chstarmac News

Everything Under the Sun: Chaminade Holds 46th Annual Science Fair

Walter Szech ’18 presents his award-winning project, “Rise of the Superbug” to Mr. Salvatore Trentacoste.

FBy Michael Tsui ’18

From testing the salinity levels of Long Island’s waters to determining the effects of iron on the reproduction of Chlorella vulgaris, creative projects overwhelmed Chaminade’s forty-sixth annual science fair. On Thursday, January 4, fifteen faculty judges spent the afternoon examining the projects, interviewing participants, and selecting winners.  

Joseph Moses ’19, winner of the Earth Science division of the science fair, explains the specifics of his project to Mr. Dennis Flood ’89.
Joseph Moses ’19, winner of the Earth Science division of the science fair, explains the specifics of his project to Mr. Dennis Flood ’89.

Each year, select Chaminade students from each division present their projects to faculty judges, fellow students, and family members.  This year’s fair featured about eighty projects, more than half from the freshman class.  The projects covered a broad range of subjects, including gravity, wind power, cloning, and even the best treatments for zits.  

Following the judging period, Brother Benjamin Knapp, S.M. ’93, opened the ceremony with a quote from Albert Einstein, saying, “People love chopping wood. In this activity, one immediately sees results.”  He then explained that some of the best science fair projects are the ones which results are not seen right away; instead, extended time and dedication achieve the best results.  After his introduction, Brother Ben moved to the middle of the stage to hand out the awards to each student whose name was announced.

Kenneth Bradley ’18 shakes hands with Mr. Andrew Corcoran ’01 after the judging of the project, “Effects of Iron on the Reproduction of Chlorella Vulgaris”.
Kenneth Bradley ’18 shakes hands with Mr. Andrew Corcoran ’01 after the judging of the project, “Effects of Iron on the Reproduction of Chlorella Vulgaris”.

Josef Moses ’19 earned top honors in his year for his earth science project, “Salt in the Water around Long Island.”  In the biology category, Kenneth Bradley ’18’s “Effects of Iron on the Reproduction of Chlorella Vulgaris” took the top sophomore award.  

When asked about his project, Kenneth responded, “I enjoyed the project and I learned about and discovered many new things that I wouldn’t have come across in my everyday life.”   

The best junior submission by Michael Carolan ’17 was “Diamond in the Rough Estimate: Experimentally Testing the Refractive Index of Cubic Zirconia.”  The final award of the evening was given to Walter Sczech ’18 for his “best of show” project “Rise of the Superbug.”

(l-r.) Joseph Moses ’19, Kenneth Bradley ’18, Michael Carolan ’17, and Walter Szech ’18, show off their trophies after receiving highest honors in their respective categories.
(l-r.) Joseph Moses ’19, Kenneth Bradley ’18, Michael Carolan ’17, and Walter Szech ’18, show off their trophies after receiving highest honors in their respective categories.

Many students, parents, and grandparents witnessed the creativity and talent evident at this year’s fair, as the participants demonstrated knowledge of their topic and the application of the scientific method.

Congratulations to all the participants!