School: Mary Frank Elementary School
Grade: 5
Category: PLNT
Abstract: This project's aim was to learn which companion fruit ripens tomatoes the fastest. The hypothesis was that the tomatoes paired with bananas would ripen the fastest. Green tomatoes were placed in paper bags with either an apple, banana, or an orange. The control group contained no companion fruit. The tomatoes were observed in five day increments and compared to the standard Tomato Ripeness Scale. The results were recorded and the final results of each group were averaged. I also learned about how the chemical process by which tomatoes ripen and why some fruits make better companion fruits than others for the purpose of ripening. The hypothesis was incorrect, the tomatoes paired with apples ripened the fastest.
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School: Frankton Elementary School
Grade: 5
Category: EAEV
Abstract: Our Strawberries are getting moldy before we can eat them. Does the type of container and how you store strawberries help them last longer? For this experiment, I made four groups to experiment. Group 1: strawberries are not washed, not cut, and left on the counter. Group 2: strawberries are not washed and not cut but put in the fridge. Group 3: strawberries are washed, not cut and put in the fridge. Group 4: strawberries are washed, cut and put in the fridge. I stored strawberries in plastic bags, plastic containers and glass jars for each of these groups. My hypothesis for this experiment was the glass jar with the washed and cut up strawberries will last the longest over a period of one week. After a week of checking on the strawberries and observing to see if they had grown mold or soft spots, my results were that washing, cutting and storing strawberries in a glass jar and putting them in the fridge will keep them fresh the longest. In conclusion, I noticed group 1 got moldy within a week. Group 2 developed soft spots within a week. Group 3 became soft and lost juice. Group 4 was still firm and was starting to lose just a little color. Once my experiment was over, I disposed of all the moldy strawberries and washed all the containers.
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School: Eastern Elementary School
Grade: 5
Category: MATS
Abstract: Does the temperature of a magnet affect the strength of the magnet? Expose the magnet to trials of varying degrees of temperature from freezing to boiling. Test the strength of the magnet by measuring the weight of the paperclips the magnet picked up. Collected, analyzed and recorded data
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School: Monroe Central Elem School
Grade: 6
Category: PLNT
Abstract: Trying to find which seed Treatment and Brand is the best to use on corn seed.
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School: Hibberd Intermediate School
Grade: 6
Category: BEHA
Abstract: Many features are genetically inherited like hair color, skin color, eye color, face shape and so on. One defining feature that is used across the world to help identify people and a common measure for biosecurity is fingerprints. We know that a person can't get identical fingerprints or it is just insanely rare. What I want to figure out is whether or not fingerprints are genetically inherited and what features may pass on to the child and what factors help determine your fingerprint pattern. The way we tested this is we got multiple people who were related and had them dip their finger in forensic ink and then roll it onto a paper. We also have one fingerprint that is not related to anyone. We studied it with a magnifying glass and then put the patterns down and looked for similarities. My hypothesis was that fingerprints were genetically inherited. And this proved my hypothesis right as any parents with more than one child had a fingerprint match on at least one of their kids and the parents with one seem to have a combined fingerprint with their child instead of either one.
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School: Frankton Elementary School
Grade: 6
Category: ANIM
Abstract: The purpose of this experiment is to help people know the best and most effective bedding to get for their animals. Bedding is like a mattress for animals and keeps them clean, dry and healthy. My hypothesis is that shavings will be the most absorbent because a lot of people use shavings more often than the other types of bedding. I selected 5 different kinds of animal bedding: paper, corncob, cedar, sawdust, and straw. I put the bedding in 5 different tubs and weighed them to be equal amounts of each bedding. Next, I poured 64oz. of water in the buckets and waited 45 minutes to allow the bedding to absorb the water. Next, I checked each type of bedding and drained the water and measured the leftover water in ounces. Last, I weighed the remaining bedding to see which was the most absorbent. My results showed the paper bedding was the most absorbent followed by the corncob bedding, cedar bedding, shavings, and then straw. In conclusion, I found that the paper was the most absorbent and my hypothesis was incorrect. Although, the paper bedding was the most effective, it was also the most expensive bedding to use per ounce.
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School: Hibberd Intermediate School
Grade: 6
Category: MCRO
Abstract: This science project tests the effectiveness of three different cleaning agents—soap and water, Lysol wipes, and Clorox wipes—in eliminating bacteria from common surfaces. By swabbing surfaces, cleaning with the agents, culturing bacteria, and analyzing the bacterial growth in petri dishes, the project seeks to determine which cleaning method is the most effective. The hypothesis was that soap and water would work better at eliminating bacteria. While soap and water did prevent bacterial growth in the short term, Lysol and Clorox wipes were more effective at reducing bacterial colonies over a longer period. This project emphasizes the importance of using proper antibacterial products for cleaning, especially in high-traffic areas where soap and water may not always be available. The findings have practical implications for public health, environmental impact, and cost efficiency by highlighting the most effective and sustainable cleaning practices.
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School: Kankakee Valley Middle School
Grade: 6
Category: PLNT
Abstract: The question I am trying to answer for my project is: Is it profitable to use a strip-till bar? I came up with the idea of doing this experiment because fertilizer prices have gone up recently and maybe our family farm is spending money that we don't need to. An advantage of the strip-till bar is soil conservation. The strip-till bar only works a third of the field so that helps soil moisture and helps the topsoil from erosion. My family farm uses the strip-till bar on our crops, and I was wondering if we were really getting our money out of it. The strip-till bar is a piece of equipment that is connected at the end of a tractor and gets pulled through the field while it tills and fertilizes at the same time. The corn planter plants rows of corn that are 76.2 cm apart. Before the corn is planted the strip-till bar does 12.7 cm of tillage on each side of where the row of corn would be and repeats the process through the whole field. The first step to answer this question is to organize the experiment. The second step of this experiment is to go to the field and perform steps three through five through the whole field. Then you grow and monitor the corn as it grows. When the corn is done growing you harvest it and weigh each trial separately. Lastly, you collect your data, analyze your results, and make your conclusion.
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School: Schmucker Middle School
Grade: 6
Category: EAEV
Abstract: Soil respiration is the process by which carbon dioxide is released from the soil by living organisms. With a warming climate, extreme weather conditions (flooding, drought) are increasingly common. My goal was to understand how varying amounts of moisture impact soil respiration and pH. My hypotheses were (1) soil respiration will be highest when soil samples are wet but not saturated, (2) saturated samples will have the lowest soil respiration and (3) soil pH will decrease as moisture increases. To test my hypothesis, varying amounts of water - 0 (control), 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 mL - were added to bottles containing 182g of soil (3 samples per condition). Soil respiration was measured by studying changes in CO2 emissions over 300 second windows (readings every 2s) and pH was measured with a soil probe. Samples were tested on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Soil respiration increased from 0-16 mL but dropped off sharply for 32 and 64 mL. This indicates that moisture has a positive impact on respiration until water limits oxygen and microbes switch to anaerobic respiration which produce less CO2 . Moisture has a negative relationship with soil pH; waterlogged soil (32 mL and 64 mL samples) had a steep decline in pH from anaerobic activity producing lactic acid. Declines in soil respiration and pH for the saturated/oxygen limited 32 and 64 mL samples lasted several days. Results suggest that extreme rainfall due to climate change can disruption soil microbial activity negatively impacting soil respiration and pH which ultimately can reduce the soil's ability to support plant life.
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School: Kankakee Valley Middle School
Grade: 6
Category: EBED
Abstract: My project is about learning how to make a working traffic light and how electricity travels through a circuit. It works by connecting the positive side of the lights to the positive side of the battery, and the negative side of the battery is connected to the switch. This keeps the current rolling through the lights, switch, and battery. The battery is hooked up to the switch so that the switch is powered. The lights are connected to the battery so they will work and glow. The lights are also connected to the switch, because the switch is attached to the battery as well. I created a circuit by making a wooden box with a rectangle shape sticking upwards on the side. The bottom wood piece is longer so that i can put my battery and switch there. I then made a hole in the box on the opposite side of the rectangle. The hole is so that you can put a small metal pole through it so that it can crank. Once you crank the handle the can will spin and this will help the lights change colors at the end. Next I made three more holes on the tall rectangle to be able to place the lights. I glued down the battery on the bottom piece of wood that is sticking out, and drilled in the switch next to it. Then I put four holes on the side of the wooden box that was facing me, and put four wires through it. I made sure that the inside part of the wire is touching the can by cutting the outside coating of the wire about two inches down. I took the other side of the wires and connected each one to the negative side of the light. The fourth wire was connected to the switch. This is the ground that connects the battery to the can and has the electricity travel through it. Finally you put tape in the right spots on the can to create a timer. This will help change the color of the lamps because the wire that is connected to the light will glow if it's touching the can. If the wire is touching the tape it will not glow because it is blocking the electricity. If they are placed in the right spots, it will make the lights glow from red to yellow to green one at a time. That is how you create your working stop light.
