Region IX Fifty‐seventh Annual Meeting February 22, 2014 Schedule 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. School Registration Weisenfluh Dining Hall (with Mrs. Leah Ann Williams) 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Judges’ Registration Weisenfluh Dining Hall 11:30 a.m. Judges’ Luncheon Weisenfluh Dining Hall 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. Judges’ Meeting Weisenfluh Dining Hall 12:30 p.m. Technician’s Meeting Vincent Science Center Room 116 (with Mr. Don Custer) 12:40 p.m. Orientation Meeting for ALL Student Presenters Smith Student Center (with Ms. Bonnie Nesbitt) 1:15 p.m. Student Presentations Assigned Buildings 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Summary Room Vincent Science Room 102 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Judges’ Social Vincent Science Room 125 Refreshments are courtesy of SRU College of Health, Environment, and Science 4:15 – 5:45 p.m. Dinner Boozel Dining Hall Students are to eat any time after 4:00 p.m. when their unit is done 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony
Pin Sales Smith Student Center Mr. Robert Penrose, Mrs. Leah Ann Williams, and Dr. William Sigmund Closing Remarks 1 Slippery Rock University Buildings (Detailed map can be found on the back cover) Abbreviation Building VSC Vincent Science Center Round science building SWC Spotts World Culture Second building on right from VSC ECB Eisenberg Classroom Second building on left from VSC PT Physical Therapy First building on right from VSC ATS Advanced Technology & Science Across the quad from the VSC Boozel Dining Hall Next to Robert Smith Student Center THANK YOU! Dr. Cheryl J. Norton, President of Slippery Rock University We appreciate your commitment in hosting the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science and the generosity of the monetary gifts and scholarships. Dr. Phillip Way, Provost of Slippery Rock University Dr. Susan Hannam, Dean of the College of Health, Environment and Science Dr. William Sigmund, Biology Professor Thank you for the endless hours you spend in coordinating all the details! You make our lives as co‐directors so much easier. You are the best! Region IX Committee (listed on the next page) We appreciate the dedication you have to your students and the time you spend volunteering to make the PJAS Region 9 Meeting run so smoothly! Judges Thank you for giving up your Saturday to validate these students’ efforts! Sponsors The students couldn’t make it without you! We appreciate you taking care of the paper work properly, making transportation arrangements, and being there for the kid’s questions just because you value this organization! We couldn’t run this meeting with all of you! Leah Ann Williams and Robert Penrose, Region 9 Co‐Directors 2 Region IX 2014 Regional Meeting Committee Directors Lean Ann Williams and Robert Penrose Treasurer Donna Nunamaker Computer Coordinator Devin Ronge Programs Leah Ann Williams and Devin Ronge Orientation Bonnie Nesbitt Judging Phyllis Gray, Veronica Sankey, Robert Penrose, and Leah Ann Williams Summary Room Devin Ronge, Robert Penrose, Leah Ann Williams, Bonnie Nesbitt,Donna Nunamaker, Donald Custer, Elaine Custer, Veronica Sankey, Nanci Dickson, & Janet Bonislawski Technicians Donald Custer State Registration Bonnie Nesbitt Websites www.pjasix.org (Region 9) and www.pjas.net (State) Finances Donna Nunamaker and Leah Ann Williams Special Awards Veronica Sankey and Robert Penrose Pin Sales Elaine Custer University Coordinator Dr. William Sigmund Student Presenters We trust that you appreciate how much time goes into this huge endeavor and numerous adults who volunteer their time to encourage your scientific inquiry. We hope that this is a good experience for you and that you consider science, mathematics, or computer science in your future career plans. Good luck and keep in touch! 3 SPECIAL AWARDS The following awards are given to the outstanding project in each area and are based on recommendations by the judges of that unit. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Junior High Mathematics (7 – 9) Senior High Mathematics (10 ‐ 12) $100 cash from SRU Mathematics Department $100 cash from SRU Mathematics Department Junior High Science (7 – 9) $100 cash from SRU Biology Department Senior High Science (10 – 12) $100 cash from SRU Biology Department Additionally $200 Mentor Award for their teacher/sponsor Junior High Chemistry (7 – 9) Senior High Chemistry (10 – 12) $100 cash from SRU Chemistry Department $100 cash from SRU Chemistry Department Junior High Behavioral (7 – 9) Senior High Behavioral (10 – 12) $250 cash from Butler County Center for Community Resources, Inc. Outstanding Grade 11 Presentation Outstanding Grade 12 Presentation $3000/year for 4 years SRU Scholarship $3000/year for 4 years SRU Scholarship Charles “Chick” Stewart Future Teacher Award (Outstanding Science 11 or 12) $100 cash from Mr. Robert Penrose in honor of his former PJAS teacher/sponsor Junior High Innovation Award (7 – 9) Senior High Innovation Award (10 – 12) $100 cash from Mr. Devin Ronge in honor of PJAS Region 9 and Elaine Custer Directors Awards Sponsored by PJAS Region IX Each of these award winners will receive a $30 Staples gift card from Region IX. Junior High Behavioral Senior High Behavioral Junior High Botany Senior High Botany Junior High Ecology Senior High Ecology Junior High Physics Senior High Physics Junior/Senior High Ecology Junior/Senior High Mathematics Junior High Biology Senior High Biology Junior High Chemistry Senior High Chemistry Junior High Microbiology Senior High Microbiology Junior/Senior High Biochemistry Junior/Senior High Computer Science Junior/Senior High Zoology 4 PJAS Region 9 Special Award Winners from 2013 Outstanding Eleventh Grade John Mass (New Castle HS) $12,000 scholarship ($3000 a year for four years) from Slippery Rock University and $100 from SRU Sigma Xi Society Outstanding Twelfth Grade Jessica Marinaro (Butler SHS) $12,000 scholarship ($3000 a year for four years) from Slippery Rock University and $100 from SRU Sigma Xi Society Chick Stewart Senior High Science Future Teacher Award Matthew Magliocca (New Castle HS) $100 from Mr. Robert Penrose in honor of his former teacher Innovation Award Senior High John Mass (New Castle HS) $100 from Mr. Devin Ronge Innovation Award Junior High Drew Hreha (Apollo‐Ridge MS) $100 from Mr. Devin Ronge Slippery Rock University Senior High Biological Science David Shipe (Freeport HS) $100 from SRU Biology Department Slippery Rock University Junior High Biological Science Hannah Broniszewski (Quigley Catholic HS) $100 from SRU Biology Department Slippery Rock University Senior High Chemistry Jessica Marinaro (Butler SHS) $100 from SRU Chemistry Department Slippery Rock University Junior High Chemistry William Morgus (Butler Catholic School) $100 from SRU Chemistry Department Slippery Rock University Senior High Mathematics Jose Olivas (Opus Fortis Homeschool) $100 from SRU Mathematics Department Slippery Rock University Junior High Mathematics David Blum (Beaver Area MS) $100 from SRU Mathematics Department Ernest P. Hull Award Mitleer Lele (Freeport MS) $25 Junior High Ecology Award Ernest P. Hull Award Megan Matuszak (Quigley Catholic HS) $25 Junior High Physics Award 5 PJAS Region 9 Director’s Awards for 2013 $30 Staples Gift Cards from the Region Committee
Junior High Behavioral Aubrie Hargenrader Drew Kolek Wilmington Area Freeport Area Senior High Behavioral Christopher Ball New Castle Junior High Chemistry Danny Falk Riverside Senior High Chemistry Bailey Tyler Quigley Catholic Junior High Physics Kaylee Polena Thomas Pasucci Freeport Area Freeport Area Senior High Physics Nathan DiSantis Freeport Area Junior High Microbiology Zak Bauer Immaculate Conception Senior High Microbiology Hannah Broniszewski Quigley Catholic Junior High Ecology Brooke Arner Freeport Area Senior High Ecology Denny Loevlie Freeport Area Junior High Zoology Jordan Penrose United Senior High Zoology Deanna Dailey New Castle Junior High Biology Mary Anand Blessed JP II Homeschool Junior High Botany Johanna Knapic United Junior High Mathematics Drew Hreha Apollo‐Ridge Junior High Earth and Space Caroline Chung St. Killian Senior High Computer Science John Mass New Castle 6 PJAS Region 9 Presentations
1:15 P.M.
