University School Takes Top Honors in Science Fair

Arnie Miller, Upper School biology and marine science teacher at University School, hosted the Second Annual Science Congress on Jan. 23 in the Sonken Dining Commons.

Some of the freshman and sophomore project experiments included: “The Effects Metronidazole and Ionic Liquid Silver on Escherichia coli, a Bacterial Strain found in Crohn’s Disease”; “The Effects of Ozone Gas on Asthma and Reactive Airway Disease”; and even “Using Solar Energy to Power a Tent for Camping.”

All science fair projects created by students in Arnie Miller’s biology honors and scientific research classes and Kate Koontz’s biology honors class were entered into the 33rd Annual Regional Broward County Science Fair. This year, University School achieved nine out of 10 winners! Out of these nine winners, six received first place (in their category) and all were chosen as state finalists. These honors placed University School first in Broward County among all private and public schools. Congratulations to all who participated.

The winners are:

FIRST PLACE & STATE FINALIST:
Caitlin Gonzalez (9th grade)
Medicine and Health: Effects of Cinnamon on Candida albicans
Special award: U.S. Navy

FIRST PLACE & STATE FINALIST:
Samantha Greissman (10th grade)
Medicine and Health: Effect of Ozone/Air Quality on Asthmatic/RAD Patients
Special awards: American Lung Association, Ricoh Corporation, U.S. Navy

FIRST PLACE & STATE FINALIST:
Scott Blair (9th grade)
Engineering: Designing a Hurricane Proof Fence
Special awards: National Society of Professional Engineers, Florida
Engineering Association, Herbert Hoover Young Engineers Award

FIRST PLACE & STATE FINALIST:
Zach Sturman (9th grade)
Engineering: Using Solar Energy to Power a Tent for Camping

FIRST PLACE & STATE FINALIST:
Kyle Beckman (10th grade)
Microbiology: A Comparison of the Effects of Metronidazole and Ionic Liquid
Silver on Escherichia coli, a Bacterial Strain Found in Crohn's Disease

FIRST PLACE & STATE FINALIST:
Tyler Laurence (9th grade)
Environmental Sciences: Abiotic and Biotic Differences Between Natural and Controlled Freshwater Lake Environments

SECOND PLACE:
Gabriela Alvarez (10th grade)
Zoology: Effects of Gotu Kola on Planaria Regeneration

SECOND PLACE:
Samuel Basch (9th grade)
Behavioral Sciences: Effect of Peppermint Oil on Memory

FOURTH PLACE:
Edward Chiang (9th grade)
Microbiology: Effects of Japanese Horse Radish (Wasabi) on Mixed Protists
Special award: Museum of Discovery and Science

PARTICIPANT:
Branden Marcus (10th grade)
Zoology: Comparison of Numbers and Kinds of Insects that Appear at Different Phases of the Moon in a Tropical Oceanfront Suburban Area
Special award: Museum of Discovery and Science