LIHU‘E — The quality of the winning science projects demonstrated not only the top-notch research by the students, but its relevance to community issues. The Kaua‘i District Regional Science Fair announced its winners Thursday for both the junior and senior
LIHU‘E — The quality of the winning science projects demonstrated not only the top-notch research by the students, but its relevance to community issues. The Kaua‘i District Regional Science Fair announced its winners Thursday for both the junior and senior divisions.
“It is clear from the projects, you are curious,” said Nancy Budd, a Kaua‘i representative to the Board of Education. “You demonstrate creative, out of the box thinking, which is key to becoming a scientist. Scientists live on the boundary of the known and unknown.”
William Arakaki, the Kaua‘i Complex Area superintendent, said all of the people are winners.
“All of the students here tonight are winners,” Arakaki said. “Along with them are the parents and guardians, and even their brothers and sisters, who get help from the teachers and community mentors.”
Arakaki said the projects came from five participating schools: St. Catherine’s School, Waimea Canyon Middle School, Kapa‘a High School, Kaua‘i High School and Waimea High School. The projects reflected critical thinking in the areas of the environment, agriculture, alternative energy and more. These are the future leaders and future scientists.
Cindy Goldstein, DuPont Pioneer’s Industry relations manager, said the scope of the projects showed the people a glimpse of the future.
“Sen. Daniel Inouye always thought of Kaua‘i as a special place, mentioning his grandparents and how he liked to come here,” Goldstein said. “Tonight, he would be beaming. Sen. Inouye was always engaged in science and technology, especially on Kaua‘i, and did much to inspire the young students on a future in science and technology. He would be proud and beaming to see all of these projects and the encouragement provided by the teachers.”
The Kaua‘i Regional Science Fair opened Tuesday with student displays of their projects and judges’ interviews. One question was “How does your project impact the community?” The public was invited to view the exhibits Wednesday and Thursday. A Celebration of Science featuring robotics programs and other hands-on exciting projects set the stage for the announcements.
For St. Catherine’s School student Aurelie D’Couto, Thursday was a red letter day, said Celina Haugh, the school’s principal.
“Earlier in the day, we were informed Aurelie is the third place winner in the state’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Patriot Pen contest,” Haigh said.
“She’ll be getting that award during the Night at the Museum event (at the Veterans Center) Friday. And now, to earn third place honors in the Junior Division with her project Catapult Launching Distances, this is truly a red letter day for her.”
Jacky Lin, a student at Waimea Canyon School, topped the junior division with Hydropower Effectiveness, a topic briefly mentioned during the KIUC board of directors candidates forum Monday night.
Second place honors went to Braden Kobayashi, another Waimea Canyon student for his Hydroponics vs. Aquaponics projects. Aquaponics edged out hydroponics because, according to Kobayashi, as long as you feed the fish, the aquaponics keeps going.
Which burns the hottest — buffalo grass, albesia or eucalyptus? That question was answered by William Thomas Gonzalez, a student at St. Catherine’s, for his Let It Burn: Which Wood Burns the Hottest project.
Bioindicators of Aquatic Ecosystems earned Bree Ann Cayaban, a Waimea Canyon student, fifth place honors, and Wave Energy by Samantha Bostick, another Waimea Canyon student, received honorable mention accolades.
In the senior division, there were two honorable mentions presented, Melia Okua, a Waimea High School student, getting one for All Around the Triangle, and Mason Schwarz, a student at Kapa‘a High School, who was recognized for Biomass Power.
Casey Nakamura teamed with Taylor MGinnis, both students from Kapa‘a, to capture fifth place with The Season of Success, with Savanah Frisk, another Kapa‘a student, receiving fourth place for The Effect of Social Networking.
Jenna Stone, another Kapa‘a student, earned third place for her Blade Design Effects of Energy Efficiency. Solar Tsunami II: A Study of Ultraviolet Waves by Cayla Ishida of Waimea High School stopped a lot of people during the Celebration of Science event, which preceded the announcements.
HHO Energy by Julia Hirano, a Waimea student, topped the senior division.
In addition to trophies, ribbons, medals and certificates, winners also received monetary awards of $75 for first place, $50 for second place, $40 for third place, $30 for fourth place, $20 for fifth place and $10 for honorable mention.
All of the named winners will be advancing to the state science fair held on O‘ahu on April 7 through 9. Additionally, the first and second place winners will have an opportunity to participate in an international event in Arizona.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