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School: Honey Creek Middle School
Grade: 7
Category: CHEM
Abstract: My goal was to find out whether ACT or toothpaste helps protect your teeth from acidic drinks. Eggs mimic human teeth as they both contain minerals. In this experiment, I wanted to see what Coca-Cola and distilled water would do to the eggs over time if the eggs were, and were not, protected by fluoride. This experiment helps you understand the effects of drinking acidic drinks.
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School: Honey Creek Middle School
Grade: 7
Category: EAEV
Abstract: Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerging photovoltaic devices that harness the energy emitted by the sun to generate electricity through a photo-electrochemical process. Unlike typical silicon-based solar cells, DSSCs with their unique light absorbing properties and semiconductor technologies allow them to be low-cost, have readily available materials, and can be easily manufactured and mass produced. In this project I conducted a year 2 study of my last year’s project that covered the basics of DSSCs. In this project I focused on the longevity of DSSCs. Instead of testing the solar cells at once and collecting the data at that moment, I conducted a life-cycle assessment (LCA) to further assess how stable and efficient DSSCs can remain for long periods of time. In my project I tested 4 different naturally extracted dyes which were blackberries (anthocyanins), beetroot (betalains), spinach (chlorophyll), and curcumin (turmeric) and a control. I tested these 4 specific natural dyes because each one of these dyes have different type of light absorbing pigments and I had wanted to see whether or not this affects the efficiency of solar cells as opposed to last year where I had only tested berries (anthocyanins). There is a lot of potential in the DSSC field where research is being conducted to further make DSSCs more efficient and eventually make organic solar cells extremely efficient. If I were to take this project further I would test the pH of the cells alongside with testing different electrolyte solutions to see if those would have an affect on DSSC performance.
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School: NE Region Home Schools
Grade: 7
Category: EAEV
Abstract: This student has not yet submitted an abstract.
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School: Carroll Middle School
Grade: 7
Category: PLNT
Abstract: The purpose of my project is to determine which method of growing, in soil or hydroponically, provides the best environment for a plant to grow vigorously. To compare, I grew basil in six containers with soil and six hydroponically. Out of the six for each method, three had non-nutrient water and three had nutrient-rich water. Through research I learned how successful growing hydroponically can be and thought this method would be the best. However, my experiment showed that the soil grown basil with the non-nutrient water grew more vigorously than any other plant tested; 5.9 cm tall, root length of 5.7 cm, 8 leaves, and a leaf length of 2.6 cm! This proves how forgiving soil can be and how challenging it is to successfully grow plants hydroponically! Finally, we must find a way to take better care of our soil now so that future generations can continue to grow plants easily because 95% of our world’s food is grown in soil. There is a way to make new healthy soil to reduce soil degradation by 86% – composting! I would design a new trash bin to allow people to place their carbon (brown materials) in the top section of a collection bin and their nitrogen (green materials) in the bottom of the collection bin so everyone would be able to easily participate in composting each week. Each week, a compost collector can empty their bin and take it to their local composting facility instead of adding it to a landfill!
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School: Heritage Hall Inc
Grade: 7
Category: BCHM
Abstract: The purpose of this project was to help people know how to cook healthier. The question was: Which method of cooking broccoli keeps the most vitamin C in it? The hypothesis was: I believe that steaming the broccoli will keep more vitamin C than boiling or microwaving it because steaming cooks it without submerging it in water and it is more gentle than using a powerful microwave. Farm fresh broccoli was gathered and cooked. After each method of cooking (steaming, boiling and microwaving), the broccoli samples were blended with water. The vitamin C extraction liquid was placed in a burette and titrated into 10 mL of dilute iodine solution until the iodine solution was neutralized. The results obtained confirmed the hypothesis. The vitamin C extraction from steamed broccoli contained the most vitamin C using an average of 18 mL to neutralize the iodine solution. The second highest concentration was the extraction from microwaved broccoli using an average of 20.9 mL. The lowest vitamin C concentration was the extraction from boiled broccoli using an average of 32 mL. Interestingly, the raw broccoli control required 23.1 mL of vitamin C extraction which was more than both the steamed and microwaved broccoli. Most likely, this was because mechanically grinding the broccoli alone did not release the vitamin C as effectively as cooking.
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School: Honey Creek Middle School
Grade: 7
Category: BEHA
Abstract: Herd mentality is the way of thinking that causes people to believe the beliefs of the majority rather than their own beliefs. To see whether or not this way of thinking influences our daily lives, I will be replicating the Solomon Asch experiment, where I will gather a group of 30 male participants and have them do a line perception test. The line perception test has three lines that are each labeled A, B, and C. There is also another line on the test sheet that is not labeled and is the same length as one of the labeled lines. The participants will be asked to tell which labeled line is the same length as the unlabeled line. Participants will first do a line perception test by themselves, and then they will do the test with the group of people who are going to play the majority. The majority/group will answer some of the questions wrong and some of the questions correctly, and I will see what the participant does to then record it. Based on my results and experiment, I learned a lot about herd mentality as a social norm that is in our daily lives, and I understood more about why people have a herd mentality.
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School: Sarah Scott Middle School
Grade: 7
Category: BMED
Abstract: This student has not yet submitted an abstract.
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School: Indian Springs Middle School
Grade: 7
Category: EAEV
Abstract: Sunscreen pollution is an emerging environmental issue affecting aquatic ecosystems worldwide, with concerns ranging from coral reef bleaching to freshwater contamination. This study investigates the local impacts of two sunscreens—Blue Lizard (marketed as eco-friendly) and Coppertone (a conventional brand)—on Bowman Lake, a freshwater body in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Five tanks were used to replicate real-world conditions, including a control tank with pure lake water and tanks treated with weekly additions of sunscreen. Water quality metrics (pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity) were measured using a Hydrolab Quanta, while visual observations (aquatic life, water clarity, and residue formation) were documented. Results revealed that Blue Lizard, despite its "reef-safe" label, showed potential toxicity as it developed bleached water and an absence of aquatic microorganisms. On the other hand, Coppertone led to significant cloudiness and chemical residue, with measurable declines in water quality. The findings challenge the reliability of eco-friendly claims and highlight the need for stricter sunscreen ingredient regulations to protect aquatic ecosystems. This study bridges local freshwater concerns with global environmental challenges, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and policy change.
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School: Canterbury School (PK-08)
Grade: 7
Category: BMED
Abstract: Have you ever had a headache and wanted relief fast? Did you ever wonder which type of pill would kick in fastest, Tylenol or a generic brand? This experiment will test which brand of acetaminophen dissolves fastest in the stomach. Acetaminophen is a medicine that is used for fever and pain, both mild and major. The way it works in the body is that it blocks pain signals within the brain and spinal cord. The approximate pH of the stomach is 1-3. Lemon juice has a pH of approximately 2.0, and closely resembles the acidity found in the stomach, so this experiment will use it to replicate the stomach acid. In this experiment the generic acetaminophen brands are Kroger, Meijer, and Walgreens. After research the following hypothesis was made. If a generic acetaminophen pill and a Tylenol pill are each put in a cup of acidic solution (replicating the stomach), then the Tylenol pill will dissolve faster than the generic pill. To perform this experiment, 100% lemon juice was used to simulate stomach acid pH. A single pill from four different acetaminophen brands was placed into 60mL of lemon juice. The time to dissolve was recorded and the experiment was repeated three times. The simple average time to dissolve was calculated and compared from each of the three trials. Some key trends were that the Meijer and Walgreens both were not completely dissolved after 45 minutes. The Kroger acetaminophen pills dissolve the fastest at an average of 6.42 minutes, while the Tylenol completely dissolved after an average of 17.5 minutes. After conducting this experiment, the hypothesis was proven false. Tylenol did not dissolve fastest, but it did dissolve second fastest. In this experiment, the Tylenol dissolved remarkably after the Kroger acetaminophen. This experiment suggests that the Kroger brand acetaminophen will take effect significantly faster than all of the other brands including Tylenol, and at a more consistent rate. This information shows that the Kroger acetaminophen will work faster in your stomach, thus providing relief sooner. Furthermore, it should be noted that Meijer brand and Walgreens brand acetaminophen will be at least 30 minutes behind Kroger brand and Tylenol in reducing pain.