UNIT 1
Behavioral 7
ATS 103
Katherine Adams, Grade 7
Does Noise Effect Concentration During Free Throws?
St. Gregory School, Kari Adams
Hannah Brown, Grade 7
Memory Tests
United JSHS, Mikel Balsley
Edward Cianci, Grade 7
Do Video Games affect your Sleep?
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Sydney Dailey, Grade 7
Candy or Carrots:Does Appearance Affect Kids Snack Choices
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Morgan Deiseroth, Grade 7
Best Time to Study
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
Katelyn Dudash, Grade 7
How Does Birth Order Affect Personality?
St. Gregory School, Judith Squeglia
Ryann Graney, Grade 7
Tricking Your Senses
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Anthony Grazioli, Grade 7
Homing instinct of human beings
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Celeste Kristek, Grade 7
Memory Mnemonics
St. John the Baptist, Karen Pavlinich
UNIT 2
Behavioral 7
ATS 129
Kate Lunnen, Grade 7
How Empathy Effects Social Loafing
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Mia Maher, Grade 7
Can You Raed Tihs?
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Sydney Pastorek, Grade 7
Does Color Aff the Abil of a Test Subject to Complete a Task
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Rebecca Reese, Grade 7
Does Stuttering Affect Image Perception?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Alec Shreffler, Grade 7
/Memory_Gum
Immaculate Conception, Lauren McCoy
Julia Singleton, Grade 7
Memory Lane
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Nathaniel Twigg, Grade 7
Mirror neurons in males and females
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Kirsten Voelker, Grade 7
Picture Perfect
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
UNIT 3
Behavioral 8
William Adams, Grade 8
Video Games are the Best Medicine
St. Gregory School, Kari Adams
Maya Albanowski, Grade 8
Does Age and Gender Effect Perception?
St. Gregory School, Judith Squeglia
Jacob Babcanec, Grade 8
Does Electronics Effect Your Eyesight
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Maggie Bartony, Grade 8
Do You Remember?
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Grace Bobosky, Grade 8
Which Gender can Memorize Sentences better
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Tara Bowser, Grade 8
Can males or females complete tasks using a mirror faster?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Maria Cade, Grade 8
Jammin' Heart Rates!
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
Sean Cerneskie, Grade 8
How do video games affect your memory?
St. John the Baptist, Karen Pavlinich
Gianna Collins, Grade 8
Caffeine, You Make My Heart Race
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
7 ATS 130
UNIT 4
Behavioral 8
ATS 132
Antonio DiGiacobbe, Grade 8
How Much Oil Does It Take For Your Fingers To Leave A Print?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Carly DiPietro, Grade 8
Do You Think With Your Hands?
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Nicholas Duer, Grade 8
Does memory improve with physical or mental activity?
St. Gregory School, Judith Squeglia
Abigail Fuhrman, Grade 8
Does the Color & Placement of a Pkg Affect Preference?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Levi Green, Grade 8
Musically Studying
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Katie Haley, Grade 8
Working With Music.. Help or No Help?
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Trinity Hudak, Grade 8
Multitasking, Helpful or Distracting
St. John the Baptist, Karen Pavlinich
Ashley Kohnen, Grade 8
Test Taking Skills
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
Isabelle Kratz, Grade 8
Now You Smell It But Can You Taste It?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
UNIT 5
Behavioral 8
ATS 133
Reed Kruger, Grade 8
The Theory of Favoritism Nostalgia
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Nicole Laborie, Grade 8
Candy or Medicine?
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Sarah Lipniskis, Grade 8
Does Gender Bias Affect Short Term Memory?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Katherine Looney, Grade 8
Taste Perception in Your Favorite Kind of Coffee
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Gina Maloney, Grade 8
Mind Over Flavor
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Leah Mariacher, Grade 8
Does sight and smell affect taste?
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Evan Marino, Grade 8
Retention Through the Ages
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Victoria Monroe, Grade 8
Memory Manipulation
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Joey Morgan, Grade 8
Which Distracts more in basketball Sounds or sights?
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
UNIT 6
Behavioral 8
Jessica Morocco, Grade 8
Does Music Effect A Students Visual Perception
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Gabriele Olinger, Grade 8
Do Fears change with age?
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Jordan Penrose, Grade 8
Reaction Times vs. Texting
United JSHS, Mikel Balsley
Victoria Popovitch, Grade 8
Potions and Lotions
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Abigail Pospisil, Grade 8
Balance Over Time
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Rachel Pracht, Grade 8
To Listen or Not to Listen, That's the Question
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Courtney Reiner, Grade 8
Rewards and Motivation
Immaculate Conception, Lauren McCoy
Isabella Sanner, Grade 8
Are composite faces more attractive than real faces?
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
8 ECB 008
UNIT 7
Behavioral 8
ECB 011
Cody Schnur, Grade 8
Numbers and Colors
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Madison Scott, Grade 8
Age and memory
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Cole Stoecker, Grade 8
Evaluating the Ranschburg Effect
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Sydney Stoeckle, Grade 8
Hey, He's Hot!
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Madison Strotman, Grade 8
Gamers: Myth or Man?
Kittanning JHS, Laurel Glover
Anna Takash, Grade 8
Birth Order
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Gabriala Titus, Grade 8
Time Perception in Age
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Gillian Ward, Grade 8
Age and Gender Effects on Memory
St. Gregory School, Judith Squeglia
UNIT 8
Behavioral 9
ECB 117
Karyn Annarumo, Grade 9
Just The Way You Are
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Araycia Byers, Grade 9
Song in Time
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Taylor Calloway, Grade 9
Stay Focused
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Adam Campbell, Grade 9
Mind Games
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Jaime Campbell, Grade 9
Do Video Games Increase Blood Pressure?
