Ventura County Students’ Top Science Projects Honored at Fair

Tenth-grader Erin Phillips of Hueneme High School explored how music affects memory. Eleventh-grader Kevin Sher of Calabasas High School explored whether overcrowding has an effect on common field crickets. And sixth-grader Sarah Harburg from Chaparral Middle School tried to plumb the effects of vinegar on sheep reproduction.

All three received awards for their entries in the Ventura County Science Fair, sponsored by the county schools superintendent’s office. They were among 860 students who participated in the fair Wednesday.

“In some years, you get the simple run-of-the-mill fairs,” said organizer Harry Evry, who previously served as a fair judge. “This year, there seems to be a lot of new ideas. Every judge has said they’re surprised at what they’ve seen. [The projects] are more diverse, and that also makes it harder to judge and compare.”

After reading through students’ reports, observing their displays, and listening to explanations of the hows and whys of the experiment, judges culled what they considered the best projects.

This year, first-, second- and / or third-place winners were named in 17 categories in each division: sixth-grade, junior (seventh and eighth), and senior (grades nine through 12).

Winners in the junior and senior divisions are eligible to compete in the California State Science Fair on May 19 and 20 at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles.

Here are the following winners in each of the divisions and categories:

JUNIOR DIVISION

Applied Mechanics, Structures and

Mechanisms, Manufacturing

1. Cameron Smith, “The Seismic Design of Structures,” Mesa Verde Middle

2. Shannon Armijo, “Water Power,” La Reina High

3. David McLean, “Ball Bearings,” Sequoia Intermediate

Behavioral Sciences

1. Michael Fitzgerald, “Who’s Right and What’s Left,” Mesa Union

2. Rasika Chakravarthy, “Connection Between 11-, 12-Year-Olds’ Retention Capacity and Subject Favored,” Medea Creek Middle

3. (tie) Nathaniel Kunes, “What’s Love Got to Do With It!--The Secret to a Successful Marriage,” Colina Middle, and Janine Oliver, “Is There a Difference Between Male’s and Female’s Working Memory?”, Ocean View Junior High

Biochemistry, Molecular Biology

1. Sumeet Mitter, “Sugar Composition in Fruits With Implications for Diabetics: A Second Tier Study,” Mesa Verde Middle School

2. Adam Corzine, “Regeneration: Ruler of the Kingdoms,” Mesa Verde Middle

3. Lisa Cooper, “Cells and Diffusion in Reaction to Stimulants,” Mesa Verde Middle

Chemistry

1. Amy Wright, “Purification of Water by Crystallization,” Monte Vista Intermediate

2. Victoria A. Malone, “Testing Reaction Combinations of Hydrogen and Oxygen,” Colina Middle

3. (tie) Sarah Carrillo, “The Effects of Sunscreen Upon Bacterial Growth,” Mesa Verde Middle; Todd Griffiths, “Sick Paint,” Fremont Intermediate, and Nicole Prewitt, “Which Laundry Detergent Works the Best?”, Colina Middle

Earth Sciences, Planetary Sciences,

Physical Environments

1. Sean Ayers, “The Prediction of Wind Direction,” Mesa Verde Middle

2. Erica Villasenor, “The Effect of Radiation Inversions on Ozone Levels,” Ocean View Junior High

3. Michelle Newlon, “Cosmic Rays and Magnetic Forces,” Los Altos Intermediate

Electricity and Electronics

1. John Nelson, “Battery Power,” Colina Middle

2. Nathan Glyer, “Improving Reception on Channel 2,” Anacapa Middle

3. John Kim, “Which Cloth Substance Conducts the Most Static Electricity?”, Fremont Intermediate

Environmental Sciences

1. Brian Decal, “Turn on the Tap,” St. Paschal Baylon

2. MariEllen Cottman, “Various Contours and Their Effects on Soil Erosion,” Ocean View Junior High

3. Scott Murphy, “Which Section of Westlake Village Has the Most Pollution in the Form of Airborne Particles?”, Colina Middle

Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics,

Thermophysics

1. Joey Tormos, “Optimizing the Drag Coefficient of Cars,” Mesa Verde Middle

2. Molly Davis, “Angle of Attack Versus Lift in Wings,” La Reina High

3. Alex Omoto, “Which Form of Thermal Insulation Is Most Effective?”, Sequoia Intermediate

Mathematics and Software

1. Max Helix, “How Much Shuffling Is Enough?”, Sequoia Intermediate

2. Justin Worth, “Future PCs: The Three-Dimensional Operating System,” Mesa Verde Middle

3. Vinay Shah, “Computer Testing of Emotional Sounds,” Mesa Verde Middle

Microbiology

1. Erik Hokom, “Does Ethanol Have a Direct Effect on Macrophages?”, Colina Middle

2. Anees Abbas, “Bacteria the Silent Killer,” Mesa Verde Middle

3. Heather Anne Paul, “Moldy Mouthpieces,” Medea Creek Middle

Pharmacology, Toxicology

1. Rachael Reyes, “Fighting Cancer in Plant With Beta-Carotene,” Chaparral Middle

2. Brent Ford, “Are You Killing Yourself?”, Medea Creek Middle

3. Stephanie Gumpel, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” Cabrillo Middle, and Katherine Stout, “Protecting Against Ultraviolet Light,” Le Reina High

Physics and Astronomy

1. Joseph Hurst, “Iced Wings,” Colina Middle

2. Cristina Tangonan, “What Will Happen When You Force Light Through a Slit?”, E. O. Green

3. Andrea Susman, “Geometrical Shapes and Liquids: Cohesion, Adhesion Factors,” Balboa Middle

Physiology

1. Brithi Belcher, “Do Sense of Smell and Sight Affect the Sense of Taste?”, Le Reina High

2. Ashwin Jayant, “Aachoo--Keeping Allergies Under Control,” Mesa Verde Middle

3. Michael Lotan, “The Relationship Between Differential Vision Acuity and the Ability to See in 3-D,” Colina Middle

Plant Biology

1. Ian Whittinghill, “What Conditions Will Make a Plant Grow in a Certain Direction?”, Hillcrest Christian

2. Tara Barker, “The Effect of Seawater in Plant Life,” Chaparral Middle

3. Karmeron Teal, “What Is the Effect of Different Levels of pH on Hydroponically Grown French Breakfast Radishes?”, Cabrillo Middle