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School: Saint Mary School
Grade: 7
Category: PHYS
Abstract: This project investigates the effect of the number of parachutes on the terminal velocity of a falling model crew capsule. The study aims to understand how varying the number of parachutes influences air resistance and the rate of descent. The independent variable is the number of parachutes attached to the capsule, while the dependent variable is the terminal velocity, measured in meters per second during free fall. The experiment involves releasing the model capsule from a consistent height under controlled conditions, with varying numbers of parachutes (e.g., 1, 2, or 3). Velocity is calculated using a stopwatch and the measured time of descent. It is hypothesized that increasing the number of parachutes will reduce the terminal velocity due to the greater surface area generating higher air resistance. This study aims to provide insights into the principles of aerodynamics and their applications in spacecraft safety and recovery systems.
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School: Saint Charles Borromeo School
Grade: 7
Category: PHYS
Abstract: The purpose of my project was to determine how the amount of air pressure affects the speed of a car and whether a lower or higher air pressure would change the speed of a car. My hypothesis was that a lower air pressure would make a car go slower. I tested my hypothesis by putting a propeller powered car in a vacuum chamber and timed how long it took for it to reach the end of the vacuum chamber with lower or higher air pressures. The most important variable in my experiment was the air pressure. This made the car go either faster or slower, depending on whether you used a lower or higher air pressure. After checking the results, I found that a lower air pressure makes a car go slower. My hypothesis was correct because when the air pressure was at 0, the highest air pressure, the car went faster, and when the air pressure was at -27, the lowest air pressure, the car went slower. This explains why my hypothesis was correct and a lower air pressure does make a propeller powered car go slower.
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School: Schmucker Middle School
Grade: 8
Category: EAEV
Abstract: Residents rake leaves to the street for collection but many days may pass before pickup, exposing the piles to precipitation. Wet leaves release nutrients and microbes into water. This project evaluated how the amount of time leaves are saturated impacts dissolved organic matter (DOM), pH, and phosphate levels in water (Phase 1) and if leaf leachate impacts algae growth (Phase 2). Hypothesis: (1) DOM, pH, and phosphorus will increase as saturation time increases and (2) there will be a positive relationship between leaf leachate amounts and algae growth. Phase 1: equal weights of dried oak leaves were placed in 21 containers (3/day). To simulate rainfall, 295 mL of distilled water was added to each sample. Leachate samples were extracted each day (for 7 days) and tested with a spectrophotometer to measure DOM; pH and phosphorus levels were also tested. Phase 2: varying amounts of generated leachate (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 mL) was added to equal parts of algae culture (5 mL) and nutrient media (15 mL). Distilled water was added to create uniform sample volumes (3 samples/test condition). Algae growth was measured with a spectrophotometer every 12 hours for 4 days, and also on days 12 and 25. DOM, pH, and phosphorus measurements were all positively correlated with saturation time. Within the first 4 days, greater leachate amounts did not result in more algae growth. However, by day 25, higher leachate amounts did drive algae growth. Results suggest leachate introduces bacteria that initially competes with algae for nutrients and inhibits growth, but over time these heterotrophic microbes respire nitrogen and phosphorus which promotes algae growth. The longer leaves are piled in the street for collection, the greater the risk to local waterways of excess nutrient/DOM runoff, introduction of heterotrophic microbes, and algae growth. Communication between leaf programs and residents to reduce leaf pile duration is vital to minimize leaching.
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School: Saint Pius X School
Grade: 8
Category: ETSD
Abstract: This student has not yet submitted an abstract.
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School: Kankakee Valley Middle School
Grade: 8
Category: CHEM
Abstract: This student has not yet submitted an abstract.
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School: St Thomas The Apostle School
Grade: 8
Category: MATS
Abstract: My Project is about buoyancy and the Ideal Gas Law along with other math. I made 3D printed cubes with different infills, changing the density. I 3D printed my Datzman Density Dice as I like to call them. I did tests in the kitchen to confirm my theory about some of the cubes. I thought some would sink and some would float and I was right. I made the cubes so the lighter the color the less dense the cube was. Since I created a cube that floats and a cube that sinks I knew there had to be a sweet spot where a cube would float at the top of a pool, be neutrally buoyant somewhere in the middle, and sink at the bottom. My project question is “Can I make a cube that floats at the top of a pool, is neutrally buoyant somewhere in the middle, and sinks at the bottom?” I arrived at the Fort Wayne dive center with their 25 ft deep pool. I kitted up and got into the water to start testing. I figured out that green and yellow did what I wanted them to. Yellow floated, became neutrally buoyant at 20 feet and then started sinking. Green became neutrally buoyant at 5 feet and then started sinking. I concluded that I did succeed in creating a cube that floats at the top of a pool, is neutrally buoyant somewhere in the middle, and sinks at the bottom. Dive students can use this.
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School: Saint Mary School
Grade: 8
Category: CHEM
Abstract: This project investigates the effect of acidity on the strength of eggshells. The goal is to understand how exposure to different levels of acidic solutions influences the structural integrity of eggshells. The independent variable is the acidity of the solution, which will be varied by using different concentrations of vinegar (a common acidic solution). The dependent variable is the strength of the eggshells, measured by the amount of weight the eggshells can support before breaking. The experiment involves immersing eggshells in solutions of varying acidity for a set period and testing the maximum weight they can withstand. It is hypothesized that higher acidity levels will weaken the eggshells, making them more likely to break under less weight due to the corrosive effect of the acid on the calcium carbonate structure of the shell. This study aims to provide insight into how acidic environments affect the durability of eggshells and could contribute to broader understanding in fields such as biology and material science.
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School: Yorktown High School
Grade: 8
Category: PHYS
Abstract: Black hole mergers are one of the most powerful events that occur in space. Mergers leave a ripple in space-time that travels as a gravitational wave, similar to the way a rock thrown into a pond creates ripples. In LIGO experiments using gravitational wave detectors, scientists were able to detect space-time ripples produced by the black hole mergers. These gravitational waves produce the famous chirping sound of black hole collisions in which the strain frequency of the LIGO detectors rises sharply in a very short span of time. The time-frequency characteristics of chirping sounds can be analyzed to infer the strength of gravitational waves and hence black hole mergers. The first black hole merger event was detected in 2015 and since then there have been more than 200 of such occurrences. I analyzed a sample of these events to understand the relationship between the black hole masses and their distances that account for the strength of chirping sounds. According to Newton’s law, gravitational energy is proportional to the masses and falls off inversely with distance. I tested this idea by analyzing the chirping sounds and how they relate to the black hole masses and their distances. The results, to a first approximation, are found to follow Newton's law of gravity reasonably well.
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School: NE Region Home Schools
Grade: 8
Category: BMED
Abstract: Carbohydrates are a key macronutrient, but their effects on blood glucose can vary depending on their source and composition. This study examined whether different carbohydrate sources, despite having the same net carbohydrate content, produce varying glucose responses. Using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), real-time glucose levels were tracked after consuming different breakfasts, including jasmine rice, reheated jasmine rice, oatmeal, Qia oatmeal, a chocolate chip cookie, and eggs (as a control). Results showed that jasmine rice caused the highest average glucose spike (41 mg/dL), while reheated jasmine rice (20.5 mg/dL) and Qia oatmeal (21.5 mg/dL) resulted in lower responses, likely due to resistant starch and fiber content. However, even these "better" carb sources still caused glucose spikes over 20 mg/dL, whereas eggs resulted in no change at all. Normalized area under the curve (AUC) rankings placed the cookie as the worst (1.00), followed by jasmine rice (0.96), oatmeal (0.78), reheated jasmine rice (0.70), and Qia oatmeal (0.60), with eggs being the best at 0.07. While food composition influences glucose response, the results suggest that the most effective strategy for maintaining stable blood sugar levels is minimizing carbohydrate intake altogether.