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Jade Clark, Grade 9
Whose Ears Can Hear?
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Emily Cornman, Grade 9
Does Popularity Influence Election Results
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Taylor DAmbrosia, Grade 9
Are black and white pictures sadder?
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Katie Duff, Grade 9
Multiple Choice Mania
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
UNIT 9
Behavioral 9
Jaidyn Eggleston, Grade 9
Shoot Away
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Jordyn Essinger, Grade 9
Just Dance
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Paxton Fetterman, Grade 9
Music on Memory
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
John Ford, Grade 9
Can you Taste it Now, Mr. Krabs
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Dezirae Foster, Grade 9
flavor affecting memory
New Castle JSHS, William Bradley
McKenzie Gould, Grade 9
What Step Do You Take First?
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Ava Jevcak, Grade 9
Common Scents
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Sierra Johnson, Grade 9
Dance Revolution
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
9 ECB 201
UNIT 10
Behavioral 9
ECB 202
Matthew Magliocca, Grade 9
Reaction Speed: Males vs. Females
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Christian Marburger, Grade 9
What's Missing?
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Johnna Martin, Grade 9
How Does Episodic Memory Work with Film Scenes?
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Michaelyn Norco, Grade 9
Black and White vs. Color
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Concetta Pounds, Grade 9
Avoid the Distractions
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Giulia Pucci, Grade 9
Reaction Time of Video Game Players vs. Non-Game Players
Butler Area IHS, Veronica Sankey
Kiara Recchione, Grade 9
Liar,Liar!
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Dana Rhodes, Grade 9
Teens and Bad Decisions: Is It Really Their Fault?
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
UNIT 11
Behavioral 9
ECB 206
James Shaffer, Grade 9
Chew Your Way to an A
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Francis Shon, Grade 9
Different Animation
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
McKenna Steck, Grade 9
Do We Outgrow Fears as We Age?
Quigley Catholic HS, Elisabeth Talamo
Gretchen Stough, Grade 9
How Music Affects Emotion in Film
Riverside HS, Raylene Boots
Kiera Thompson, Grade 9
Coloring Your Mood!
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Jacob Troutman, Grade 9
R-r-r-reaction Time!
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Melody Trudgen, Grade 9
How Does Memory Differ Between Introverts and Extroverts?
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Alexis Wesner, Grade 9
Age Is Just A Number
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
UNIT 12
Behavioral 10
ECB 301
Erica Harter, Grade 10
What can YOU see?
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Megan Klingler, Grade 10
Can You Raed Tihs?
Butler Area IHS, Veronica Sankey
Joseph Monaco, Grade 10
Musicians Vs. Non-Musicians
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Niyati Panchal, Grade 10
Colorful Foods
Butler Area IHS, Veronica Sankey
Cheyenne Price, Grade 10
Picking up with the Dominate Paw
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Jerianne Zona, Grade 10
Who Saw it First?
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
UNIT 13
Behavioral 11
Megan Carnahan, Grade 11
Helpful Hues
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
Jonah Casella, Grade 11
The Extra Advantage
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
Kierstin Flickinger, Grade 11
Mind Games.
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
Zoey Povlick, Grade 11
Mint on the Mind
Butler Area SHS, Veronica Sankey
Mackenzie Ross, Grade 11
Distraction
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
10 ECB 302
UNIT 14
Biochemistry 7, 8 & 9
ECB 306
Jacinda Caldwell, Grade 7
Sugar Rush
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Erin Labbiento
Nora Donnelly, Grade 7
What Bubble Gum Lasts the Longest?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Elizabeth Hamilton, Grade 7
Moldy Madness
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
Lauren Killian, Grade 7
Seeing is Believing
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
Lauren Cousins, Grade 8
chemistry of hair highlights
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Sabrina Crawford, Grade 8
Can bones absorb minerals?
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Brooke Arner, Grade 9
Does Resveratrol Aff Drosophila Life Exp/Daphnia Heart Rate
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Jesika Mars, Grade 9
How Strong is Your Hair?
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Xhonane Olivas, Grade 9
Nutrition Analysis in Nopal Cactus (Opuntia Ficus)
Blessed JPII Science Homeschool Co-op, Rebecca Cascino
UNIT 15
Biology 7
ECB 320
Joseph Anand, Grade 7
The effects of BPA on fruit flies.
Blessed JPII Science Homeschool Co-op, Rebecca Cascino
Laryssa Bauer, Grade 7
Which Toothbrush Removes Plaque the Best?
Immaculate Conception, Lauren McCoy
Coleman Bergad, Grade 7
Do RF Waves Effect the Growth of Plants?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Leah Bowden, Grade 7
A Sunny Solution
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Trista Bowser, Grade 7
Egg-citing Discovery
Kittanning JHS, Laurel Glover
Emma Cascino, Grade 7
Noble Rot on Table Grapes
Blessed JPII Science Homeschool Co-op, Rebecca Cascino
Ryan Connolly, Grade 7
Do You See What I See?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Zoe EisenmanHershman, Grade 7
How do Flowers react under amounts of light and water?
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Andrea Emmett, Grade 7
Wheat-based vs. Gluten-free!
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Hunter Kaplin, Grade 7
Bend A Bone With Vinegar
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
UNIT 16
Biology 7
Sophia Lex, Grade 7
How similar are the fingerprints of sibilings?
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Katie Magee, Grade 7
Water vs. Vitamins: Which is more beneficial to plant growth
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Ashley Penrose, Grade 7
Ants
United JSHS, Mikel Balsley
Eric Perkins, Grade 7
"Seeing" Without Eyes: Do Earthworms "See" White Light?
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Ian Polidora, Grade 7
Does Smell affect Taste
St. John the Baptist, Karen Pavlinich
Nathaniel Roy, Grade 7
How does heart rate change with exercise?
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Brigid Smith, Grade 7
Does Color Effect the Perception of Taste
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Kathy Williams, Grade 7
pHruits
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Braiden Wills, Grade 7
Best Technique to Relieve DOMS Pain After Workout
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
11 ECB 321
UNIT 17
Biology & Ecology 7 & 8
SWC 100
Aidan Wanner, Grade 8
The Best Time of Day to Harvest Sweetcorn
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Hannah Woodside, Grade 8
Testing the Relationship Between Eye Color and Sight
Kittanning JHS, Laurel Glover
Ben Yankasky, Grade 8
From Genes to Genetic Disease: What Mutations matter?
Ford City JSHS, Laurel Glover
Mitchell Zock, Grade 8
Expedition Decomposition
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Sierra Twigg, Grade 7
Different Shapes of Windmill Blades
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Elizabeth Wagner, Grade 7
Measuring Air Pollution Near Different Types Of Roads
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Patrick Kriley, Grade 8
Breaking The Ice
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Miheer Lele, Grade 8
Can aquat plants remove hvy metals from fly ash contam water
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Jasmine Santiago, Grade 8
Particles in the Air
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
UNIT 18
Biology 8
SWC 104
Jacob Albright, Grade 8
Bacteria Growth on Cell Phones
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Daniel Bonomo, Grade 8
The Effects of Different Disinfectant on Bacteria
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Catherine Buchanan, Grade 8
Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me!
