Local students compete in Mohican Science Day
Kara Jones of Central Christian School in Kidron works on her project: treating plants with mycorrhizae can reduce nutrient levels in runoff and prevent water pollution. Jones won the Dean’s Award and $100, presented by the AU dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Ashland University to the best interdisciplinary project at the recent 61st annual Mohican District Science Day.
Nearly 120 students from 15 area schools and home-schoolers competed in the recent 61st annual Mohican District Science Day.
Sponsored by the Mohican District Junior Division of the Ohio Academy of Science and hosted by Ashland University since 1960, the event was held online for the second time due to the cancellation of the face-to-face event in response to the pandemic. This year’s Science Day was administered by the Ohio Academy of Science. Students uploaded copies of their reports, photos of their project boards and short video presentations for judges to evaluate.
Those earning special honors include the following:
—Kara Jones, eighth-grader, Central Christian (Kidron): Dean’s Award, presented by the AU dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Ashland University to the best interdisciplinary project ($100). The project was treating plants with mycorrhizae can reduce nutrient levels in run-off and prevent water pollution.
—Katherine Linder, senior, Northwestern High School: Cornerstone Counseling of Ashland Award for the best project in the field of behavioral science (plaque and AU Campus Store certificate). The project was a change in behavioral activities of ADHD rat models and control models.
—Marina Aulger, sophomore, Northwestern High School, and Lillian Wakefield and Josie Wright, freshmen, Northwestern High School: Wooster Section of the American Chemical Society (awarded to projects in the area of chemistry, two $100 awards). Aulger’s project was the effects of pH levels on the concentration of lead found, and Wakefield/Wright’s project was the effect of additives on the surface tension of gelatin.
—Marina Aulger, sophomore, Northwestern High School; Briana Troyan, senior, Northwestern High School; Samantha Barnette, senior, Northwestern High School; and Steven LaGoy, sophomore, Northwestern High School: winners of Charles River Laboratories $125 cash awards for projects in the areas of biochemistry (analytical), chemistry (analytical), and medicine and health (disease diagnosis and treatment). Aulger’s project was the effects of pH levels on the concentration of lead found; Troyan’s project was cross contact of the gluten allergen; Barnette’s project was barriers, opportunities and success with virtual healthcare visits; and LaGoy’s project was computer viruses: modeling and understanding the mechanics of an epidemic.
—Kara Jones, eighth grade, Central Christian (Kidron), and Trei Durstine, eighth grade, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Wooster), Michael R. Hudson Outstanding Young Scientist Award for best projects in grade 5-8, sponsored by the Mohican District Science Council in memory of longtime director Dr. Michael Hudson (two $50 awards). Jones’ project was treating plants with mycorrhizae can reduce nutrient levels in runoff and prevent water pollution, and Durstine’s project was absorption or reflection.
—Zachery George, eighth grade, and Amaan Siddiqi, seventh grade, both of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception School in Wooster, each received a $250 Ohio Tuition Trust Authority College Advantage Scholarship. These scholarships will be funded in 529 accounts by OTTA. It will not be a direct payment to the student. Only students in grade 5, 6, 7 and 8 are eligible. George’s project was Can Burning Grass Create Electricity Using Thermoelectric Generators? Siddiqi’s project was What Is the Optimum Temperature of a Thermoelectric Generator?
—Zane Fast, senior at Northwestern High School; Alyssah Fisher, freshman at Northwestern High School; and Briana Troyan, senior at Northwestern High School, all received Outstanding Student Awards (certificate and $60 cash) for grade 9-12. Fast’s project was the effects technology has on the posture of different generations. Fisher’s project was how orientation affects the level of disinfectant in contaminated water. Troyan’s project was cross contact of the gluten allergen.