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School: NE Region Home Schools
Grade: 8
Category: CHEM
Abstract: This study investigates the factors influencing the speed and foam formation during the pouring of soda, focusing on soda type, container type, and the pouring operator. A full factorial design of experiments was conducted with three variables: soda type (Coca-Cola vs. Diet Coke), container type (12 oz can vs. 12 oz bottle), and operator (two different operators). Each trial was repeated three times, and the median pour time for each run was calculated to reduce the influence of outliers. The average of these medians was then computed for each variable level and student t-tests were performed. The results showed that bottles poured 3.73 seconds faster than cans, and Coca-Cola poured 2.41 seconds faster than Diet Coke. The difference between operators was minimal, with an average difference of only 0.33 seconds. Interaction effects between the variables were small, suggesting that the combined influence of soda type, container type, and operator skill had a limited effect on pour time. Overall, operator skill had less impact than expected, while soda and container type showed more significant differences.
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School: Honey Creek Middle School
Grade: 8
Category: EAEV
Abstract: Flocculation or coagulation is the process for the purification of water. Coagulation is the process of negatively charged microscopic particles in the water clumping up around positively charged flocculant particles. The flocculant is what causes this clumping up. After they have coagulated, they begin to sink and can be filtered out. The purpose of this project was to find the best pH for this process using alum, an aluminum salt, for the flocculation process, combining the effectiveness of the process with the efficiency of the alum. I was also able to interview Dr. Jenny Mueller at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, who works with this subject in an environmental lab at RHIT, which she used to show me one of the experiments she performs with her students. I changed one variable that was measured and replaced it with another. Different amounts of alum were added to 5 1-liter samples of turbid, or unclean, water at 3 different pHs, namely 6.0, 7.5, and 9.0. I measured the turbidity of the water at the beginning using a Hach Portable 2100Q Turbidimeter, something I had access to at Rose-Hulman. After they were stirred at 15 RPM for 15 minutes and allowed to rest for 20 minutes, the turbidity of the water was measured again. I checked the difference and measured that as effectiveness in terms of percentage of particles that coagulated and flocculated. My hypothesis was that the more alkaline and less acidic samples would be less efficient and effective because of what I learned during my interview with Dr. Mueller. She taught me the difference between acidity and alkalinity. Alkalinity refers to the buffering ability of particles, or their fondness to not clump up and sink, but instead remain suspended in the water. Therefore, I believed the alum would be less effective and efficient at higher pHs. My hypothesis was proved partially correct by the experiment, as it was most efficient at the high pH, but was so ineffective that it is still not feasible. This shows that it may be more feasible to use another chemical for the flocculant's base, as I learned from Dr. Mueller that every flocculant has a bell curve for usability. That is the purpose of the experiment in the first place, to decide if aluminum would be the right flocculant base for the pH that you are working with.
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School: Saint Pius X School
Grade: 8
Category: ANIM
Abstract: This student has not yet submitted an abstract.
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School: Otter Creek Middle School
Grade: 8
Category: PLNT
Abstract: In my project I conducted a series of experiments on four rows of four Zinnia plants being grown in a row with different liquids for 21 days. The different liquids used to water the plants are purified water, Light Blue Gatorade Zero, 100% Apple Juice, and 100% Lemon Juice. Every plant was watered with a different liquid, and these plants were watered every 3 days. At the end of experiment and research, I collect my data and found that the purified water made the Zinnia plants grow the most. The Light Blue Gatorade Zero made the plants grow but they grew in a darker hue and had stunted growth. And for the 100% Apple Juice and 100% Lemon Juice, they did not make the plants grow at all.
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School: Honey Creek Middle School
Grade: 8
Category: EAEV
Abstract: δ18O is a ratio of 18O to 16O. As temperature fluctuates, δ18O rises and falls inversely in the ocean and in the ice. As temperature rises, δ18O rises in ice records and falls in the oceans. I wanted to see if a reconstruction using δ18O records from ice cores shows evidence of climate change. Previous similar reconstructions have demonstrated amazing accuracy using δ18O to show long term temperature changes, but there has been less evidence that it shows short term climate change, as has been shown today. I used publicly available ice core records from NOAA's paleoclimatology websight to get my information, then compiled the data. I then standardized and normalized the data, as well as making sure that the cross-dating of the chronologies is reliable. I found that evidence of longer range climatic reign shifts, such as the little ice age and the medieval warm period, but there was less evidence modern climate change. This points to evidence that ice cores are not as adept at showing shorter range climate shifts, or that the reliability of ice core records is being lost from the melting of ice in recent times.
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School: Leo Junior/Senior High School
Grade: 9
Category: PHYS
Abstract: The purpose of the experiments was to see if changes in temperature would affect magnets, and if so, how it would. Our hypothesis was, “If the temperature of magnets is raised, then the magnet strength will be lower.” In order to test this hypothesis, we created a control magnet that we kept in and did the same initial test to and the final test to in order to make sure that our system was accurate. We used this control to tell if our experiment had unseen variables that could affect our data table. We tested three different magnets before they were affected by temperature, giving us something to base the tests on. We saw a rise in strength of the colder magnet and a lower strength in the magnet after heating. We also saw some outliers, which could have been due to weakened contact between the magnet and the plate, due to dust or debris. We ended up finding that temperature does affect magnets and it has quite a large effect. The magnet that was heated got slightly weaker, the magnet at room temperature had no changes, and the magnet that was cooled got much stronger. This is due to molecules speeding up and slowing down, which can cause a more erratic force at high speeds and a more constant force at lower speeds.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 9
Category: BEHA
Abstract: A student's cognitive functioning plays an important role in their expectation to arrive at school every day, ready to learn, think, and grow. The standard to which the brain functions regularly affects things like problem-solving, question-answering, memorization, and recall skills. This particular study aimed to determine whether the mental benefits of music extend to positively impact the degree to which the brain can execute the cognitive functions that correlate directly with those required to excel in a classroom environment. All volunteer participants underwent a thorough, online testing process where their response inhibition, attention, visuospatial working memory, and mental rotation were assessed. It was hypothesized that that if teenagers listen to music that is calming or soothing, (like classical or pop) while being tested, then they will score higher than when listening to no music as the baseline control; Listening to more chaotic/intense genres (such as rap or rock) will have negative impact on cognitive testing scores. In evaluating the collected data, my hypothesis was supported. The majority of participants scored highest on either classical music or pop music. These scores were, on average, higher than the scores of the tests involving no music, whilst tests administered while listening to more chaotic genres such as rap and rock fell almost consistently below this mark. In conclusion, my studies strongly support the claim that calming and soothing music genres would be a valuable asset to students who aim to flourish in the classroom. Their effects have been shown to engage the brain and better allow it to carry out its regular functions, which ultimately aids students in approaching their expectations with focus and confidence.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 9
Category: BMED
Abstract: This research project investigated the potential correlations between anemia and blood clotting in individuals with hemophilia, focusing on platelet increases due to anemia. Hemophilia is a dangerous genetically inherited condition in which the affected person is born missing essential clotting factors, leading to expensive treatments. My hypothesis stated that by increasing the number of platelets, represented by the addition of an extra Calcium Chloride solution, it would result in larger blood clot formation when compared to standard clots or those formed in the hemophiliac models. This conclusion is based on the idea that anemia rarely coincides with thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). Iron supplements have been found to trigger platelet increases due to an effect called thrombocytosis. The findings of that study suggest that adding more Calcium Chloride to increase platelet levels could aid clotting in hemophiliacs, where typical clotting mechanisms are impaired due to deficient clotting factors. By using Calcium Alginate spheres to simulate clot formation, this project aims to model the impact of varying platelet levels on clot development. My experiment's results correspond to my hypothesis by manner of the increased platelets to aid in the formation and production of clots in both the hemophiliac model and the control. The applications of this and future research could lead to more affordable care and options for people who suffer from hemophilia. This project did an excellent job at highlighting the interactions between anemia, platelet function, and clotting, while potentially offering insights into improving care for individuals with hemophilia like myself.
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School: Carroll High School
Grade: 9
Category: EAEV
Abstract: Wastewater runoff from textile industries – especially in regions with high amounts of both textile and agricultural production (typically east-Asian countries) – can seep into groundwater and crop irrigation systems, and/or affect nearby aquatic life. These regions often do not have funding and infrastructure in place to treat their wastewater streams. This study aimed to determine the abiotic stress of chemicals, microplastics, and heavy metals from textiles, on plant growth, to establish their environmental and agricultural impact, and potentially develop a low-cost remediation method for these residues. This was tested by using water with four different types of clothing residues, each with a different material composition, to hydroponically grow radish seeds. It was hypothesized that clothing made from organic cotton would foster the most plant growth, and clothing made from synthetic polyester would foster the least. Data was collected by measuring stem and root lengths, which were made into bar graphs for analysis. It was found that initial preservative chemicals on all the clothes, including that made from organic cotton, ended up either stunting stem and root growth, or mimicking crop fertilizers and initially stimulating it, but later leading to nutrient imbalances/toxicity. One water sample contained lots of clothing dye, carrying lead (toxic heavy metal), with it. Hence, a dye-remediation theory (using Rit aquamarine anionic dye) was tested on the clothing-leached water using a combination of probiotic and Glutathione pills, which formed a sediment, and were able to successfully absorb the dye from water, along with a few other toxins.