Immaculate Conception, Lauren McCoy
Charles Cascino, Grade 8
Got Bacteria?
Blessed JPII Science Homeschool Co-op, Rebecca Cascino
Cleary Dunn, Grade 8
Bacteria Growth on Different Surfaces
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
William McGrath, Grade 8
The Effect of Detergent on Eisenia fetida.
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Joseph Murcko, Grade 8
Familial Correlation and Fingerprints
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Mara Reed, Grade 8
Comparing the Glucose Amount in Various Juices
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Patrick Smith, Grade 8
Soda Stains
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Emilee Vargo, Grade 8
Bacteria Growth in Different Species of Dogs
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
UNIT 19
Biology 9
Mary Anand, Grade 9
Effects of Triclosan on Drosophila melanogaster
Blessed JPII Science Homeschool Co-op, Rebecca Cascino
Marissa Butera, Grade 9
The Eyes Have It
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Paige Donahue, Grade 9
The Affect of Muscle Stree on Knee Ligament Tears
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Taylor Heasley, Grade 9
Battle of the Iris
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Olivia Larson, Grade 9
Can japonica wasabi kill E. coli k-12?
Beaver Area SHS, Jason Beltz
Paige Shaftic, Grade 9
Dogs: What's worse, their bite or their bacteria?
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Juliana Stanko, Grade 9
Are Fungi Plants?
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
12 SWC 113
UNIT 20
Biology & Zoology 9
SWC 114
Jackie Wilbon, Grade 9
The Effect Of Overpopulation On Guppies.
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Eva Ashbaugh, Grade 9
Give Me A Paw
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Hunter Ferchaw, Grade 9
Through a Horse's Eyes
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Sydney Stewart, Grade 9
Maze for Mice
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
UNIT 21
Biology & Microbiology 10
SWC 115
Kyrstyn Donofrio, Grade 10
Miss and Mr Temperature
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Michael Frabotta, Grade 10
Eye Color Examination
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Zoe Miller, Grade 10
Juice Vs. Sports Drinks
Quigley Catholic HS, Elisabeth Talamo
Hannah Broniszewski, Grade 10
The Effects of Different Antibiotics on Bacteria
Quigley Catholic HS, Elisabeth Talamo
Emily Chinchilla, Grade 10
Is Going Green Keeping You Clean?
Quigley Catholic HS, Elisabeth Talamo
UNIT 22
Botany 7 & 8
SWC 116
Samuel Boyden, Grade 7
What Do Tree Tings Tell You About Rainfall?
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Nick Hanahan, Grade 7
Carrot vs. Celery
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Katherine Leonard, Grade 7
Plant vs. Microwave
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Isabella Parks, Grade 7
The Effect of Fluorescent Lights on the Growth of Plants
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Austin Cherry, Grade 8
At What Temperature do Green Bean grow the most?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Sarah DelMaramo, Grade 8
The Territorial Swallowtail
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Alicia Gregory, Grade 8
Hot or cold H2O plant growth
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Evie Guzman, Grade 8
Are Plants Able to Grow Well in Acidic Soil?
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Sophia Reitz, Grade 8
Do Norway Maples Inhibit Plant Germination and Growth
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Olivia Schnur, Grade 8
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Effect Plant Growth?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
UNIT 23
Botany & Ecology 9 & 10
Rianna Lyden, Grade 9
Stumped
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Alexandra Mackeprang, Grade 9
Do They Grow?
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Brooke Migdal, Grade 9
Infusing the Bacopa carolinana with gold nanoparticles to ex
Beaver Area SHS, Jason Beltz
Andria Parady, Grade 9
How do you cigarette insides affect plants?
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Alexandra Arbanas, Grade 9
Effect of Acid Rain on Ocean Life
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Isabelle Lindsay, Grade 9
Do Deer Affect the Regen. of Native and Invasive Plants?
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Chad Pakozdi, Grade 9
Ammonia VS Flow Rate
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Annamarie Lovre, Grade 10
UV effects on lima bean seeds
Quigley Catholic HS, Janet Bonislawsky
13 SWC 117
UNIT 24
Botany, Ecology & Microbiology 11 & 12
SWC 200
Brittany Lutheran, Grade 11
Breathe In, Breathe Out
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Sierra Grguric, Grade 11
Litter Getter
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
Denny Loevlie, Grade 11
A Cost Efficient Water Purification System
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Daniel Kolesar, Grade 12
No Salt Please
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Emily Cronin, Grade 11
A Solution to Look Upon
Quigley Catholic HS, Elisabeth Talamo
Macy Jaskiewicz, Grade 11
Quantitative Analysis of Bacterial Growth on Package Salads
Quigley Catholic HS, Janet Bonislawsky
Ellen Kruczek, Grade 11
MRSA in the ER
Quigley Catholic HS, Janet Bonislawsky
Anna Majewski, Grade 11
Sun Shirt vs T-shirt: The Wardrobe Malfunction
Quigley Catholic HS, Elisabeth Talamo
UNIT 25
Chemistry 7
SWC 201
Jordan Benka, Grade 7
Do all liquids evaporate at the same rate?
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Owen Cianci, Grade 7
Which Can of Disifectant Leaves the Least Amount of Bacteria
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Sydney Detky, Grade 7
Banana Bonanza
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Nathan Ellis, Grade 7
Liquid Antacid Potency
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Carly Fattman, Grade 7
Melts Faster
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Brandy Foreman, Grade 7
Permanent Markers- How "Permanent" Are They?
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Breanne Freund, Grade 7
How much water will a dried bean absorb.
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Courtney Frye, Grade 7
Candles Put to The Test
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Morgan George, Grade 7
Home Cleaning Solutions
United JSHS, Mikel Balsley
Jaysa Grafton, Grade 7
Electrolyte Challenge: What Drink Works Best?
Kittanning JHS, Laurel Glover
UNIT 26
Chemistry 7
Dante Grenci, Grade 7
Waterworks
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Leese Groce, Grade 7
Which brand of storage bags seal the best?
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Matthew Guy, Grade 7
Tums vs. Rolaids
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Caroline Hoovler, Grade 7
Biodiesel V. Gasoline
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Madison Houck, Grade 7
Lotion Moisture
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Bryce Knauf, Grade 7
What paper towel brand cleans up messes the best?
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Drew Kolek, Grade 7
Does DEET Decrease the Strength of Fishing Line?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Ryan Kuntz, Grade 7
Big Pieces or Small Pieces, Which React Faster?