Social Sciences

1. Evan Hess, “Computer Game Players Beware! The Effects of Game Playing on Blood Pressure,” Colina Middle

2. Melissa Price, “Too Fat . . . Too Thin . . . Do Teenagers Have a Chance?”, Mesa Verde Middle

3. Tiffany Salmorin, “The Neighborhood Watch Program,” Santa Clara Elementary

Zoology

1. Shannon Wilkins, “Red Worms to the Rescue,” Fremont Intermediate

2. Heather Harper, “The Effect of Temperature on Carassius Auratus (Goldfish)”, Chaparral Middle

3. Nicole Kaspar, “Earthworms,” Las Colinas

Team Projects

1. Chris Saunders and Alan Bautista, “Toxic Avengers of Oil Spills,” Santa Clara Elementary

2. Jonathan Contos and Adam Borelli, “Does Color Affect Reading Rate?”, Colina Middle

3. Viviana Lopez and Crystal Demate, “Adobe Bricks and Clay,” Ocean View Junior High

SENIOR DIVISION

Applied Mechanics, Structures and

Mechanisms, Manufacturing

1. Omar Abed, “Testing the Insulating Efficiency of Various Packing Materials,” Moorpark High

Behavioral Sciences

1. Erin Phillips, “How Is Your Memory Affected by Music?”, Hueneme High

2. Elizabeth Jordan, “Does Smell Affect Taste?”, Calabasas High

3. Bree Beltran, “Be Careful How You Say It,” Hueneme High

Biochemistry, Molecular Biology

1. Timmy Yuen, “Pine Taxonomy Through DNA Comparisons,” Santa Paula High

2. Armando Hernandez, “Lemon Versus Orange: Searching for Vitamin C,” Hueneme High

3. Brit Gasaway, “Elastomers in Action,” Pacific High

Chemistry

1. Jessica Hser, “Soap Bubbles,” Le Reina High

2. Deborah Muller, “The Decomposition of Vitamin C in Orange Juice,” Ventura High

3. Matthew Swaney, “What Really Works Best: Cleaning With Lard and Lye,” Ventura High

Earth Sciences, Planetary Sciences,

Physical Environments

1. Linda Ly, “Do Jetties Help Prevent Sand Depletion,” Hueneme High

2. Jeff Morris, “What Type of Clouds Block the Most Ultraviolet Rays?”, Calabasas High

3. Brian Roe, “How Different Was Southern California 100 Million Years Ago?”, Calabasas High

Environmental Sciences

1. Sara Wilkins, “Capturing the Sun Encore,” Oxnard High

2. Michelle Collazo, “Is the pH in Our Acid Rain Unhealthful for Our Plants?”, Hueneme High

3. Daniella Martinez, “Bye, Bye Oil,” Hueneme High

Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics,

Thermophysics

1. Julie Burris, “Which Textile Is Most Resistant to Heat Transfer?”, Oxnard High

2. Jaclyn Harriott, “Wind Power Compared to the Designs of Turbines,” La Reina High

3. James Potter, “Stability and Buoyancy on the High Seas,” Hueneme High

Mathematics and Software

1. Navroop Mitter, “Geometric Trisection of Known Angles,” Moorpark High

2. Anthony Martinez, “Against All Odds,” Hueneme High

3. Gavin Humes, “No More Papers, No More Books. . . ,” Moorpark High

Microbiology

1. Mike LeMay, “Does Mouthwash Kill Bacteria,” Oxnard High

2. Michelle Scarberry, “Do You Know What’s Growing on Your Toothbrush?”, La Reina High

3. Aya Osuga, “Do Plants or Molds Have the Ability to Purify Water,” Calabasas High

Pharmacology, Toxicology

1. Llewellyn Somers, “Ix-nay on the Ant Spray,” Oxnard High

2. Emily Susman, “Ethylene and the Metamorphosis of the Tenebrio,” Buena High

3. Robyn Levenson, “Do Carpet Fumes Affect Plants?”, Calabasa High

Physics and Astronomy

1. Inbal Rubin, “How Is Light Affected Through Transparent Materials Other Than Air,” Calabasas High

Physiology

1. Kelly Smith, “Don’t Get Burned,” La Reina High

2. Toni Caro, “Who’s Stronger, Men or Women?”, Hueneme High

3. Erica Vargas, “Do Different Types of Music Affect Your Heartrate?”, Hueneme High

Plant Biology

1. Emily Miller, “Grey Water Gardening,” La Reina High

2. Valerie Carey, “Does Miracle-Gro Really Work?”, Hueneme High

3. Jennifer Ross, “Plant Growth in Burnt Areas,” Calabasas High

Zoology

1. Kevin Sheer, “What Affect Does Habitat Size Have on the Behavior of Common Field Crickets?”, Calabasas High

2. David Ahdoot, “Are Fruit Flies as Dumb as We Think?”, Calabasas High

3. Everett Pfeiff, “Does the Amount of Food Affect the Reproduction of Drosophilia Melanogaster?”, Calabasas High

Team Projects

1. Maribel Reyes, Erica Vazquez and Karina Vazquez, “The Mega Bean,” Hueneme High

2. Teresa Hodges and Heather Montgomery, “Is It Durable?”, Hueneme High

3. Jacquelynne Fontaine and Erandi Lopez, “Fatty Foods: The Pressure Is On!”, Oxnard High

SIXTH-GRADE DIVISION

Applied Mechanics, Structures and

Mechanisms, Manufacturing

1. David Baker, “The Strength of Bridges,” Chaparral Middle

2. Caroline Horowitz, “Comparison Between a Sand Filter, Gravel Filter and Coffee Filter,” Pinecrest School

3. Ben Sycamore, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”, Santa Rosa School

Behavioral Sciences

1. Nathaniel Jones, “Impulse Control: Now or Later?”, Chaparral Middle

2. Nich Mrozowski, “Creepy Crawlers,” Westlake Elementary

3. Cindy Gonzalez, “Memory,” Rose Avenue

Chemistry

1. Mary Jennifer Naef-Lopez, “ ‘Ink’gredients,” St. Paschal Baylon

2. Billy Shaw, “Density in Different Household Objects,” Mesa Verde Middle

3. (tie) Lindsey Sanders, “Poppability of Popcorn,” Chaparral Middle, and Javier Zarate, “Do Higher-Priced Candles Burn Longer?”, Santa Clara Elementary

