LIHU‘E — Eleven projects from Kaua‘i schools will advance to the state’s science fair April 2 to April 4 on O‘ahu. Winners of the Kaua‘i District Regional Science Fair were announced Friday night at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall,
LIHU‘E — Eleven projects from Kaua‘i schools will advance to the state’s science fair April 2 to April 4 on O‘ahu.
Winners of the Kaua‘i District Regional Science Fair were announced Friday night at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, where the displays had been exhibited since Wednesday. The public was invited to view the exhibits Thursday and Friday.
“This is an event to showcase student achievement,” Kaua‘i Area Complex Superintendent William Arakaki said. “It’s an opportunity for students to challenge themselves to learn and see what they are capable of achieving.”
The public Friday was treated to a new robotics demonstration by members of the Kaua‘ibots team made up of students from the island’s three public high schools and Island Schools.
“The Kaua’ibots build teamwork and getting together and working together because the students come from different schools. We’re building engineers,” Kaua‘ibots teacher advisor Jim Cox said.
Christina Maile Pico of Kapa‘a High School, Wendi Tokuuke of Waimea High School and Kieren Caberto of Kaua‘i High School hosted the evening.
“This event helps students move on to other opportunities,” Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said at the awards celebration Friday night. “This is a chance for students to share their minds and go make a difference.”
“Hydrogen Energy: A Study in Hydrogen Production Through Salt Water Electrolysis” earned Julia Hirano, a student at Waimea Canyon Middle School, top honors in the junior division.
Mallorie Aiwohi, the only student from Kapa‘a Middle School, captured second place for her “Hear Less, Save More” project.
The third place through honorable mention wins all hailed from Waimea Canyon Middle School. The team of Emily Carlson and Cheyenne Natividatd-Parraga won third place, the team of BreeAnn Cayaban and Sharay Rapozo won fourth place. Jacky Lin’s fertilizer and eggplants exhibit captured fifth place and Braden Kobayashi won honorable mention.
In the High School division, Kapa‘a High School emerged on top with three winners, including the first place honor, with Kaua‘i and Waimea high schools getting one place each.
Savannah Frisk topped the senior division with her “Who Do You Listen to?” exhibit, followed by Kayla Ishida of Waimea High School in second place with her “Solar Tsunami” exhibit.
Noelani Murray won third place for Kaua‘i High School with her project, “The Effects of Various Nitrogen Sources on the Growth and Lipid Production of Clorella sp.” Murray’s exhibit focused on the use of algae in the production of biofuels.
The team of Taylor McGinnis and Casey Nakamura of Kapa‘a took fourth place with “The Color of Success,” and the team of Marissa Goo and Kalani Murakami, also of Kapa‘a, rounded out the top five placements.
Lisa McDonald is the Kaua‘i District Science Fair coordinator. Sponsors for the event included Alexander and Baldwin of BASF Plant Science, the DOE-Kaua‘i Complex Area, the Hawai‘i Academy of Science, the County of Kaua‘i, the Kaua‘i Economic Development board, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Pioneer Hi-Bred and Syngenta.