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School: Heritage Hall Inc
Grade: 9
Category: BCHM
Abstract: The purpose of this project was to help consumers know if the ground beef they are getting is true to its label. The question was, “Does ground beef from a butcher have less fat content than store-bought beef, specifically from Aldi and Walmart?” The hypothesis was: “I believe that butcher ground beef will have less fat than Aldi or Walmart beef because it is more expensive and they care more about quality.” A beaker of salt was heated in the microwave to even out the internal temperature. The microwave was then calibrated by heating two beakers with 20g of 85/15 ground beef each to find out how long it would take for them to lose all of their moisture. Once that information was obtained, ten 20g samples of each type of beef were microwaved for the determined amount of time. The samples were then weighed and the results were recorded in the logbook. Using the dried weight of the beef, the chemical lean and fat percentages were calculated. The results of the experiment were rather unexpected. The butcher beef had the most fat at 18.7% fat. The Walmart beef was the only one that was accurate to the label, with 13.5% fat. The Aldi beef had the least amount of fat, with only 8.6% fat. Thus, the hypothesis was denied.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 9
Category: EGSD
Abstract: If glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane's (GFRTPU) strength and strain are comparable to fiberglass epoxy resin, then GFRTPU should be considered a viable alternative material for wind turbine blades. Current wind turbine blades typically use fiberglass epoxy resin, which presents significant recycling challenges. Most blades end up in landfills or are incinerated, creating environmental concerns. This research investigated Elastollan® R3000, a recyclable GFRTPU, as a potential alternative material. Five GFRTPU samples were tested using ASTM Standard D638-22 for tensile properties. Samples were cut to specified dimensions and tested on a 60-kip Satec tensile testing machine. Tensile strength and strain were calculated and compared with published data from epoxy resin adhesives. Elastollan® R3000 demonstrated tensile strengths statistically similar to some epoxy adhesives (BBM2 and BTM2). Notably, the GFRTPU samples exhibited the lowest strain, indicating superior durability under stress. Comparative analysis with wind turbine blade specifications revealed that Elastollan® R3000 could withstand wind speeds up to 78.3 miles per hour with a significant safety factor. The research supports the hypothesis that GFRTPU, specifically Elastollan® R3000, has the potential to be used for the manufacture of wind turbine blades.
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School: Yorktown High School
Grade: 9
Category: EAEV
Abstract: The growing threat of climate change is accelerating, and its impact on freshwater sources has become a global concern. Understanding how climate change affects water quality, while also providing marginalized communities with the tools to study and respond to these changes, is essential. This helps prepare under-resourced communities who are disproportionately impacted by environmental changes to withstand climate risk. With this goal in mind, I have developed time-series forecasting models for water quality with significantly limited computing resources. I have used open-source DNN-based (Deep Neural Network) transformers that lie at the heart of LLMs (Large Language Models) such as ChatGPT. I have gathered publicly available water quality and climate data based in Riverside County, California as a test case. The models were trained and validated on variables indicative of water quality such as temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen level and displayed high precision. These models were further adjusted to predict water quality with temperature as the predictor. Forecasted temperature from CMIP (Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects) was then used to infer water quality as the temperature rises due to the climate change. This study contributes to the growing advancements of water quality forecasting and demonstrates how state of the art AI technologies can be harnessed to empower marginalized communities by helping them plan and prepare for future climate challenges.
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School: Leo Junior/Senior High School
Grade: 9
Category: BEHA
Abstract: A average person usually consumes caffeine daily. Whether that is from pop, energy drinks, or coffee, one way or another people regularly get the caffeine. Knowing this, me and my partner decided it would be interesting to see how caffeine affects someone’s reaction time. Our hypothesis is if a person consumes caffeine then their reaction time will increase because caffeine improves focus, energy, and alertness as well as makes the internal clock run faster. To begin with, we grabbed all materials required for testing: ruler, 6 test subjects, 6 oz Coke drinks,12 oz Coke drinks, and 30 centimeter ruler. Next we did the ruler drop test with 0 caffeine on test subjects 1-6. After that we recorded measurements in centimeters regarding how far up the ruler is caught. Then we took out exactly 6 oz of coke in 6 glasses giving each participant exactly 10 minutes to consume the drink. After 10 minutes we set a timer for 45 minutes. After the 45 minutes is up, we tested again recording the measurements. We waited approximately 6 hours later, then took out exactly 12 oz of coke in 3 glasses and gave each participant exactly 10 minutes to consume the drink. After 10 minutes we set a timer for 45 minutes. After the 45 minutes is up, we tested again recording the measurements. Finally, we found the averages for each person by adding up all the numbers and dividing by how many numbers there are. We then recorded the average measurements. In our results we found that test subjects 1, 2, 4, and 6 all increased their reaction times from the 0mg of caffeine. Test subject 1 went from 16 cm to 13cm to 10cm. Test subject 2 went from 18cm to 13cm to 13cm. Test subject 4 went from 28cm to 20cm to 13cm. Lastly test subject 6 went from 18cm to 13cm to 13cm. They all increased by at least 5 centimeters each. In the end, it is safe to say that caffeine does in fact increase reaction times. The subjects improved from the baseline of 0mg.
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School: West Central Region Home Schools
Grade: 9
Category: BEHA
Abstract: In contrast to traditional doctors, artificially intelligent (AI) doctors use algorithms to diagnose patients’ health conditions and medical treatment needs. To investigate how AI doctors affect patients and the efficiency and utilization of healthcare, I created a mathematical model to analyse the data. My hypothesis inquires that AI doctors help patients decide whether to go to hospitals more effectively, alleviate healthcare access inequity, and improve healthcare efficiency and patients’ well-being. My analysis suggests that the hypothesis holds only when AI doctors have pinpoint accuracy– otherwise, their impacts on patients and healthcare vary with patient types (the severity of their medical condition and the cost they face to access healthcare). Specifically, AI doctors influence the patients’ decision to go to hospitals when they have moderately severe symptoms. AI doctors alleviate healthcare inequity by giving advice to patients who may not have the means to acquire formal advice from doctors. AI doctors benefit patients with moderate access to hospitals, severe patients with low access, and mild patients with easy access to hospitals; however, AI doctors harm mild patients with low access and severe patients with easy access to hospitals.
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School: Carroll High School
Grade: 9
Category: BMED
Abstract: This student has not yet submitted an abstract.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 10
Category: MCRO
Abstract: Sourdough is a naturally fermented bread made with flour, water, and naturally occurring microorganisms such as yeast and lactic acid bacteria. The health benefits include a lower glycemic index, which is attractive for those challenged with controlling their blood sugars. In this project, I tested the impact of adding probiotic supplements to sourdough starters, specifically analyzing changes in protein, glucose, and insoluble fiber levels to determine what effects, if any, they have on nutritional properties. 1 g of three different probiotic supplements (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces boulardii) were added to three identical 200 g sourdough starters. Over the course of a week, I fermented these three starters and a control starter with no probiotic supplements. After fermentation, I added Biuret reagent (for proteins) and Benedict solution (for glucose) to homogenized samples of each starter then measured their absorbance with a spectrophotometer to calculate the specific amounts of protein and glucose. To test for insoluble fibers, I filtered, dried, and weighed the insoluble residues from each starter to calculate their percentage of the original sample. The findings of each test showed that the samples with probiotic supplements had greater levels of proteins and fiber while having lower levels of glucose compared to the control. Both the Lactobacillus strains had similar results, showing the highest protein levels and the lowest amount of glucose, while the starter with Saccharomyces boulardii had the highest fiber content. Although not dramatic, there were notable differences between the probiotic starters and the control.
