By Makanalani Yamanoha
[email protected]
On Feb. 17, three out of six veteran winners of the Central Oahu District Science and Engineering Fair were automatically advanced to the International Science and Engineering Fair, having Senior Abraham Kwan from Moanalua High School winning first in the overall with Junior Viola Mocz placing in second and Senior Marc Siler and Senior Danielle Teukina placing in third.
“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that I won,” said Kwan continuing, “I really did not expect to get first.”
The qualifying projects were separated into four categories: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and Physics. Kwan won gold in Environmental for his project on the “Effects of Different Growing Media in Aquaponics”. Following, Mocz received gold in Physics for her project “Helicotoroidal Topology of Leptons, Quarks, and Hadrons”. Siler and Teukina received gold in Biology for their “Metagenomic Analyses to Identify and Characterize Antibiotic Producing Microbes” project.
“It was shocking and surprising that I was able to win for two years in a row. And it felt really good,” said Siler, adding, “I am really grateful to have the opportunity to go back to competition because I really loved it.”
Chemistry judge Dr. Brent Rubio from Honolulu Community College was surprised by the diversity of the projects. “(There were) a lot of unique projects, from those who went into the top six. Everyone who was going to the state level had a very nice and unique project and that is what we want in a competitive state and national level.”
Being a judge in previous science fairs in different districts, Rubio saw potential in the work that was put into the projects at Mililani. “I was much more impressed by Mililani District then the other districts so far. There was much more complexity in the projects.”
As Science Fair is as annual event, MHS teachers must prepare their students for the incoming competition even if the students do not make it onto states or international. Chemistry teacher Mary Jean Fischer said, “My biggest advice (for students) is that they need to be enthusiastic about their project and knowledgeable about the whole science surrounding it.”
While students and teachers anticipating for the state science fair winners, the top three winners will present their projects on a international level for an chance to win.
