76 Aldine ISD Students Advance to Regional Science Fair

Science is more than procedure. The competition encourages science as an interactive, live process.

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[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]T[/dropcap]he regional science fair is here. Qualifying Aldine ISD students have been busy. They were polishing their projects and written reports. The students also practiced their interview skills.

At the district competition, a total of 205 middle and high school students took part. Of these, 76 students and their projects placed in the top three in their event. They advanced to the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]57th Annual Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH) set for Feb. 26-27.

The University of Houston-Main Campus continues to host the event at the Alumni/Athletic Center. The Awards Ceremony will take place Feb. 28 at the University’s Cullen Performance Hall.

The SEFH will host an “Open Public Day” on Feb. 28. The public can view the projects between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. before the Awards Ceremony. Open Public Day will take place at the University’s Athletic/Alumni Center.

What are the benefits of taking part in science fair?

Aldine ISD encourages students to take part in science fair. Some parents might ask why? Yes, it is about helping students become researchers. But it is much more. It gives students a chance to reflect on what they have learned in the classroom. The program also gives them an opportunity to learn independently. Self-learning is an effective way to learn new skills.

Science fair encourages students to use reading, writing and math skills. They use critical thinking skills as they apply logic and scientific methodology. Students also develop communication skills as they express what they learned and discovered. These are skills they can use whether they become journalists, lawyers or doctors.

Science fair also engages students with an interest in STEM fields. The acronym stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. One goal is to inspire students to relate what they have learned in the classroom to the world around them. They select projects based on an interest area. Next, they seek an answer to a question or solve a problem. Inquiry and problem-solving skills are essential for students pursuing STEM careers.

Students compete in individual and group events. Their teachers may assist them with their projects. Students can also contact a university or research facility that will provide support. This could include resources, mentorship or guidance with the project.

Xandra Williams-Earlie works with schools taking part in the science fair. She serves as program director of secondary science. Williams-Earlie stated she is proud when students place. But it means more to her when students find science fun, discover things and apply it to their world.

“A lot of people think of science fair as a step-by-step process,” said Williams-Earlie. “Science is really an active, live process. Students could think an experiment or project will result in one thing. Then they get the data and it’s not what they expected. So now what do they do? Where do they go from here? What will they discover? That is real science.

“The fairs are fun. It’s wonderful to hear students tell you their discoveries. Students are so excited about science and how they can apply science concepts to everyday life.“

Williams-Earlie also thanks [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]JASON Learning and Chevron. They provided a guest speaker for the District Middle School Science Fair. Students got to hear from Dr. Cordell Hardy. He encouraged students to pursue STEM careers.

Hardy is a Global Research and Development (R&D) Manager with 3M’s Safety and Graphics Business. His research teams lead and support technology commercialization programs. Products R&D work on include respirators, and personal protective equipment. R&D also works on commercial cleaning products, commercial graphics and traffic safety solutions.

He also interviewed the students during the science fair.

Hardy is a former National Science Foundation Fellow. He earned his PhD in chemical engineering. Hardy is passionate about the enduring benefits of STEM-focused education.

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Students that take part in science fairs develop into mature, self-confident individuals. They gain the preparation, discipline and drive to reach their career goals.

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Science Fair Offers Many Rewards

Students who do well in regional science fairs have opportunities to win awards. Those that advance to the state competition compete for more rewards. State winners have the opportunity to compete at the national Intel® ISEF competition. Here they have a chance to win awards and cash prizes. Sweepstakes winners of the national contest advance to Intel’s International Science and Engineering Fair. Students compete for substantial cash and scholarship prizes.

High school graduates with records of awards at regionals and beyond find they stand out. They have an advantage over other college applicants. Science fair honors rank high among admission officers at top universities.

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District students that placed in the top three in their category advanced to the SEFH. Winners of the regional competition advance to the Texas Science and Engineering Fair. The state competition is set for Mar. 31 through Apr. 2 in San Antonio.

The University and the Houston Museum of Natural Science are educational sponsors. The competition also has many financial contributors.

SEFH 2016 Financial Contributors

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Chevron[/li] [li] Air Liquide [/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]American Petroleum Institute[/li] [li] Phillips 66 [/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Shell[/li] [li] Houston Geological Society [/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Many other entities from the business and education sector as well as energy sector[/li][/ul]

Students compete in a variety of categories including engineering, chemistry, physics and astronomy. Other categories include biochemistry, microbiology, computer science and mathematics.

Below are the results of the District Science Fair. Again, students that placed first, second and third are competing in the regional competition.

