FORT PIERCE, FL – Haniya Shareef, a junior at Lincoln Park Academy, is no stranger to innovation as her ratings at this year’s State Science and Engineering STEM Fair and Competition prove. Her individual project, “Molecular Characterization and Enhanced Efficacy of a Novel Host-Specified Bioherbicide Candidate for Cyperus Rotundus,” entered in the Plant Sciences Category was awarded First Place and the Division Grand Award. In addition, Shareef was one of only eight students throughout the entire state of Florida whose project was selected as Best in Show. The other St. Lucie County students participating in the State Fair also returned to the District laden with accolades for their ingenuity and creativity.
Based on the project selection criteria from the Regional Fair, top-ranking students were selected to advance to the State Fair. Escorted by their chaperones, they ventured from St. Lucie County to Lakeland for the three-day judging event. Once there, they had the opportunity to network with others, engage in inquiry and problem solving, and glean ideas for future exploration. According to one of the chaperones and local Science Fair Coordinator Paul Reif, “There were over 875 projects being judged at this year’s event, and I am always fascinated by the culture of positive collaboration as students share their thought processes and reflections with one another. I look forward to this each year!”
Of the 14 participating St. Lucie County students, 13 walked across the stage to receive special awards, categorical place recognition awards, or placement awards. Congratulations to:
Haniya Shareef, Lincoln Park Academy (Senior Division)
Individual
Plant Sciences
“Molecular Characterization and Enhanced Efficacy of a Novel Host-Specified Bioherbicide Candidate for Cyperus Rotundus”
First Place, Division Grand Award, Best in Show (1 of 8 to receive this distinction)
Special Awards: Scholarship, New College of Florida; Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services Award; Society for In Vitro Biology Certificate
Catherine Horger, Lincoln Park Academy (Senior Division)
Individual
Cellular/Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
“The Effect of Indole-3-Acetic Production by Lactobacillus Acidophilus”
Second Place
Shreya Reddy, Lincoln Park Academy (Senior Division)
Individual
Microbiology
“Improving Health of Beneficial Insects through Ingestion of Nonpathogenic Indovirus”
Third Place
Riley Hogge and Alexis Moreira, Fort Pierce Westwood High School (Senior Division)
Team
Physics & Astronomy
“Catching Waves”
Fourth Place
Sreya Banik, Lincoln Park Academy (Senior Division)
Individual
Mathematical & Computational
“Application of Chaos Game Representation of Genes to Measure the Predictability Using Random DNA Sequences to Determine if the Sequence is of Kinase of Phosphatase Protein”
Honorable Mention
Jillian Markle, Lincoln Park Academy (Senior Division)
Individual
Earth and Environment
“Ugh! Another Invasive Weevil in Florida”
Recognition
Special Award: Florida Association of Science Supervisors Award
Callie Zheng, Lincoln Park Academy, (Senior Division)
Individual
Cellular/Molecular Biology & Biochemistry
“Can Human Fecal Specific Primers Be Used to Detect Fecal Contamination in Sediment and Muck Samples?”
Recognition
Special Award: Tomolka Regional Science and Engineering Fair Award
Jack Krasulak, St. Andrews (Junior Division)
Individual
Engineering
“Mitigating the Effects of IED Explosion Through Novel Hull Design”
First Place, Division Grand Award
Special Awards: Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Service Florida Engineering Foundation Award, Collier Regional Science and Engineering Fair Award, ASM Materials Foundation Certificate, Broadcom Masters Award, US Navy Science Award
Riley Hamilton, Olivet (Junior Division)
Individual
Physics and Astronomy
“Testing Fluids for Geothermal Heating and Air Conditioning”
Third Place, Division Grand Award
Conner O’Sullivan, Forest Grove Middle School (Junior Division)
Individual
Earth & Environmental
“Recharge, Repower, and Restore Energy”
Fourth Place
Asha Budhai, Oak Hammock K-8 School (Junior Division)
Individual
Behavioral Social Sciences
“Drop the Pressure”
Honorable Mention
Mason Kozac, Lincoln Park Academy (Junior Division)
Individual
Plant Sciences
“Savanna Mint”
Recognition
Shareef and Reddy will advance with their projects to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in May. This global event will be held in Los Angeles, California.
