While most Santa Maria area students were on vacation this summer, eight teens participated in the seventh annual Summer Science Institute founded by Riccardo Magni. These students met for six weeks at Allan Hancock College from June 13 to July 21, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students had to apply to the program and were selected based on the merit of their application and teacher recommendations. Each student was given the task of developing their own unique science project with the goal of completing it over the summer and preparing to compete in the Santa Barbara County Science Fair in March of 2017 at UCSB. The students and their projects are as follows:
Erik Ruiz monitored the heart rate of viewers who watched close basketball games and blowout games to see if there was any measurable physiological effect.
Samantha Neri looked at the impact of the Varroa destructor mite on local bee populations.
Dominique Aranda studied the rate at which mealworms eat Styrofoam when compared to eating their normal diet, wheat bran.
Jennifer Hernandez studied the PM 2.5 particulate air pollution in her neighborhood in central Santa Maria and compared her results to those recorded during the same time frame by the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District.
Vincent Sanchez investigated the local food supply for genetically modified corn. He tested ears of corn from every local grocery store as well as popcorn and birdseed containing corn.
Elizah Hernandez checked powder foundation makeup of four major brands (two expensive and two inexpensive) to see if it came with bacteria and if so, what strains of bacteria were present.
Katryna Vong analyzed the effects of three popular fertilizers on the growth of algae in an attempt to reduce the local incidence of algal blooms.
Omar Mata used biomimicry as an inspiration to devise three different wind turbine blade designs. He then analyzed the power output from each in order to determine which blade design had the best application on a small turbine in a low wind speed environment.
In a statement, Magni said, “This year we had more project diversity than perhaps any other year. That’s crazy!” Besides the mentoring of Magni, Josh Tenhet and Miriam Mendez also worked to help the students complete their projects.
Tenhet added in the press release, “The SSI was a great way to connect with those students who wanted to take their science learning one step further. They were given the opportunity to apply their knowledge and passion for science to real world issues that they found interest in, and aren’t necessarily able to explore in the traditional classroom setting.”
UnitedAg grants scholarships at luncheon
Local students received $12,500 in scholarships on July 22 from the Agribusiness Education Foundation (AEF) during a luncheon at the Far Western Tavern.
UnitedAg founded the AEF in 2000 for the purpose of helping members, employees of members, and their families pave their way to educational and future success. The AEF provides financial assistance to advance the educational goals of UnitedAg members, their employees, and their employees’ dependents.
Since its inception, UnitedAg has awarded more than $1 million in scholarship support to 580 students. Previous scholarship winners have taken their place in management, government, market development, and foreign trade. The primary fundraisers for the foundation are an annual golf tournament, a walkathon, and a silent auction held during UnitedAg’s annual conference each year.
Scholarship winners included:
Betzy Bra-Gonzalez, UC Hastings College of Law, $2,000; Christian Cerda, UC Santa Barbara, $500; Christopher K. Curiel, Cal Poly, $3,000; Maria Garcia, UCSB, $3,000; Alyssa Jordan, University of Hawaii at Manoa, $500; Casey Muth, Lane Community College, $2,000; Jeanette Rocha, University of La Verne, $500; Christina Ceja, Humboldt State University, $500; Alicia Toche, Allan Hancock College, $500; and Christina Molina, Humbolt State University, $500.
School Scene was compiled by Editor Shelly Cone. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, email, or mail.
This article appears in Jul 28 – Aug 4, 2016.