Earth Sciences, Planetary Sciences,

Physical Environments

1. Marisa Santelli, “Plants Take a Shower,” Mesa Verde Middle

2. Ian Morton, “A Comparative Study of Soil Contamination in the Form of Petroleum Products--On or Near Gasoline Dealers,” Ocean View Junior High

3. Colette Hollander, “How Clean Is the Ocean’s Water?”, Chaparral Middle

Electricity and Electronics

1. Megan Bucka, “Watt’s the Difference?”, Mesa Verde Middle

2. Todd Stopher, “Factors That Affect the Life of a Battery,” Grace Brethren

3. Peter Zink, “Laser Communicarion,” Pinecrest-Thousand Oaks

Environmental Sciences

1. Tommy Galtress, “Which Insulating Material Has the Most Effect on Temperature?”, Las Colinas

2. Danielle Yanuck, “Man-Made Destroyers of Life,” Chaparral Middle

3. Lisa Morstyn, “Birds and Oil Don’t Mix!”, Pinecrest-Thousand Oaks

Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics,

Thermophysics

1. Josh Sturm, “The Science of Flight--A Study of Lift,” Ocean View Junior High

2. Eric Lumsden, “Lubrication,” Pinecrest-Thousand Oaks

3. Dylan Gunning, “Keeping Warm: Heat Loss of Different Materials,” Pinecrest-Thousand Oaks

Mathematics and Software

1. Tyler Mock, “Estimating the Area Under a Curve,” Mesa Verde Middle

2. Shayna Whorf, “Musical Bumble Balls,” Mesa Verde Middle

Microbiology

1. Brian Graham, “Is Bacteria Hiding in Your Kitchen,” Chaparral Middle

2. Kyle Denes, “Can Bacteria Be Found in Raw Chicken and Turkey?”, Mesa Union

3. Victoria Dekovich, “Kitchen Microbiology: Which Spices and Herbs Control Bacterial Growth,” Chaparral Middle

Pharmacology, Toxicolgy

1. Sarah Harburg, “Effects of Vinegar on Sheep Reproduction,” Chaparral Middle

2. Paris Eaton, “Local Environmental Cleanup: Successful or NOT,” Marina West

3. Rachelle Betancourt, “Take Care of Those Chompers,” Mesa Verde Middle

Physics and Astronomy

1. Sarah Koik, “Just Passing Through!”, Las Colinas

2. Russell Arthur, “Lubricants and Lubrication,” Las Colinas

3. Adam Abed, “What Effect Does Temperature Have on the Adhesiveness of Tape?”, Chaparral Middle

Physiology

1. Sarah Kropp, “Digesting Nutrition Facts,” Mesa Verde

2. Jessica Lessing, “Age and Reaction Time,” Pinecrest-Thousand Oaks

3. Audrey Ranieri, “Video Games, Age and Your Heart Rate,” Pinecrest-Thousand Oaks

Plant Biology

1. Barbara Bruton, “Cloning Daucus Carota,” Ocean View Junior High

2. Chris Schlyer, “How Does Light Color Affect Plant Growth,” Colina Middle

3. David Iwamoto, “Weeds-B-Gone,” Rose Avenue

Social Sciences

1. Holly Illions, “What You See Is Not What You Get,” Mesa Verde Middle

2. Natalia Worth, “Music, Mind and Body--Is There a Connection?”, Mesa Verde Middle

3. Cassandra Evans, “Friends Forever,” Mesa Verde Middle

Zoology

1. Lisa Mancini, “Wings and Colored Things,” Las Colinas

2. Samantha Garfinkel, “Now You See It, Now You Don’t,” Pinecrest-Thousand Oaks

3. Rachel Olsthoorn, “Which Animals Can Best Go Through a Maze and Out the Exit?”, Santa Clara Elementary

Team Projects

1. Arya Amini and Kenny Glass, “Is a 75-Watt Lightbulb Truly 75 Watts?”, Colina Middle

2. Nancy De La Torre and Emily Barodte, “Pollution,” St. Paschal Baylon

3. Andrew Blackmon and Evan Nelson, no title, Chaparral Middle

--Compiled by Leo Smith and Rod Bosch