HOLDEN — The cafeteria at Wachusett Regional High was not filled with students eating on Feb. 27; instead, science fair displays were set up on most of the tables.
The school’s 69th annual science fair had the place quietly buzzing, as judges traveled among the displays, discussing the work with the student exhibitors.
Chemistry teacher Nicholas Guerin, who said he has been coordinator of the school’s fair for 20 years, was very pleased with the event.
“These are our honors science students in grades 9 to 11,” he said.
This year drew 59 participants, a number that is up since COVID, but not quite as high as the 70-plus participants they had before the pandemic.
“We did a virtual fair for a year during COVID, but that didn’t really draw a lot of entries,” Guerin said. “But we’re trending up, and next year we’ll (probably) see more.”
The top 12 finalists from the WRHS science fair compete at Worcester Polytechnic Institute . Whoever places there goes on to the state event.
Award winners
Megan Darmanin was the recipient of the Harry Strock/Lou Trostel Outstanding Freshman Project Award.
The following winners compete at WPI in the Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 8.
Honorable Mention:
Abigail Lei – Type and Exposure Length of Activated Carbon on the Effectiveness of Trypan Blue Dye Removal
Jocelyn MacDonough – The Intergenerational Effect of Ethanol on the Cognition and Behavior of Drosophila melanogaster
Ekaavli Daga – The Effectiveness of Microalgae in the Bioremediation of Motor Oil
Third Place:
Megan Darmanin – The Effects of the Level of Salinity of Water on Homemade Biodegradable Plastics
Annika Cranson – Flood Watch; Reducing Surface Water Flow, Over Impermeable Soil, After High Precipitation Using a System of Subterranean Tubing
Matthew Lyubchik – The Application of Generative Design in the Optimization of Model Rocket Motor Nozzle Contours for Maximum Specific Impulse
Second Place:
Abigail Blechner – The Effect of Magnesium Sulfate and Chamomile Tea (Separately) on the Heart Rate of Daphnia magna
Sasha Litvak – The Effect of Dead Sea Mud Minerals and Herbal Additives on the Regeneration of Dugesia tigra
Alyssa Kruger – Fungi Versus Fast Fashion
First Place:
Avery Kremer – The Effect of Caffeine Addiction Withdrawal on the Memory of Newborn Drosophila melanogaster
Sasha Teymurazyan – The Effects of Storage Conditions and Oxidation of MXene Films
Sierra Kelch (overall winner) – Comparing the Effects of BPA and BPS on the Heart Rate and Reproduction of Daphnia magna.
