Twenty-six students from Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro participated in the Maine State Science Fair on Saturday, March 23. The fair was shifted at the last minute to a virtual setting due to the circumstances, with students having a single 10-15 minute Zoom interview with their judges. Despite the change in format, the MVHS students were able to showcase their projects and compete against approximately 250 students from 24 schools across the state.
Five projects from MVHS students placed within the top three of their respective categories at the science fair. Sam Parent received first place in the computer science category for his project on using drones and neural networks to detect crop disease. Ace Moberly took second place in the plant science (agriculture) category for their project on using eel wastewater as a fertilizer treatment. Lyra Puchalski secured third place for her animal science project focusing on the impact of carbon dioxide on the ciliary function of blue mussels.
Additionally, Anna Weber and Micaela Lorentzen were awarded third place in the plant science category for their project on reducing eutrophication through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. David Creamer placed third in biological sciences and engineering for his study on the impact of blue light on fruit flies. Elisah Stanton received the Reach Award, recognizing promising first-year students, while Anna Possee was offered a scholarship to the University of New England worth up to $20,000.
Jack Martin received a full tuition, renewable scholarship worth nearly $40,000 to the University of Southern Maine. The success of these students at the Maine State Science Fair highlights their dedication to scientific research and their commitment to excellence in their projects.