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School: Culver Academies
Grade: 10
Category: ETSD
Abstract: Exploring extreme terrains such as steep cliffs, rugged stone walls, and rough volcanic surfaces presents a critical challenge for traditional wheeled robots. This project introduces a biomimetic gripper inspired by beetles, designed to address these limitations by enabling secure attachment and efficient climbing on challenging surfaces. The gripper's innovative design integrates a four-bar linkage mechanism, flexible spring elements, and a dynamic spine-inspired structure to adapt to varying surface topologies. A drive system reduces complexity while enhancing grip strength and load distribution, making it suitable for both terrestrial and extraterrestrial applications. This technology enables navigation in environments crucial for planetary exploration, disaster response, and industrial operations. The project mimics beetle claws by designing mechanical claws that replicate their climbing motion. The design involves several steps inspired by beetle behavior. First, the claws approach and align with surfaces, like a beetle positioning its claws. Then, the claws adjust to surface features for grip and stability, similar to a beetle’s claw adaptation. The claws also adjust dynamically to changes in the climbing surface, just as beetles modify their claws’ angle and pressure for balance. Finally, the claws smoothly release and reposition to continue climbing. The design includes flexible fingers and elastic parts to grip different surfaces, like beetles do. The challenge is combining all these features to allow the claws to climb effectively on various surfaces with precise grip, pressure, and movement. By mimicking nature's efficiency, the gripper demonstrates how bio-inspired robotics can push the boundaries of engineering and exploration. The project highlights the potential for developing versatile, efficient systems capable of accessing previously unreachable areas, advancing scientific discovery and practical solutions for real-world challenges.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 10
Category: BCHM
Abstract: In this muscle predisposition in high school girls soccer player experiment I inferred that certain positional groups would have specific muscle types. The objective of this experiment was to determine the muscle types of various girls soccer players from several positions and determine whether or not their is a correlation between muscle genotype and position. I tested this by gathering DNA samples from 21 candidates with multiple candidates in each group. I then ran the samples through centrifuge and vortex processes to concentrate the DNA into pellets. I then added chelex solution, heated the samples, then set up a PCR reaction for the ACTN 3 gene. I then added primer, thermal cycled, and added the restriction enzyme. Finally, after incubation I added gold stain to each sample and pipetted into the gel electrophoresis and read results. All participants were high school girls soccer players with predetermined positions and all samples underwent the same processes. Of the 21 total participants 4 were undetermined, 10 were sprinter (RR), 3 were sprinter_endurance (RX), and 4 were endurance (XX). For goal-keepers 1/2 was sprinter-endurance and 1/2 was undetermined. For defenders 4/6 were endurance and 2/6 were undetermined. For midfielders 4/6 were sprinter, 1/6 was sprinter-endurance, and 1/6 was undetermined. My prediction was supported that forwards would mostly be the sprinter genotype, but I was unsupported in inferring a midfielders would be mostly sprinter-endurance, defenders would be mostly sprinter-endurance, and goalkeepers would be mostly sprinters. A players genotype may be a factor contributing to a players positional success, but more samples and fewer undetermined results would provide more conclusive results. The data supports that there may be some relationship between position and genotype, but does not definitively determine a certain muscle type for each position. This information could provide better training methods and selection processes in soccer players, potentially optimizing player performance in accordance with their muscle predisposition.
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School: Culver Academies
Grade: 11
Category: EBED
Abstract: Soft pneumatic grippers, structures created from silicone rubber and powered by air pressure, can grasp and transfer items with remarkable stability and precision. Their light weight, flexibility, and deformability allowed them many applications—in automated labs such as Carnegie Mellon University’s Cloud Lab, cardiac assistance, drug delivery, food production assembly lines, underwater missions, extraterrestrial exploration efforts, etc. However, traditional soft grippers face serious difficulties with robustly gripping objects with a wide range of volume and weight. This study aims to improve soft grippers’ weight capacity and ability to grab large, hollow objects (such as rings) by achieving tunable stiffness and dual-mode grasping. To produce two gripping modes, a unique sandwich structure comprising two pneumatic fingers and a variable stiffness unit between was employed. To tune the stiffness, this study introduced a novel layer-jamming technique executed by pumping negative pressure into the variable stiffness unit, increasing friction between the jamming substances (slips of A4 paper) and stiffening the finger. A Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensor was installed to measure whether the stiffness was altered. Then, the process of gripping was automated through the introduction of a camera and recognition algorithms capable of computing the size and depth of the detected object. Based on the object’s size and depth, the gripper’s controlling program can determine what mode of gripping will be used, completing a fully automated gripping process. The prototype built in this study reflected a momentous improvement from traditional soft grippers. The variable stiffness unit can boost the soft gripper’s weight capacity by 35%, and the addition of two automatic gripping modes allowed soft grippers to grasp significantly larger objects robustly. All of which demonstrating the unlimited potential of this device to be used in numerous applications of sciences.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 11
Category: CELL
Abstract: Different MGMT Genotypes That Reveal the Outcome Frequencies in Glioma Treatment (TMZ) Andrew Shrock Marian High School, Mishawaka, Indiana, USA My research is to find and record the different genotypes of the MGMT gene which reveal the outcome frequencies of Glioma treatment. For background, Glioma is a tumor that grows on the brain, which can severely impair functions of the brain (sight, balance, language impairment, etc). When Glioma forms, the MGMT gene is a great biomarker of whether the Glioma cells will be resistant to treatment. The MGMT genotypes can reveal Temozolomide treatment Glioma outcome frequencies for patients. My research question is, “Which MGMT Genotype Will Amplify and Reveal Outcome Frequencies for Different DNA Samples?” The hypothesis is “There will be 65% A alleles and 35% G alleles in the primers for the participants." The procedure was to collect DNA samples of the 21 participants, extract DNA using Chelex 100, and then run the samples in a centrifuge to amplify the DNA. I used a centrifuge and vortex machine to process the samples. The samples were then split into two separate tubes, with either A or G primer. These samples were then put through a PCR reaction. I added agarose gel to these samples, and put the samples through electrophoresis. I then recorded the genotypes of each participant’s sample. I found that 54.8% were A alleles, and 45.2% were G alleles. I also found that the AG genotype was the most common, followed by AA, then GG. This is significant because people with the G allele are more likely to develop leukemia if they already have Glioma.
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School: Northwestern Sr High School
Grade: 11
Category: ANIM
Abstract: Strongylocentrotus purpuratus is a species of sea urchin native to the California coasts. After a heatwave as well as an outbreak of seastar wasting disease, their population was able to expand unchecked. Today, over 95% of kelp forests along the coast have been destroyed by the urchins. Kelp is a keystone species, meaning that its disappearance has ravaged local ecosystems. The goal of the project was to find a way to make the removal of the sea urchins profitable by valorizing their byproducts and efficiently processing them. I hypothesized that profit could be achieved through a combination of collagen extractions and the production of calcium acetate from the tests of the sea urchins. The urchins were washed with sterilized distilled water and separated into uni, tests, and remaining biological pieces. Uni was weighed for cost analysis. Tests were dissolved in acetic acid to produce high-purity calcium acetate. The calcium acetate was filtered before adding boiling water and recrystallizing to increase purity further. The collagen in the remaining biological pieces was extracted via a Pepsin soluble collagen reaction or an acetic acid soluble reaction. The collagen was enhanced with an ammonium sulfate reaction or by dialysis. Collagen concentrations were determined via HPLC and calcium acetate concentration was determined through titrations.
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School: Muncie Central High School
Grade: 11
Category: MCRO
Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared antibiotic resistance in pathogens “...one of the top global public health and development threats.” Such resistance has formed as a result of over-prescription and incorrect use of antibiotic drugs. This study aims to consider the potential for bacteria isolates from dairy farms to produce novel antibiotics that can be harnessed to fight pan-resistant disease. More specifically, several isolates were screened to see their antimicrobial effects against ESKAPE pathogens, including Acinetobacter Baumannii, B. Cereus, and klebsiella pneumoniae. While some isolates showed promising results, both further trials of the isolates in question and new isolates have proven more than imperative. It is clear that this process is an effective method of finding novel types of antibiotics.
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School: Canterbury School -East Central Region
Grade: 11
Category: CBIO
Abstract: PIM kinases regulate cellular proliferation, metabolism and signaling pathways. They are often upregulated by the JAK/STAT and tyrosine kinase pathways. Inhibiting PIM kinases leads to a nonfatal modification of cellular function. This is thought to be useful to minimize side effects when used in combination with multidrug chemotherapy agents, particularly when treating hematopoietic cancers. The ATP binding site located on various isoforms of PIM kinases lends itself well to being targeted by small inhibitors. This study explores potential ligands that are competitive inhibitors of ATP binding on the PIM2 kinase isoform. Using AutoDockTools, various ATP analogues were screened against the PIM2 kinase crystal via molecular docking simulations to identify optimal binding interactions. The docking results were analyzed to identify which ligands have a greater binding affinity compared to ATP, thereby suggesting their potential role as kinase inhibitors. These findings help us in the ongoing quest for effective PIM2 kinase inhibitors that could not only enhance efficacy but also improve safety and tolerability of chemotherapeutic regimens for hematopoietic malignancies.