Kittanning JHS, Laurel Glover
Caroline McGonigle, Grade 7
Coffee, Tea and Coke - It's No Joke
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
Zeke Mohrbacher, Grade 7
Speedy Chill
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
14 SWC 206
UNIT 27
Chemistry 7
SWC 215
Veronica Muth, Grade 7
Scrub-a-Dub
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Amber Nelson, Grade 7
Rocketology
Kittanning JHS, Laurel Glover
Sarah Parry, Grade 7
Expanding Ice
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Rachael Pieto, Grade 7
Growing Rock Candy: Seeded vs. Unseeded
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Thomas Preston, Grade 7
Acid Rain Issues
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Rachael Quillin, Grade 7
Which retains color better: chemical dye or natural dye?
Saints Peter and Paul, Louella Joseph
Kaitlyn Ramsey, Grade 7
Pigment Competition
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Sarah Rensko, Grade 7
Soap Scam
United JSHS, Mikel Balsley
Chris Rowe, Grade 7
Banana Reactions
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Jacob Rumelfanger, Grade 7
Dissolving Pain
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
UNIT 28
Chemistry 7
SWC 216
Veronica Shaffer, Grade 7
That Costs a Pretty Penny
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Abram Shannon, Grade 7
Dirty Dilemma
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Amelia Smith, Grade 7
What Pepto-Bismol Dissolves Faster?
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Alexandra Suhar, Grade 7
Got Suds?
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Lily Svirbly, Grade 7
Apples Vs. Oxygen
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
MaryBernardine Torrez, Grade 7
Stain, Stain Go Away
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Jacklyn Toth, Grade 7
Diet Disasters
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Jane Turek, Grade 7
Which is Denser, Water or Salt Water
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Sophia Velto, Grade 7
How to Melt the Ice Best
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
UNIT 29
Chemistry 8
Lily AbiNader, Grade 8
Stretching the Possibilities
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Erin Labbiento
AnnaMarie Berger, Grade 8
Poppin' Popcorn
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Dante Burns, Grade 8
Does the color of candle wax affect the rate it will burn
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Emily Coglio, Grade 8
Does Whitening Toothpaste Actually Work?
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Caitlyn Figuly, Grade 8
What Keeps A Cut Flower Alive The Longest?
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Dylan Foster, Grade 8
Effects of Different Liquids on Iron Nut's Rusting Rates
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Catherine Kohlman, Grade 8
Salt vs. Boiling Water
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
Robert Leck, Grade 8
Just Keep Cool
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Bret Lundgren, Grade 8
How Do You Make the 'Best' Cookie?
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Rebecca Pennington, Grade 8
How much energy is stored in different types of foods?
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
15 SWC 217
UNIT 30
Chemistry 8
SWC 219
Emma Arblaster, Grade 8
Curdled Milk
United JSHS, Mikel Balsley
Janel Brandt, Grade 8
How Does pH Effect Copper
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Steven Cain, Grade 8
Solubility
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Mia Esoldo, Grade 8
Growing Sugar Crystals In Different Temperatures
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
Kaitlyn Fleeger, Grade 8
What Method Makes the Softest and Tastiest Marshmallows?
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Emily Fumerola, Grade 8
Oxidation and Polymers
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Annalynn Lalama, Grade 8
Running Baby Diapers
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
Ryan Leedham, Grade 8
Corrosiveness of Sodas
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Kimberly Millan, Grade 8
Does Fabric Softener Effect the Flammability of Fabrics?
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Elijah Peterson, Grade 8
Soda and Mentos
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
UNIT 31
Chemistry 8
SWC 300
Madison Beardmore, Grade 8
Coffee, Tea, and Soda
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Brendan Buchanan, Grade 8
The Effect of Temperature on Helium Balloons
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Anna Chiprean, Grade 8
A Command Performance
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Danny Falk, Grade 8
What's the Best Cat Litter?
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
Lauren Fobes, Grade 8
Different Acidity Levels in Milk
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Jessica Izenas, Grade 8
The Effect of Color Protectant Shampoos on Colored Hair
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Hunter Lawrence, Grade 8
Comparing Detergents on Stain Removal
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Erin LeMay, Grade 8
Bye Bye Oil
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Jeremy Novelli, Grade 8
Removing Stains with Various Detergents
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Hannah Repas, Grade 8
Carbohydrate Amounts in Various Milk
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
UNIT 32
Chemistry 8 & 9
Carlee Stoner, Grade 8
Getting the Soap Out
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Emily Wheat, Grade 8
Do All Green Colors Have The Same Chromatogram?
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Caleb Woodring, Grade 8
Evaporative Cooling
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Eugenia Barboza, Grade 9
Spoiled Milk?
Immaculate Conception, Lauren McCoy
Jessica Bishop, Grade 9
Effect of Bleach Concentration on Chocolate Ice Cream Stains
Butler Area IHS, Richard Boeh
Briana Burgin, Grade 9
Just Remove It!
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Julie Cepec, Grade 9
Which Types Metalworking Fluids Best Inhbit Bacterial Prolif
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Deanna Dailey, Grade 9
Bye, Bye Bacteria
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Natalie DeVincentis, Grade 9
Dissolve the Pain
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
16 ECB 317
UNIT 33
Chemistry 9
SWC 304
Andrew Gonzales, Grade 9
Stomach Pain?
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Rebecca Grossi, Grade 9
Bloody Cleanup
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Zane Hamill, Grade 9
The Fabric Softener of Your Life
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Jeremy Hawthorne, Grade 9
Dissolving at different temperatures
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Erin Labbiento
Cameron Kruisselbrink, Grade 9
Stain Be Gone
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Rachel McNickle, Grade 9
Say Good-Bye to Chapped Lips!
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Thomas Pascucci, Grade 9
Which Temp Produces Strongest Crystalline Sugar Structure?
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Jaymee Stiger, Grade 9
Hot Lips
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Lexi Thompson, Grade 9
Which Household Product Removes Nail Polish Best?
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
UNIT 34
Chemistry 10 & 11
SWC 306
Noah Bowser, Grade 10
Does Clorox Affect the Strength of Different Fabrics?
