Ricky Rodrick, a junior at Kapaa High School, received a first-place award in the crop sciences category of the 53rd Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, in Louisville, Ky. recently. A $1,000 award came with the honor, with the prize
Ricky Rodrick, a junior at Kapaa High School, received a first-place award in the crop sciences category of the 53rd Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, in Louisville, Ky. recently.
A $1,000 award came with the honor, with the prize money sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy, for Rodrick’s research, “Analysis of a Possible Aphid Toxin in Zuuiki Taro (Colocasia gigantea), Year 2: Toxin Isolation and Trait Transference via Inter-Specific Hybridization.”
In English, for the past two years Rodrick has been working alongside researchers at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources to study the ability of zuuiki taro to resist aphid infestation.
He continued his studies with hybridization attempts to transfer this trait into more commercially viable taro, particularly lu’au-leaf varieties.
Four other Kapa’a students also competed on the Mainland, including Paula Carvalho, grade 10, whose project is “Comparing Various Treatments for the Control of Algae Proliferation in New Zealand Sphagnum Moss;” and the team of Jeremy Albano, grade 10, Carrie Esaki, grade nine, and Sam Moats-Messing, grade 10, whose project is “Monotypic Habitats as an Indicator of Allelopathic Behavior in Various Invasive Plant Species.”
The awards ceremony where the honors were handed out was the culmination of a week of activities involving over 1,200 students from all 50 states and 39 foreign countries.
Students were subjected to a rigorous schedule of judging and interviews by science professionals, educators, and several Nobel laureates.
The International Science and Engineering Fair is sponsored by Intel, and has been administered by Science Service since its inception in 1950.
Science Service is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of science through publications and educational programs.
