black hole

Nikhil Devanathan, Kennewick High School, IEEE senior division award
Kinecting the Dots: 3-Dimensional Mapping with a Scalable Drone Infrastructure

Inspiring Excellence, Inc

Inspiring Excellence, Inc. supports science fair students with awards for demonstrating excellence.  Excellence is displayed by the following traits: interest, desire, enthusiasm, perseverance, diligence, scholarship, and a positive attitude.  The following students are recognized for excellence in their chosen project:

Aerde Bryan, Christ the King
Simple Electric Motor Coil Wars

Caetlyn Kovis, Christ the King
Sugar Rush: Testing the glucose levels in different foods

Luke Rankin, Christ the King
Starlite: The fireproof Material

Ian Simpson, Christ the King
Night Drivers

Sahir Tandon, Leona Libby Middle School    
Storage of Renewable Energy

Isabelle Vetter, Carmichael Middle School
How does the pitch and volume of sound waves affect how the eardrum reacts?

Inspiring Excellence, Inc., also wishes to recognize a teacher who inspires their students to reach excellence.  This year’s winner is:

Robin Driver, Eisenhower High School, Inspiring Excellence Teacher

Computer Science Award

In presenting this award, our judges hope to encourage increased participation in computer science, one of today’s fastest growing fields, and an important source of innovation for the 21st century.  The winner of the Computer Science Award will receive an Award certificate and a $100 cash award.

Nikhil Devanathan, Kennewick High School, Computer Science Award
Kinecting the Dots: 3-Dimensional Mapping with a Scalable Drone Infrastructure

U.S. Metric Association

The U.S. Metric Association provides one award for the Best use of SI, the International System of Units, in a science fair project.  This year’s winner is:

Josephine Safranski, Christ the King
How does temperature affect how fast your phone battery dies?

Washington State Science and Engineering Fair

The Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF) provides one award for Outstanding Research Based Project Achievement.  The award recipient receives a complementary registration fee to the Washington State Science and Engineering Fair on March 28, 2020 and a complementary t-shirt while attending the fair.

Jenna Barger, Richland High School, Outstanding Research Based Project Achievement Award
Interruptions of frequencies surrounding a black hole

Rosalind Franklin Award

Rosalind Franklin is the scientist whose work was crucial in solving the structure of DNA but did not receive the Nobel Prize. This year’s winners are:

Nolan Yee, Eisenhower High School, Rosalind Franklin Award
How do commercial lip balms affect the propensity of Rhagoletis indifferens to lay eggs in cherries?

Haley Rodriguez, Sunnyside High School, Rosalind Franklin Award
What mixture of organic ingredients are the best for composting?

Luna Longoria, Sunnyside High School, Rosalind Franklin Award
How does cleaning feathers after oil spills affect the physical structure of feathers?

USING STEM to Make the World a Better Place

Aaron Patello, Carmichael Middle School, Achievement in STEM
How to make a earthquake proof building  

Kaitlyn Prigge, Carmichael Middle School, Achievement in STEM
Sticky Situation

Sarah Raihl, Sunnyside High School, Achievement in STEM
How much bacteria are found in School brass instruments?

Shreya Mehta, Hanford High School, Achievement in STEM
Quantifying CO2 Flux From Decomposition of Soil Organic Matter and Grass During the Winter Season

Srithan Thallapally, Leona Libby Middle School, Excellent Achievement in STEM
How can we extract water from air by using dew traps?

Navaj Nune, Leona Libby Middle School, Excellent Achievement in STEM
Vitamin D: Role on Calcium Absorption

Kevin Nguyen, Christ the King, Excellent Achievement in STEM
Water Wars – How different types of water affect the power of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Bella Dekker, Sunnyside High School, Excellent Achievement in STEM
Will Algae and Euglena efficiency remove nitrates and phosphates from contaminated water?

Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School, Excellent Achievement in STEM
Evaluating and Improving Novel Bipolar Membranes for use in Fuel Cells

Fabian Garcia, Sunnyside High School, Excellent Achievement in STEM
Effects of Microplastics From Facial Cleansers On Freshwater Ecosystems.