Middle School Individual Projects

Behavioral /Social Sciences

1st Place — “Save Money” by Angel Hudson
Project: Save Money
Campus: Michelle Prospere
Teacher: Aldine S

2nd Place — Jesus Riva
Project: Color in Our Minds
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

3rd Place — Enrique Hernandez
Project: Light Bulb
Campus: Michelle Prospere
Teacher: Aldine MS

Biochemistry Microbiology

1st Place — Cindy Aguilar
Project: Mold Race
Campus: Drew Academy
Teacher: Chandra George

2nd Place — Sabrina Prado
Project: Testing the Storage of MAC and Cheese
Campus: Hambrick MS
Teacher: Tara Hecke

3rd — Raymundo Barrera
Project: Place Pond vs. Lake
Campus: Teague MS
Teacher: Dale Makineni

Botany (Plant Science)

1st Place — Kolby Patton
Project: Which Water is Worthy? Which Water is Wack?
Campus: Drew Academy
Teacher: Chandra George

Environmental Science

1st Place — Kiara Joseph
Project: Composting and Decomposers
Campus: Drew Academy
Teacher: Queenie Charles

2nd Place — Ashley Mendoza
Project: Earth Disasters
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

Medicine/Health

3rd Place — Rashaun Jackson
Project: Hack the Plaque
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

Chemistry

1st Place — Cassandra Chapa
Project: Got Rust
Campus: Hambrick MS
Teacher: Tara Hecke

2nd Place — Janie Delgado
Project: Does the Size Matter?
Campus: Aldine MS
Teacher: Michelle Prospere

3rd Place — Zuy Martinez
Project: Cleaning Coins
Campus: Plummer MS
Teacher: Robert Wesley

Computer Science

3rd Place — Luis Duarte Gonzales
Project: Increase Wi-Fi Internet Speed With Household Items?
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

Electrical & Mechanical Engineering

1st Place — Kennedye Coleman
Project: Revolutionizing Turbines
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

2nd Place — Reginald Green
Project: Fast But No Gas
Campus: Nancy Soria
Teacher: Grantham Academy

3rd Place — Bianca Ponce
Project: Rectangular vs. Truss
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Abigail Martinez

Material Engineering & Bioengineering

3rd Place — Heaven Simien
Project: Hands on Deck
Campus: Aldine MS
Teacher: Michelle Prospere

Mathematics

1st Place — Gabrielle Garcia
Project: Going, Going … Gone
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

Physics & Astronomy

1st Place — Ricardo Pulido
Project: Mass vs. Trebuchet
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Abigail Martinez

3rd Place — Tiana Thomas
Project: Parachute
Campus: Drew Academy
Teacher: Chandra George

Life Science Team Division

1st Place — Noriah Duran & Jarely Leal
Project: Leaf Chromatography
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

2nd Place — Devina Soto, Yajaira Garay Nunez & Hannah Sutton
Project: The Preservation of Freshly Cut Roses
Campus: Hambrick MS
Teacher: Tara Hecke

3rd Place — Abigail Perez, Meredith Rosas & Emely Majano
Project: The Study of Bugs Attraction to Different Colored LED Light Bulbs
Campus: Hambrick Middle School
Teacher: Tara Hecke

Physical Sciences Team Division

1st Place — Lissandra Cruz & Christian Franco
Project: Galvanized vs. Acids
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

2nd Place — Gabriela Berrones & Sarahi Cruz
Project: Are Edible Water Bottles Efficient?
Campus: Stovall MS
Teacher: Gerlinda Magee

3rd Place — Han Van & Tatana McClain
Project: Fruit Electricity
Campus: Shotwell MS
Teacher: Tanya Morris

Digital Photography

Life Sciences

1st Place — Brianna Saldana Mares
Project: Splitting Hairs
Campus: Hambrick MS
Teacher: Tara Hecke

2nd Place — Blanca Sifuentes
Project: Ephelides
Campus: Lewis MS
Teacher: Angelle Mitchell

3rd Place — Caleb Carter
Project: Ratatouille
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Abigail Martinez

Physical Sciences

1st Place — Francean Houngbo
Project: A New Breeze
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Nancy Soria

2nd Place — Mikayla Garza
Project: Science Behind the Beach
Campus: Hambrick MS
Teacher: Tara Hecke

3rd Place — Abigail Perez
Project: Rust on a Nail
Campus: Hambrick MS
Teacher: Tara Hecke

Knowledge Bowl

1st Place — Raphael Bevil & Yazmin Perez
Campus: Teague Middle School
Teacher: Dale Makineni

2nd Place — Christian Pamfile & Giselle Mayoral
Campus: Grantham Academy
Teacher: Abigail Martinez

