Five Bonackers competed in the New York State Science and Engineering Fair at the Hall of Science in Queens on March 30, presenting projects on topics ranging from leaf development in butterhead lettuce to ocean wave growth measurements in hurricane-force winds. It was the largest team ever to represent East Hampton High School.
“[It] was a huge day for Bonac Science! Certainly a day for the record books at the New York State Science and Engineering Fair,” said Dr. Stephanie Forsberg, a science teacher at the high school, who led the group. “Competing against the top 440 projects from across the state — Bonac had five students represent East Hampton. This was a record high for our school and also a solid representation compared to any other school in New York State.”
Ella Menu, a junior, won the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Taking Pulse of the Planet Award, and second place across the entire state, for her work studying wave energy growth during hurricanes, simulating her own waves in a laboratory tank.
“I collected data on wave heights and wind speeds to calculate energy and how quickly it grew in the initial stage of wave growth. There are numerous theories that outline energy growth in ocean waves, but mine was different, as it studied that early developmental stage. I found that energy growth was much faster in this initial period, which differs from classic wave theory,” Ella said.
“This research contributes to a global climate understanding as a whole, which is really important regarding coastal community infrastructure and renewable energy generation using wave energy, which is much more reliable and sustainable. I believe that my research fills some gaps in established wave theory.”
Stella Brecker, a senior, came in third place in the category of Materials Science. Inspired by her love of fashion, she developed a biodegradable leather alternative through kombucha fermentation.
“I was really disturbed at the environmental effects of fast fashion, and the fashion industry in general. I found a research article that used the byproduct of kombucha fermentation called the SCOBY as a novel fabric, but found that there was a lot more potential research to be done to make it more durable, aesthetically pleasing, and scalable for application in real-world industries while sticking to sustainable values,” she said. “I have experimented with creating my own natural dyes, testing eco-friendly processing methods and their effects on tensile strength and flexibility, as well as methods to purify the SCOBY. All very fun stuff!”
Wilmer Verdugo, a senior, focused on hydroponics within a nutrient film-technique system. “I received a bacterial serum, called PaKM, from the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. I applied this serum to the roots of lettuce seeds and grew them in the hydroponics system. I maintained external conditions such as pH and electrical conductivity, and measured the plants’ fresh weight, canopy area, and the number of leaves on each plant. Ultimately, PaKM had an insignificant effect on the growth of lettuce, but this was still worth confirming.”
While the bacterial serum didn’t significantly impact the lettuce growth, the research project attracted considerable attention. “Over the course of three hours, five judges visited my poster to ask about my project and question it,” Wilmer said. “The judges were mainly professors from local universities and asked questions about my methodology, basic knowledge relating to the project, and potential future research.”
Pleased with what they learned, the judges gave the work an honorable mention.
Sophie Lancashire, a junior, also received an honorable mention for her work in hydroponics, in which she looked at how adjusted calcium nitrate levels impact leaf development and expansion in hydroponically grown butterhead lettuce. Above all, she said, she had a terrific time.
“The opportunity to be in such a professional setting surrounded by some of the most prestigious students in New York seemed intimidating at first, but the realization that my research is comparable to that level was enough of an accomplishment for me. Discussing my research with professionals in that field was less challenging than I had imagined; I was able to learn so much more about my topic simply by talking about it with people who gave me new perspectives to explore. I was able to speak with a judge I had previously met at LISEF who spoke with me about future career paths. It’s a great opportunity to hear feedback and receive guidance from people who have succeeded in a field I am so passionate about.”
Angie Castillo, a senior, studied eczema, a condition she has, exploring affordable and improved treatments for underserved populations. “My presentation [was] centered on eradicating different staph strains present on atopic dermatitis [eczema]-prone skin,” she explained. “I was hoping to use my research to potentially facilitate the creation of a new eczema treatment method. It is relatively inexpensive to create. I hope it could be brought to regions with a lack of access to health care.” She too received an honorable mention.
Dr. Forsberg said she couldn’t be prouder of the group’s achievements. “From making their Round 1 presentations as films, with the help of our Bonac Broadcasting team, to presenting in person at the New York Hall of Science — they have brought Bonac Science to the next level. When we go to these competitions, everyone knows to pay attention when East Hampton is in the mix! We had one of the largest groups in New York State to make it to Round 2 of this prestigious competition.”