Annual diocesan science fair continues to grow

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — With 268 projects from students in grades 6-12, the 2016 Diocese of Salt Lake City Science Fair was the largest in the event’s 20-year history.

“We’re showing growth every year,” said Vicki Simpson, co-coordinator of the event, adding that more Utah Catholic school students also will be going on to compete with their public-school peers at the 2016 Salt Lake Valley Science & Engineering Fair, which “gave us more spots because our projects are really outstanding.” 

At last year’s SLVSCF, two Catholic school students were semi-finalists; Juan Diego Catholic High School senior Alexander George-Kennedy took the top prize.

Experiments at this year’s diocesan science fair spanned the spectrum of disciplines, from biochemistry to zoology. Many of the students had competed in previous years; for example, J.E. Cosgriff 8th –grader Erica Strand compared the efficacy of a flame-retardant chemical on different fabrics last year, but this time decided “I really wanted something I could apply to the real world. Last year my project was applicable but it wasn’t really useful,” she said.

This year Strand compared four water filters: one was commercially available, one mimicked the earth’s natural filtration and the other two of which were made of biological materials used for water filtration in Third World countries. 

“I wanted something that right now could be used in the real world, that people could actually use,” said Strand, who placed second in the 8th-grade Earth & Environmental Science category. “All of these different countries and continents and even states or even small cities are having water issues, and the water they have can be slightly dirty, slightly unhealthy, or it can be to the point where the water itself is just thick – it’s just sludge, basically – and I wanted to find a way to fix that, or at least try and test a way to fix it that’s affordable and efficient and works well without having to pay for $50 Brita or something.” 

Despite her interest in science, “I want to be a history teacher or an author,” Strand said.

Also competing was Juan Diego CHS senior Cedar Hoover, who used as the basis for his project the cancer research he conducted this summer as an intern at the University of Utah through JDCHS’ Academy of Science.

“My mom has cancer, so I’ve been interested in cancer research,” said Hoover, who is considering becoming a physician, “but I really like research, so that might be what I go in to.”

Young Scientist of the Year:

Jack Shuckra, J.E. Cosgriff

Best Use of Mathematics: Isabella DiNardo, J.E. Cosgriff

Best Working Model: James Baird, St. Joseph

Best Oral Presentation: Sam VanDongen, St. Olaf

Most Unique Visual Display: Natalie Diller, Blessed Sacrament

Frances Lavoie Culture of Life: Jackson Tillett, St. Olaf

Astronomy: Pauline Simonsen, J.E. Cosgriff 

Overall Biology & Biochemistry: Marley Rosella, J.E. Cosgriff 

Overall Plant Science: Matylda Blaszczak, J.E. Cosgriff

Overall Engineering: Jack Shuckra, J.E. Cosgriff

Overall Earth & Environmental Science: Victoria Smithson, St. Vincent de Paul

Overall Medical/Behavioral Science: Isabella DiNardo, J.E. Cosgriff 

Overall Energy, Chemical & Physical Science: Aspen Russell, Blessed Sacrament 

Overall Physics, Astronomy, & Math: Pauline Simonson, J.E. Cosgriff 

Overall Chemistry: Cole Novara, St. John the Baptist

Overall Medicine and Health Science: Hailey Warden, J.E. Cosgriff

Overall 6th Grade: Charles Topoleski, Blessed Sacrament

Overall 7th Grade: Matylda Blaszczak, J.E. Cosgriff

Overall 8th Grade: Jack Shuckra, J.E. Cosgriff

6th Grade Honorable Mention: Lauren Lindula, St. Francis Xavier

7th Grade Honorable Mention: Samuel Conner, J.E. Cosgriff

8th Grade Honorable Mention: Isabella DiNardo, J.E. Cosgriff