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School: Culver Academies
Grade: 11
Category: EBED
Abstract: Heart rate monitoring plays a critical role in health assessment, sleep studies, and elder care. While wearable devices are widely used for these purposes, they often pose challenges such as discomfort, inconvenience, and privacy concerns due to their reliance on physical contact and data storage in online databases. Motivated by my desire to help my grandmother, who has heart disease, this project introduces a non-invasive and non-contact sleep protection system based on nano radar technology, offering a more convenient and private approach to health monitoring and protection. At the core of the system is an FMCW radar, which enables continuous heart rate and breathing monitoring within a range of 0.8 meters. This capability marks the first innovative aspect of the project, allowing for contact-free and uninterrupted monitoring—even during sleep. The second innovation lies in the integration of Wi-Fi connectivity, which supports local area network-based data analysis and warnings and ensures user privacy by eliminating the need for external online databases. Additionally, the compact design of the device allows it to be integrated into common bedroom furniture, enhancing its usability and aesthetic appeal. Overall, this project delivers an innovative solution for heart rate and breathing monitoring while balancing convenience, privacy, and practicality. For scenarios where privacy is less of a concern, future iterations could also incorporate long-distance internet connectivity to send alerts to caregivers or family members when abnormal readings are detected, broadening its application in elder care and beyond.
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School: Terre Haute North Vigo High School
Grade: 11
Category: ROBO
Abstract: In FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), precise robot pose estimation is critical for completing tasks, particularly when combatting sensor noise and error propagation over time. This study investigates the effect of varying Kalman filter weights on robot pose estimation accuracy and smoothness by simulating different levels of trust in internal odometry and vision measurements. Using sensor fusion, the robot's internal state (gyroscope, accelerometer, and motor encoders) and camera measurements were combined to estimate the robot's position on the field. Simulation results demonstrated that increased trust in vision measurements led to higher position error and jitter, contrary to the initial hypothesis that higher weight toward vision would always improve position accuracy. The best performance occurred when kinematics measurements were trusted more than vision, with the optimal Kalman filter parameter around 0.2 for kinematics standard deviation. This finding suggests that limited reliance on vision can improve balance between accuracy and smoothness in pose estimation. The results highlight the importance of fine-tuning Kalman filter parameters for effective pose estimation in real-world applications like self-driving cars and Mars rovers.
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School: Culver Academies
Grade: 11
Category: BMED
Abstract: Pancreatic ducal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer and has the worst prognosis among all solid tumors. This research aims to investigate the differences in pancreatic cancer-related transcription factors and differentially expressed genes in different cell types, providing insights into therapies targeting PDA. In this research, scRNA-seq is used to cluster and label cell types using marker genes, which are also used in single-cell assay for transposase chromatin sequencing (scATAC-seq) to annotate the clustering of cell types in the scATAC-seq. The scATAC-seq technology helps to identify differentially accessible regions (DARs) in individual cells and perform motif analysis and peak calling. In scATAC-seq, KLF15, SP3, ZNF148, KLF16, SP9, and SP2 are the six genes found with the most motif regions. Aside from SP9, peaks are found for the above six genes and three genes (TMPRSS4, SERPINB5, and AHNAK2) commonly associated with PDA, suggesting that the motif region in SP9 may affect PDA in other ways or have no effect. Endothelial cells are found with the most absolute number and the highest proportion of overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and DARs, making them a potential target of PDA. This project suggests future directions for PDA treatments and provides insights into the biological processes behind PDA.
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School: Penn High School
Grade: 12
Category: CELL
Abstract: Breast cancer is a significant leading cause of death worldwide, with a vast spread among women. Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking ER, PgR, and HER2, leading to a worse prognosis. Addressing the mechanisms behind doxorubicin (DOX) resistance in TNBC, particularly the role of Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) mutations, is crucial for improving treatment outcomes. The goal of this experiment was to determine the level of DNA damage induced by DOX in APCKO versus control (NTC) TNBC cells and investigate APC's influence on chemoresistance mechanisms. Western blots were used to analyze protein expression, while immunofluorescence visualized and quantified yH2AX expression, a marker of DNA damage that undergoes phosphorylation. Results in the western blot showed a significant increase in yH2AX expression in DOX-treated NTC cells compared to H2O-treated cells (**** p < 0.001). DOX-treated APCKO cells exhibited lower yH2AX expression, suggesting greater resistance to DOX-induced DNA damage. Visualization for Immunofluorescence using GFP and DAPI confirmed these findings, with DOX-treated NTC cells showing increased yH2AX compared to H2O-treated NTC and APCKO cells. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA demonstrated significant differences, reinforcing the conclusion that DOX causes more DNA damage in NTC cells than in APCKO cells. These findings highlight the role of APC in regulating TNBC cell response to chemotherapy and suggest potential targets for overcoming chemoresistance. Future research should focus on evaluating targeted therapies to address APC-related chemoresistance in TNBC and performing in vivo studies to better understand the effectiveness and behavior of these therapies.
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School: Greencastle Senior High School
Grade: 12
Abstract: As a result of research by Dr. Adam Moser of Loras College, there is a need for a program to calculate the relative orientations of benzene rings in DNA. Using the coding language Python and the Python "library" SymPy, I created a program that calculates the area on the xy-plane on which two hexagonal benzene rings overlap, the distance and coordinate shift between the two rings, and the angle between the planes of best fit of the two rings. Among the methods that I used to calculate this information, and in particular the angle between the planes of best fit of the two rings, was a method called Primary Component Analysis (PCA). Using PCA was necessary because the atoms (the "vertices" in a hexagonal benzene ring) are not coplanar, which means that in order to find the angle between the planes of each ring, I had to fit a plane to each ring. While PCA is often used as a tool to simplify data that contains multiple dimensions, I was able to use it to find the normal vector of a plane of best fit for a ring. The methods that I used to calculate information about benzene rings leaves the possibility of further research open. For example, the program rounds its results to twelve decimal places, and this value may not be exact enough.
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School: Culver Academies
Grade: 12
Category: MATS
Abstract: The combustion of fossil fuels has significantly increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, contributing to climate change. Warmer temperatures have led to the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, leading to greater use of antibiotics. The population of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has increased as a result, calling for new methods of bactericidal action. This paper explores the synthesis and bactericidal efficacy of silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs), and zinc oxide (ZnONPs) nanoparticles produced using spirulina extract. Spectrophotometry confirmed the synthesis of nanoparticles, showing no significant variations in size but significant differences in concentration. AgNPs were found to have potent antibacterial properties, reducing 99.98% of Staphylococcus epidermidis colony-forming units (CFUs). AuNPs demonstrated similar antibacterial properties, killing 99.88-99.99% of bacteria. It was not determined whether the AuNPs had any effect on the AgNPs when combined. ZnONPs had significantly lower antibacterial efficacy than AgNPs and AuNPs. Observations of bacterial resistance to nanoparticles illustrate the need for further investigation.
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School: Culver Academies
Grade: 12
Category: PHYS
Abstract: This research investigated the potential of a suction-based laminar flow control (SBLFC) system to delay and mitigate the effects of cavitation on hydrofoils. Hydrofoils offer significant advantages in terms of fuel efficiency and speed for marine vessels. However, cavitation, a phenomenon caused by low-pressure regions on the hydrofoil surface, limits their performance by causing drag, noise, and erosion. The VorCav GEN-2, a modified NACA2412 foil profile, incorporated an SBLFC system to delay the onset of cavitation and improve overall performance. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted to analyze the flow patterns and pressure distribution around the hydrofoil. Additionally, experimental testing was performed to visualize the flow behavior and to aid in assessing the effectiveness of the SBLFC system. The results indicated that the SBLFC system could potentially and effectively reduce the formation of cavitation bubbles by maintaining a laminar boundary layer on the hydrofoil’s top surface. This, in turn, leads to improved hydrodynamic performance and reduced drag. While further research and optimization must be completed, the preliminary findings suggested that the VorCav GEN-2 holds promise for advancing hydrofoil technology and enabling the development of more efficient and sustainable marine vessels.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 12
Category: ENBM
Abstract: In 2022, there were nearly 20 million new cases of cancer patients, and 9.7 million people died due to cancer. One of the largest barriers to cancer drug development is the lack of physiologically relevant but high-throughput and low cost screening methods. The use of vascularized 3D cell culture embedded in biomaterials modeling the extracellular matrix have the potential to serve as more accurate in vitro cancer models, especially by incorporating the pro-angiogenic environment of the tumor microenvironment. In this project, I specifically focused on the incorporation of the lymphatic vasculature in addition to the blood vasculature that have been extensively studied by existing literature. The lymphatic system is responsible for immune cell trafficking and fluid homeostasis, and plays a crucial role in lymph node metastasis. In this study, I explored the use of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived lymph vascularized tumor models for potential uses in personalized drug screening and disease modeling, with the goal of spontaneous lymphatic vasculature formation surrounding a spheroid.