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Carri Pakozdi, Grade 10
Carbonation vs pH
Butler Area IHS, Veronica Sankey
Jackie Rearick, Grade 10
Antacids
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
Isaac Williams, Grade 10
Sports Drinks vs. Juices
West Middlesex Area HS, Katie Shaffer
Olivia Wright, Grade 10
Eggcellent Fluoride
Lakeview HS, Marie Kohr
Claire Broman, Grade 11
Juicy Justification
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
UNIT 35
Computer Science & Mathematics 7 & 8
VSC 105
David Dioguardi, Grade 8
BASD
Beaver Area MS, Julie Allison
Paul Skanderson, Grade 8
An Encryption and Decryption Program
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
David Blum, Grade 7
The Golden Ratio in a Pentagon
Beaver Area MS, Donna Nunamaker
Anthony Perini, Grade 7
The Sphere and Cylinder
Beaver Area MS, Donna Nunamaker
Drew Hreha, Grade 8
OPR (Overall Player Rater)
Apollo-Ridge MS/HS, Danielle White
Ian Stafford, Grade 8
Finding the centroid of polygons
Beaver Area MS, Donna Nunamaker
UNIT 36
Computer Science & Mathematics 9, 10 & 11
Jessica Lincoln, Grade 9
Algorithm to Convert Text For Dyslexics
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Julie Kasunic, Grade 10
Payroll
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
John Maas, Grade 11
Back to BASIC
New Castle JSHS, William Bradley
Julie Kasunic, Grade 10
Fluid Dynamics Using Bernoulli's Equation
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Jose Olivas, Grade 11
Statistical Analysis on Movies at the Box Office
Blessed JPII Science Homeschool Co-op, Rebecca Cascino
Lake Sankey, Grade 11
Volume as an integral
Butler Area SHS, Veronica Sankey
17 VSC 114
UNIT 37
Earth and Space & Physics 7 & 8
VSC 116
Jack Bussard, Grade 7
Which Direction Should You Point Solar Panels
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Cassie Hockett, Grade 7
How Sea Salt Works
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Forrest Hurrelbrink, Grade 8
Asteriod defences
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Nicholas Zyble, Grade 8
Does the Temperature Affect the Size and Shape of a Tornado?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Thomas Anand, Grade 7
Lift Off
Blessed JPII Science Homeschool Co-op, Rebecca Cascino
Elliott Armstrong, Grade 7
Experimenting with Blowing Bubbles
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Joseph Atkinson, Grade 7
Car Crash Analysis
Butler Area JHS, Ben Klugh
TyRese Baker, Grade 7
Heated Bulbs
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
Henry Bartony, Grade 7
BOING!
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Austin Benson, Grade 7
Which Bat Beats The Other?
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
UNIT 38
Earth and Space & Physics 10 & 12
VSC 122
Matthew Adams, Grade 10
The Power of Ion Engines
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Devin Fitz, Grade 10
Finding Ideal Angle for a Field Goal Kick
Butler Area IHS, Richard Boeh
Tyler Lucas, Grade 10
Does Temperature Effect the Properties of Ferrofluids
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Megan Matuszak, Grade 10
Bottle Rockets: Aerodynamic Fin Design
Quigley Catholic HS, Elisabeth Talamo
Roberta Pegg, Grade 10
Coffee Mugs - Which One Will Keep My Drink the Warmest?
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Andrew Plesniak, Grade 10
The Effect of Polarization on Light and Energy
Mars Area SHS, Joseph Plesniak
Tyler Williams, Grade 10
The Drop and Hop
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Nathan Williams, Grade 10
Does Temp Aff the Velocity of Diff Brands of Paintballs
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Uriah Lindsay, Grade 12
Does temperature after the Accuracy of a paintball
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Derek Shaffer, Grade 12
Can You Give Me a Lift?
Lakeview HS, Marie Kohr
UNIT 39
Microbiology 7 & 8
Salvatore Amato, Grade 7
Which Works Best, Germ-X or Hand Soap?
Immaculate Conception, Lauren McCoy
Mataya Costello, Grade 7
Bacteria be gone
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
Abigail Kiffer, Grade 7
Do More Expen Hand Sanit Inhib Bact Betr Than Les Expen Ones
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Meghan Rosendale, Grade 7
Mouth Cleaning Mayhem
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
Jacob Saulsbery, Grade 7
Liquid vs. Bar Soap
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Ethan Skinner, Grade 7
Airhead
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Michaela Burkhauser, Grade 8
What Are You Eating?
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
Ella Feldmiller, Grade 8
The Effectiveness Of Hand Sanitizer Brands
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
18 VSC 201
UNIT 40
Microbiology 8 & 9
VSC 203
Abigial Plocki, Grade 8
Does More Expensive Deodorant Inhibit bact. Better?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Lyrick Stewart, Grade 8
What Energy Drink Will Increase Daphnias Heart Rate the Most
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Gabrielle Weaver, Grade 8
The 5 Second Rule
Immaculate Conception, Lauren McCoy
Haley Beckman, Grade 9
Does Febreeze really kill odor causing bacteria?
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Hayden Bergad, Grade 9
Improv the Abil of Sharklet to Inhib Bacterial Prolieration
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Haley Crosby, Grade 9
Does the Strength of a Mag. Fld Affect Bact. to Proliferate?
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Madison Kineston, Grade 9
Germ Killer?
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Joey Pauletich, Grade 9
What Type of Mold Grows Mold the Fastest?
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
UNIT 41
Physics 7
VSC 205
Mariah Bupp, Grade 7
How Heavy is a Bubble?
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Nick Butia, Grade 7
Skateboard School
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Guilia Commisso, Grade 7
Putting Cups To The Test
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Olivia Cullen, Grade 7
Syrup Viscosity
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Robert Davis, Grade 7
What are Bubbles
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Amber Dawson, Grade 7
Paper Towel vs. Water
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Alexis Dubay, Grade 7
The Tennis Ball Bouncers
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
John Ellenberger, Grade 7
What Robot Wheels Size Goes the Fastest
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Bryce Endrizzi, Grade 7
Does The Temperature of A Basketball Effect Its Bounce?
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Bryce Enscoe, Grade 7
Archimedes Screw
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
UNIT 42
Physics 7
Joshua Evans, Grade 7
Where There is Charge, There can be Sparks!
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
David Fleming, Grade 7
aerodynamics in paper airplanes
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Leah Grady, Grade 7
Changing the Pic
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Samantha Grazioli, Grade 7
Ideal design of a Tidal Turbine
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Aubrie Hargenrader, Grade 7
Does pitch affect how well a note travels through glass?
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Shawn Harpst, Grade 7
Fishing Line: Braided vs. Monofilament The True Strength
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Evan Hoak, Grade 7
Does Temperature Affect the Strengtb of a Magnet?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
David Kinniburgh, Grade 7
Which Brand of Craft Glue Has Great Adhe Streng for Low Cost
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Lucas Klenovich, Grade 7
How does the type of pipe effect the speed of a magnet?
Saints Peter and Paul, Louella Joseph
Kaely Klonowski, Grade 7
Composite VS. Alluminum Softball Bat
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
19 VSC 212
UNIT 43
Physics 7
VSC 304
Jackson Landgraf, Grade 7
The Conductivity of different items
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Logan Lindey, Grade 7
Break Down The Wall!
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Brock Loevlie, Grade 7
does temp affect kinetic energy of a rubber band
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Samuel Matthews, Grade 7
Parachute plummet
Beaver Area MS, Donna Nunamaker
Jayme McKay, Grade 7
The Investigation of Your Favorite Jiggly-Wiggly Dessert
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
Grace McNeil, Grade 7
its butter!
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
Ray Miller, Grade 7
Ball Bounce
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Matthew Moore, Grade 7
The Effect Of Tennis Racquet String Tension
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Anthony Morgan, Grade 7
What is the Most Accurate Spot on a Basketball Court
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Matthew Mowry, Grade 7
How Far Does It Fly?