3rd Place — Hannah Sutton & Devina Soto
Campus: Hambrick MS
Teacher: Tara Hecke

9th Grade

Chemistry

1st Place — Keilah South
Project: Evaporation and Condensation
Campus: Carver High School
Teacher: Sonia Jenkins

Life Sciences Team Division

1st Place — Tania Pineda & Kirstyn Mark
Project: A Memory Melody
Campus: Nimitz 9th
Teacher: Kristin Carlston

2nd Place — Elena Giles & Devanny Jimenez
Project: Luminol
Campus: Aldine 9th
Teacher: Margie Cardenas

Physical Sciences Team Division

2nd Place — Daysi Duarte Benito & Vanessa Sanchez
Project: Lead Contamination in Our Homes
Campus: MacArthur 9th
Teacher: Jacob Mitchell

Digital Photography in Physical Sciences

1st Place — Sabrina Portilla
Project: Transitions in Time
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Ronshon Jeffery

2nd Place — Christopher Cosme
Project: Can You Stay Afloat
Campus: Nimitz 9th
Teacher: Candace Langenbuch

3rd Place — Shania Johnson
Project: Mirror, Mirror on the Spoon
Campus: Nimitz 9th
Teacher: Candace Langenbuch

Digital Photography in Life Sciences

1st Place — Nicole Jimenez
Project: The Red Shoulder Hawk
Campus: Nimitz 9th
Teacher: Candace Langenbuch

2nd Place — Alyssa Ann Davila
Project: Bioprinting a 3D Prosthetic Ear
Campus: MacArthur 9th
Teacher: Jacob Mitchell

3rd Place — Jacqueline Tello
Project: Feeding Time
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Ronshon Jeffery

Knowledge Bowl

1st Place — Sien Johnson & Abigail Tack
Campus: Nimitz 9th
Teacher: Kristin Carlston

2nd Place — Reese Brown & Omar Cortez
Campus: Nimitz 9th
Teacher: Kristin Carlson

3rd Place — Amira Williams & Eugenio Martinez
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Ronshon Jeffery

Grades 10-12

Behavioral Social Sciences

3rd Place — Giselle Valdez
Project: Fast Food: Can Peppermint Improve Reaction Time
Campus: Davis HS
Teacher: Susan Craig

Biochemistry Microbiology

2nd Place — Alberto Morales
Project: Sewage Lights
Campus: Davis HS
Teacher: Susan Craig

Environmental Science

2nd Place — Jonathan Rath
Project: Clean Ice
Campus: MacArthur HS
Teacher: Rosa Osequeda

Computer Science

1st Place — Kalvery Cooper
Project: “uAnderstand?”
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Lyn Del Monte

Energy & Transportation

3rd Place — Irineo Sanchez
Project: Hovering with Speed
Campus: Davis HS
Teacher: Scott McKinney

Physics & Astronomy

3rd Place — Laura Santos
Project: A Fresh Explosive
Campus: Nimitz HS
Teacher: Marie Price

Life Sciences Team Division

3rd Place — Marcial Martinez, Jair Avila & Rafael Aguilar
Project: Need a Boost?
Campus: MacArthur HS
Teacher: Sarah Schramm

Physical Sciences Team Division

1st Place — Keeshawn Baker & Kendale Baker
Project: The 2D Code
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Lyn Del Monte

3rd Place — Jayla Williams, Kayla Ladet & Ineceia Carter
Project: Feelin’ Fruity
Campus: Davis HS
Teacher: Scott McKinney

Digital Photography in Physical Sciences

1st Place — Cecilia Nguyen
Project: Slam Duck
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Lyn Del Monte

2nd Place — Fernando Martinez
Project: Old Trumpet
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Courtney Kehler

3rd Place — Diana de la Torre
Project: Rainbow
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Lyn Del Monte

Digital Photography in Life Sciences

1st Place — Cecilia Amezquita
Project: Girl Working Out
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Courtney Kehler

2nd Place — Luis Rubio
Project: Boris in the Red Forest
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Courtney Kehler

3rd Place — Davis Sotelo
Project: Neon Lights
Campus: Davis HS
Teacher: Mersedyes Boatman

Knowledge Bowl

1st Place — Danny Vilaiya & Carmen Ly
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Courtney Kehler

2nd Place — Luis Guerra Nava & Kiel Fernandez
Campus: Victory Early College HS
Teacher: Lyn Del Monte

3rd Place — Alberto Morales & Irineo Sanchez
Campus: Davis HS
Teacher: Scott McKinney

Congratulations! And Good Luck at Regionals!