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School: Culver Academies
Grade: 12
Category: MCRO
Abstract: Traditional wastewater treatment has significant energetical demands accounting for 2% of anthropogenic GHG emissions, contributing to climate change. Bioremediation is an emerging avenue toward decreasing wastewater treatment GHG emissions as it decreases energy cost and O_2 requirement in anaerobic conditions. Bioremediation can also remove heavy metals from wastewater, the presence of which has adverse effects on human and environmental health. Shewanella oneidensis can reduce heavy metals in anaerobic conditions, its cytochrome CymA playing an important role in this process. Overexpressing the cymA gene should increase the metal reduction capacity of S. oneidensis. The gene was amplified from S. oneidensis’ genomic DNA. A plasmid vector pBBR1MCS-2 was purified for use in transformation. pBBR1MCS-2 and cymA was ligated unsuccessfully. S. oneidensis was successfully electroporated with the pBBR1MCS-2 plasmid using a piezoelectric electroporator. S. oneidensis electroporated with pBBR1MCS-2 cymA did not show growth. S. oneidensis pBBR1MCS-2 was placed in an LB + wastewater solution to test metal reduction capacities. Metal concentrations of cobalt, nickel, iron, and copper in the solution were too high, killing S. oneidensis pBBR1MCS-2. The metal reduction capacity was unquantifiable as S. oneidensis was not viable. Hydroxide precipitation quantified metal levels in the samples, with precipitate having greater mass than calculated with mean mass of 0.02775g (SD: 2.5 x 10-4g) in the MR-1 sample and 0.02867g (SD: 7.41 x 10-4g) in the pBBR1MCS-2 sample, as the LB contained metals without additional supplementation, with a mean precipitate mass of 0.00640g (SD: 8.64 x 10-4g) in the pBBR1MCS-2 ddH2O sample.
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School: Terre Haute North Vigo High School
Grade: 12
Category: EBED
Abstract: Hearing loss affects over one and a half billion people worldwide, often requiring costly and inconvenient solutions. This project aims to develop a cost-effective and convenient device that displays environmental sounds in real time. Various prototypes were made, beginning with an Arduino Uno and transitioning towards a Raspberry Pi Pico. A neural network was created using a VGG 19 image recognition model retrained to identify whether or not the sound detected was a person screaming. Using the microcontroller-based design with auto-calculating background noise and threshold code integrated with the neural network, the system was tested at various background noise levels to determine its effectiveness. Results showed successful noise detection, 95% in the range of one to five meters at all background noise levels. Performance slightly diminished as ambient noise increased, eventually dropping below a 50% success rate when the sound was fifteen meters away. The prototype demonstrated that it could be used as a solution for individuals with any severity of hearing loss. Future improvements, such as improved neural networks, better integration with microcontrollers, and a more comfortable design could increase reliability and appeal. Overall, this project provides a strong foundation for an accessible option for individuals with hearing loss that is cost-effective and beneficial.
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School: Bloomington High School South-WCIR
Grade: 12
Category: MATH
Abstract: I present a novel use of quantum annealing to solve the Set Splitting Problem using (QUBO) problem formulation. The contribution of the work is in formulating penalty functions that ensure the ground state of the QUBO Hamiltonian corresponds to valid solutions that split the input subsets. This approach scales linearly in terms of the number of logical qubits relative to problem size. Empirical tests of the proposed solution show convergence to globally optimal solutions, with high accuracy rates over repeated trials.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 12
Category: CELL
Abstract: How does APC influence CAF and Tumor Cell Interaction Brianna Marable Marian High School, Mishawaka, Indiana Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), named after all three negative receptors, is a dangerous subtype of breast cancer (Grasset, Eloïse). My experiment focuses on TNBC cells that have the tumor suppressor, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). It also focuses on cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) due to their abilities to increase tumor cell interactions. In my studies, I will use them to make a CAF-conditioned media to place over the cells. Ultimately, I will determine if the tumor cell interactions (proliferation and migration) will be influenced when CAF-conditioned media is placed onto the APC–KO cell lines. If you add CAFs to APC-KO cell lines then you will have an increase in tumor cell interaction because when CAFs are introduced to cancer cells, the tumor cell interactions will increase. To answer my question, I performed a proliferation assay, migration assay, and western blot. The proliferation determined how quickly the cells reproduce, the migration determined how quickly the cells reconnected when split apart, and the western blot determined expression for both Cyclin D1 and STAT3 proteins. My graphs overall had no significance. This means no samples had a noticeable change. Specifically, there was no change in the tumor cell interaction of the APC-KO cell lines when CAF-conditioned media was added which proved my hypothesis incorrect. With this knowledge, I would like to expand on my research by discovering why there was no significance and treat my cells to a chemotherapy drug before the experiment to determine if there is a significant change after.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 12
Category: BMED
Abstract: The Impact of APC Status on AKT Inhibitors in Breast Cancer; Emily Archambeault; Marian High School, Mishawaka, IN Around the world, both men and women suffer from several types of breast cancer, among them being triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC, testing negative for progesterone receptors, estrogen receptors, and HER2 receptors, lacks targeted therapy and is treated with traditional chemotherapy. Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) is a tumor suppressor gene lost in 30-70% of patients through mutation or methylation. Previous studies show that the loss of APC results in resistance to treatment. Western blotting shows that, AKT, a collective set of proteins facilitating cancer cell proliferation, is abundant in APCKO cells, or cell lines that lack APC. This study's goal was to observe the impact of APC status on an AKT inhibitor drug, named LY294002. It is a continuation of last year’s study on the impact of paclitaxel and doxorubicin on APCKO cells, where the knockout cell lines showed a positive response to chemotherapy and an increase of AKT and pAKT expression. For this project, CRISPR was used to knock out APC in T231. Migration assays for five replicates at 0hr and 24hr were used to evaluate the rate of wound healing with the use of LY294002 or water, the control. Data shows that LY294002 worked most effectively on the NTC cell line (containing APC) and 4L15 (APCKO) which is clear at the 24 hour mark of drug treatment. This research is crucial to breast cancer research given TNBC lacks targeted therapy. Researchers can use this data for future studies in hopes of FDA-approving more effective treatments for TNBC.
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School: Marian High School
Grade: 12
Category: BMED
Abstract: Exploring Caspase 3, BAX, and BCL2 Expression in Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Advancements for Chemotherapy Toxicity Charlotte Kemble Marian High School, Mishawaka IN, USA Cisplatin, while a cornerstone in the fight against various cancers, presents a formidable challenge due to its devastating nephrotoxic effects, which can result in acute kidney injury and, in severe cases, renal failure. This research delves into the molecular mechanisms behind cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, with a focus on the critical apoptotic regulators—Caspase 3, BAX, and BCL2—that mediate renal cell damage. By analyzing the gene and protein expression of these molecules, I aim to unravel the complex signaling pathways that drive kidney cell death in response to cisplatin. The study uncovers a profound imbalance in the regulation of BAX and BCL2, leading to an unchecked activation of Caspase 3, which triggers a cascade of apoptotic events that escalate renal dysfunction. These findings illuminate the direct link between apoptosis and the onset of nephrotoxicity, underscoring the severity of this adverse effect. The potential for modulating these apoptotic pathways could offer life-saving interventions to reduce kidney damage and preserve renal function, ultimately preventing long-term organ failure in chemotherapy patients. Given the life-threatening nature of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, this research holds immense promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment by enabling more effective and safer therapeutic strategies. By targeting these molecular mechanisms, this work paves the way for novel treatments that could mitigate the toxic impact of chemotherapy, offering a lifeline to patients suffering from both cancer and the potentially fatal side effects of treatment.
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