Nikhil Devanathan, Kennewick High School, Excellent Achievement in STEM
Kinecting the Dots: 3-Dimensional Mapping with a Scalable Drone Infrastructure

GENIUS Olympiad

Rochester Institute of Technology and the Terra Science and Education, Inc., have sponsored the Exceptional Genius Award to honor projects that display excellent work on environment.  The exceptional Genius Award grants the student participation in the Global Environmental Issues Project (GENIUS) Olympiad to be held at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA, between June 15th and 20th, 2020, without pre-screening.  Winning students must submit their application by April 15, 2020 with a $50.00 registration fee and a $230 participant fee.  The fees cover double bed lodging and open buffet meals on campus, travel to Niagra Falls, Maid of the Mist Tour, and Syracuse Airport pickup and drop on arrival and departure days.  Airfare is not covered.   Dr. Richard S. Stark Memorial Scholarship ($200.00) will be help pay for airfare for the trip to Syracuse, New York for the GENIUS Olympiad.   Please talk to our director, Joyce Stark after the awards ceremony for additional information about this scholarship and the GENIUS Olympiad. 

Winners of the Exceptional Genius Award are:

Shreya Mehta, Hanford High School, Exceptional Genius Award
Quantifying CO2 Flux From Decomposition of Soil Organic Matter and Grass During the Winter Season

Caroline Rasband, Eisenhower High School, Exceptional Genius Award
How do irrigation and planting configurations impact the profile of runoff from a field?

Maria Herrera, Sunnyside High School, Exceptional Genius Award (Alternate)
Can Succulents Be Used to Extinguish Wildfires?

American Psychological Association

The American Psychological Association has provided an award for outstanding research in psychological science under the category of behavioral and social sciences or any category related to psychology. This year’s winner is:

Nicholas Chang, Richland High School, Achievement in Research in Psychological Science
#ShotsFired: A Linguistic Analysis of Trauma Following Mass Shootings

American Nuclear Society

This year’s winner of a $1000 scholarship is:

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School, $1000 Scholarship
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation

Society for Invitro Biology

This year’s winner is:

Angelique Madrigal, Sunnyside High School, Outstanding Achievement for Ability and Creativity in In Vitro Biology
Natural Inhibitors that Affect the Regeneration in Planaria to Inhibit Angiogenesis

AWG

The Association for Women Geoscientists award is presented to the female student whose project exemplifies high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences.  This year’s winner is:

Shreya Mehta, Hanford High School, Outstanding Project
Quantifying CO2 Flux From Decomposition of Soil Organic Matter and Grass During the Winter Season

American Meteorological Society

The American Meteorological Society presents a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for excellence in atmospheric or related sciences.  This year’s winners are:

Anders Garcia, Sunnyside High School
How does a change in the atmosphere affect plant growth?

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation        

Water Environment Federation (WEF)

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award of Excellence for a water related science research project goes to winning projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resource management, or water and wastewater treatment.  Winners at the regional level have the opportunity to enter their State Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition and receive a free one-year student WEF membership.  Students must enter the 2020 Stockholm Junior Water Prize State Competition by April 15, 2020.  This year’s winners are:

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School 
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation

Luna Longoria, Sunnyside High School
How does cleaning feathers after oil spills affect the physical structure of feathers?

Colin Xaio, Eisenhower High School
How does ocean acidification affect Artemia salina and Isochrysis galbana?

NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided NOAA’s 2020 “Taking the Pulse of the Planet” award.  This award is presented to the student whose research has demonstrated the principles and technical innovations that offer the greatest potential for an improved understanding of the Earth’s dynamic processes.  This year’s winner is:

Maria Herrera, Sunnyside High School, Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award
Can Succulents Be Used to Extinguish Wildfires?

Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society

The Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society provides an award for students that contribute to the understanding and advancement of natural sciences that enhance the avian environment. 

This year’s winners are:

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School, Outstanding Project Enhancing the Avian Environment
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation

Luna Longoria, Sunnyside High School, Outstanding Project Enhancing the Avian Environment
How does cleaning feathers after oil spills affect the physical structure of feathers?