Hermitage MS, Nancy Bires
UNIT 44
Physics 7
VSC 305
Megan Muller, Grade 7
How dense does water have to be to make an egg float?
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Alexander Nour, Grade 7
Heat Conduction
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
Eva Philips, Grade 7
Which fabric retains the most heat?
Saints Peter and Paul, Louella Joseph
Payne Prowell, Grade 7
What shooting position do you best shoot a basketball from?
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Victoria Roudebush, Grade 7
How Long Does a Curl Hold with a Different Curling Iron?
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Jensen Ruthenberg, Grade 7
Which color absorbs the most heat?
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Mary Schratz, Grade 7
Drops on a Penny
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Slade Sherman, Grade 7
Distance of the Football
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Samantha Sholler, Grade 7
The best way to cool Coke.
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Colt Snyder, Grade 7
Robo-Hand
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
UNIT 45
Physics 7
Nathaniel Statler, Grade 7
Low Pressure/High Pressure
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Lurena Stewart, Grade 7
Does the price of Duct Tape Indicate Its Adhesive Strength?
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Josephine Strobel, Grade 7
Weight VS Paper Plates
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Noah Walton, Grade 7
Egg strength
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Lena Welker, Grade 7
Temperatures Effect on Magnets
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Victoria Wilson, Grade 7
Does Temperature Affect How High a Dek Hockey Ball Bounces?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Jacob Winters, Grade 7
Wheeled vehicle
Wilmington Area MS/HS, Sandra Earl
Jacob Yudt, Grade 7
Tennis Ball Travel
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
John Zurisko, Grade 7
Do More Expen Golf Balls Bounce Higher Than Less Expen Ones
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
20 ATS 152
UNIT 46
Physics 8
ATS 153
Amber Angert, Grade 8
Crystal Clear Static
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Mitchell Belles, Grade 8
Do Microwaves Kill?
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Angela Birckbichler, Grade 8
What affect does temperature have on rubber bouncy balls?
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Gregory Bradac, Grade 8
Broadhead Cutting Diameter and Their Impact.
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Hannah Carmella, Grade 8
Sticky Situation
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Erin Labbiento
Grace Currie, Grade 8
Sock Situation
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
Ashley Curtician, Grade 8
Pressure Effects on the Bouncing Height of a Volleyball
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Isaac Davanzati, Grade 8
Trusting Trusses
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Hanna Drozynski, Grade 8
Rotor Blade Designs for Wind Energy
Lakeview MS, Marie Kohr
Matt Goodwin, Grade 8
Which Baseball Bat Performs Better?
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
UNIT 47
Physics 8
Cory Haaz, Grade 8
Leap Distance
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Josh Hagaman, Grade 8
Which Liquid Freezes the Fastest?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Drake Hale, Grade 8
Rollercoaster Marbles
Kittanning JHS, Laurel Glover
Robert Hays, Grade 8
Air Ace
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Alexandra Hunkele, Grade 8
Into Intonations!
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
Brenden Johnson, Grade 8
Effect of sound hole placement on amplitude
Beaver Area MS, Julie Allison
Zachary Jordan, Grade 8
Fastest Video Game Character
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
Benjamin Kalberer, Grade 8
Battle of the Battery Brands
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Emma LeMay, Grade 8
Sky Drop
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Isaac Martin, Grade 8
Hovercraft Friction
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
21 ECB 322
UNIT 48
Physics 8
ECB 323
Michaela Mattivi, Grade 8
Does the Cost of Ski Wax Affect Frictional Reduction
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Kaylie McAninch, Grade 8
Does Temp Aff the amount of KE a Golf Ball Poss After Struck
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Marisa Metropoulos, Grade 8
Nothing But Net: The Science of Shooting Hoops
St. John the Baptist, Karen Pavlinich
Brenden Miller, Grade 8
Battery Life
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Richerd Mineo, Grade 8
The Bed of Nails
St. Gregory School, Kari Adams
Matthew Nichol, Grade 8
Power Up Your Strength
Butler Catholic School, Jayne Chobot
Luke Pinkerton, Grade 8
how much weight can magnets lift
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Timothy Porter, Grade 8
Marshmallow Blast
Butler Area JHS, Veronica Sankey
Sara Real, Grade 8
Cost of Softball Bat aff Force
Freeport Area JHS, Donald Orlowski
Alexa Reider, Grade 8
Hitting the Powerball!
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
UNIT 49
Physics 8
SWC 316
Ethan Revitsky, Grade 8
Penetration power of a compound bow and a crossbow
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Nash Ridgley, Grade 8
Cost vs. Efficiency of Plastic Wraps
Riverside MS, Jeffrey Gonzales
Elysse Rogers, Grade 8
Cool It!!
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Erin Labbiento
Gregory Schratz, Grade 8
That Magnetic Pull
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Samuel Shadle, Grade 8
3G Vs. 4G LTE: Which is Better?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Benjamin Taylor, Grade 8
What Takes the Least Amount of Energy to Dribble Basketball?
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
Mark Torsello, Grade 8
Runaway Shoes
New Castle JSHS, Suzette Senchak
Andrew Wiesen, Grade 8
How pulley sytems affect force required to lift a mass
South Side MS, Michael Stewart
Adam Yacuob, Grade 8
What Excerise Can Increase Running Speed
Kennedy Catholic MS, M. Epstein
UNIT 50
Physics 9
Caitlin Adamo, Grade 9
Going The Distance
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Devynne Booker, Grade 9
Volleyball Under Pressure
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Caleb Bowser, Grade 9
Does Rice Gluten H20 Affect the Adhesive Strength of Mortar
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
Jared Budai, Grade 9
Are Concussions Bullet Proof?
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Justin Campbell, Grade 9
Speed Exercise
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Shelby Dudash, Grade 9
Roasting Marshmallows
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Jmya Eggleston, Grade 9
Caps Slowing You Down
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Matthew Gibson, Grade 9
Better Warm or Better Cold
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
22 SWC 318
UNIT 51
Physics 9
VSC 308
Ethan Hamill, Grade 9
Guitar Picks
New Castle JSHS, LeahAnn Williams
Kordell Hawkins, Grade 9
The Best Network
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Stephen Lowther, Grade 9
Fishing Line Strength
United JSHS, Mikel Balsley
Cassandra Maas, Grade 9
Out of the Wave
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Domenic Morell, Grade 9
Bound and Rebound
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Hanna Mueller, Grade 9
That's Hot!
Sharpsville Area MS/SHS, Nanci Dickson
Cody Papa, Grade 9
Wet Spin vs. Dry Spin
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Katelyn Peak, Grade 9
Hotter is Higher
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
UNIT 52
Physics 9 & 10
VSC 310
Michelle Pfahles, Grade 9
Plugged-In
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Haley Piatt, Grade 9
The More padding, The Better!
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Gino Quahliero, Grade 9
Which Ball is the Best?
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Isabella Rapone, Grade 9
Nailed It
New Castle JSHS, Chadd Quimby
Zachary Senchak, Grade 9
Bat In Action
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
Micaela Stover, Grade 9
How effective are your shoes when it comes to your joints?