Benedict Zito, Christ the King, Outstanding Project Enhancing the Avian Environment
How Wings Work on Mars

ASM Materials Education Foundation

AMS Materials Education Foundation provides an award to the Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science. This year’s winner is:

Nikhita Bontha, Hanford High School, Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science
Evaluating and Improving Novel Bipolar Membranes for use in Fuel Cells

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

The Society of Women Engineers takes a very active role in encouraging young women to investigate technical career paths.  Best Female Science Project winners are:

Johanna Bays, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Sensational Smells

Olivia Suyama, Christ the King, Winner – 6th Grade Physical
Which liquids conduct electricity?

Caetlyn Kovis, Christ the King, Winner – 6th Grade Life
Sugar Rush: Testing the glucose levels in different foods

Kaitlyn Prigge, Carmichael Middle School, Winner – 7th Grade
Sticky Situation

Ally Rohdenburg, Carmichael Middle School Winner – 7th Grade
Which Battery Last the Longest?

Dayna Enderlin, Christ the King, Honorable Mention
Now That´s Ironic

Sarah Raihl, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
How much bacteria are found in School brass instruments?

Stephanie Flores, Sunnyside High School, Winner – 10th Grade
How does water pollution affect the respiration of CO2 in Freshwater Snails?

Angelique Madrigal, Sunnyside High School, Honorable Mention
Natural Inhibitors that Affect the Regeneration in Planaria to Inhibit Angiogenesis

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School, Winner – 12th Grade
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation

The Lemelson Early Inventor Prize

For the development of an outstanding invention exhibited at a Society for the Science & Public Science-Affiliated Science and Engineering Fair.  The award includes a $100 prize.  The deadline for completion of the submission process is July 1, 2020.

This year’s winner is:

Kathryn Ryan, Carmichael Middle School, outstanding invention
Maglev Train

Yakima Basin Environmental Education Program

This year’s winners are:

Eddie Bickett III, Christ the King, Green and Clean 6th – 8th Grade
Oil Spill Cleanup with Nanotechnology

Fabian Garcia, Sunnyside High School, Green and Clean 9th – 12th Grade
Effects of Microplastics From Facial Cleansers On Freshwater Ecosystems.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

The United States Agency for International Development provided the Science Champion Award for scientific excellence and using science innovatively to create a potential solution to international development challenges.

This year’s winner is:

Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School, Science Champion Award      
Engineering GENTOO (Green Emulsion Nullification Through Oleophilic Objects) – A Device for Efficient Oil Spill Emulsion Remediation

Broadcom MASTERS Nominees

The Broadcom MASTERS® (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars), is the national competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who participate in affiliated fairs.  The top 10% of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade participants have been selected for this honor.

Each nominee needs to complete an online application to continue in the national competition and be eligible for valuable prizes and awards.  The online entry must be submitted by the June 10, 2020 deadline to enter the next phase of the competition. 

All Broadcom MASTERS nominees that successfully complete the 2020 Broadcom MASTERS online application will receive a   t-shirt and other prizes, such as a free digital prize.  From the entrants, the top 300 MASTERS will be selected and receive a prize package.

Thirty of the top 300 will be named finalists and win an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC from October 16th to 21st, 2020 to participate in the Broadcom MASTERS Finals.  The top winner will win the $25,000 Samueli Prize.

Additionally, in recognition of the importance of the contributions of schools and teachers STEM education, each TOP 300 MASTERS’ classroom will receive special prizes and each finalists’ schools receive $1,000.

Broadcom MASTERS Nominees:

Adelina Craven
Acid Rain

Claire Douglas
Does different storage conditions affect the pressure and sugar content in apples?

Dayna Enderlin
Now That´s Ironic

Mariposa Fulsom
Brine Shrimp Lab

Ethan Gotthold
How Does the Amylose Concentration of Different Starches in a Biopolymer Affect Its Mechanical Properties?

Nevaeh Hiatt
Which Antacid is Most Effective for Heartburn

Patrick Kovis
Microbes: Testing the electrical outputs of various microbial fuel cell designs

Tanner Martin
Potassium Nitrate Rockets

Emma Miller
Where do viruses hang out at school

Navaj Nune
Vitamin D: Role on Calcium Absorption

Nicole Samaan
Calorimetry: Are Calories On The Labels of Popular Snacks Always Accurate?

Srithan Thallapally
How can we extract water from air by using dew traps?

Dylan Trigg
Homemade Acid-Base Indicators, Which Method Is Most Successful!

Benedict Zito
How Wings Work on Mars