Riverside HS, Raylene Boots
Katherine Zingaro, Grade 9
What ? of Attack Provides the Most Lift When Airfoil is Iced
Freeport Area SHS, Donald Orlowski
George Dudich, Grade 10
The Golf Ball Battle
New Castle JSHS, Susan Harlan
UNIT 53
Zoology 7 & 8
Ethan Adamson, Grade 7
Squirmy Wormy
West Shamokin JSHS, Patricia Yamrick
Madeline Blatt, Grade 7
What is the Healthiest Dog Food Brand?
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Madison Griffith, Grade 7
Snail V.S. Magnet
Karns City HS, Emily Hixson
Noah Guy, Grade 7
Rabbit Genetics
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
Brianna Magee, Grade 7
Which Dog Toys Do Dogs Like Better?
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Nicholas Voytko, Grade 7
Does Temperature affect Bird Feeeding Activity?
St. Vitus School, Marguerite Wills
Sarah Benkart, Grade 8
Cat Play Time
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, Rick Rechenberg
Makayla Utlak, Grade 8
Stride vs. Stride
St. Michael School, Anastacia Beckman
23 VSC 313
PJAS STATE JUDGING ‐ THE SHORT COURSE General Nature of PJAS Competition Students wishing to present their researches for PJAS competition are grouped into units with other students of similar grade and category of research and evaluated by a small team of judges. Students give timed oral presentations about their projects after which judges may ask questions for a timed period. Judges score the student on their individual worksheets after each presentation. The student is rated numerically by his success in each of 5 independently‐evaluated criteria. Later when all students in the unit are finished the judging team returns to Judging Headquarters to obtain the official tally sheet. On that paper they will compile their individual scores into a composite average score for each student. General Procedures for Judges 1.
Judges, who are selected by the Judging Committee, will show knowledge of the field he or she is judging as demonstrated by academic degrees or experience in the field. 2. Each new judge will submit a registration form to the Judging Committee. 3. Each new judge will attend an orientation session conducted by the Judging Committee. 4. Judges are responsible for working with the room technicians to make sure proper competition conditions are established in the Presentation Room. Judges should make sure that a timekeeper is available with an official log sheet and that the projection equipment is working properly. It is imperative that no one enters or leaves the room during the presentation. Judges must maintain proper decorum inside and outside the room so that no student can be interrupted during his presentation. We suggest that a member of the judging team explain these operating procedures to those in the room at the beginning of the session. 5. Judges are responsible for identifying student participants and determining the sequence of presentations. Each student will give his presentation in the order listed in the program book. Judges may make an exception for unusual circumstances, such as special interviews, multiple‐projects, or such wide disparity in grade levels in a mixed room that they prefer to hear the youngest ones first. 6. Judges may NOT add a student to their unit without official written notice from the registration committee or its representative. 7. Students are not in competition with each other for some single top award; rather they are evaluated on how well they succeed in fulfilling the 5 PJAS State Criteria. Therefore, there is no limit to the number of each award that may be awarded in a given Presentation Room. 8. Each judge’s evaluation of the presentation shall be made independently from other members of the judging team. However, after all the presentations have been heard, judges are encouraged to consult with one another in determination of the final awards. 9. It is important that all judges in the team return to the judging headquarters when the individual worksheets are completed to record their scores on the official tally sheets. All worksheets and the tally sheet must be personally signed when they are submitted. furthermore, judges are often called upon to fill out individual comment sheets on the students or make recommendations about special awards for which they may be eligible. 10. Awards will be solely based on the mathematical averages of the scores. But judges should be aware that data entry into the computer scoring program is by using the individual judges scores in each of the 5 criteria. 11. Room Technicians. The judging team will be assisted in the presentation rooms by one or more technicians. Their duties are to: a) Act as a timekeeper, using flash cards to aid the participant and judges, recording the times on the official log sheet. b) Set up the audio‐visual equipment, aiding its use during presentations, and returning equipment at the end of the session. c) Control the door and hallway so that the participant is not distracted during his presentation. In rare cases where no technician is available, judges may NOT serve as timekeepers themselves. They should make arrangements with student presenters to serve as timers. Students at the front or back end of the “batting order” are usually more amenable to this request. 12. Remember these PJAS participants are CHILDREN who are just beginning to work and think as scientists; they are not Ph.D. candidates 24 13. Questionable Research Topics. Judges should know that PJAS adheres very closely to the rules and procedures of the International Science and Engineering Fair regarding living vertebrate and human subjects, recombinant DNA, tissue acquisition, the use of lasers, and the use of controlled substances. Before any such experimentation can be registered for regional competition the student and his sponsor must submit detailed research plans and obtain a series of certifications and clearances to ensure proper adult supervision during the planning and execution of the project. For a project in the above list to appear at a Regional or State PJAS competition, the judge must assume the project has met the necessary qualifications at the regional level. The judge is welcome to ask the Judging Committee to check the validity of the certification that resides in the hands of the Regional Director. More precise details about the certification process can be obtained from the booklet PJAS Rules and Regulations for Conducting and Judging of Student Research or The PJAS Sponsor Handbook. PJAS Presentation and Scoring Rules 1.
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The participant's research and presentation must conform to the following rules: Each research will be judged on its own merit in meeting the Criteria for Judging rather than in competition with other research. Eligibility. The student doing the presentation must be the one who conducted the research. (ABSOLUTELY NO SUBSTITUTES). No student may present a research topic from a previous year without conducting significant additional research on the topic during the current year. Presentation specifics:  A student shall not be interrupted during his/her presentation.  No three‐dimensional objects may be used in the presentations.  PJAS is making the transition to digital student presentations. However, in many cases the presentation will be done using the traditional method of overhead projector and transparencies For Digital Units: Digital is permitted only when PJAS provides the computer. Students will be notified in advance whether or not they will be in a digital unit. Slides may contain text and graphics ONLY. Animations, music, and sound effects are not permitted. Presentations must be saved in PDF format. One way to create a digital presentation is to use PowerPoint, then convert to PDF. If overhead projectors are available, students in digital units may choose to use transparencies instead of digital. A student’s score should not be lowered because of this choice. For Traditional Units: Visuals should be in the form of transparencies, projected using an overhead projector. Transparencies should be neat and easily visible to all in the presentation room.  Visuals are to be used to enhance and supplement the talk, but not to replace the speaker.  The actual experiment may not be used in the presentation. No materials may be passed to the judges during the presentation.  Only a PJAS technician or person authorized by the Judging Committee may assist with the use of the audiovisual equipment.  In cases of doubt as to the appropriateness of a presentation, the State Judging Committee will make the final ruling. Measurements must be in metric except where highly specialized equipment is calibrated in other units. Presentations in which the measurements were not done in metric will not receive a first place award, regardless of score. The presentation will not exceed a maximum time limit of 10 minutes and will be given proper notice by a timekeeper. No reduction in score will be given for a presentation of less than 10 minutes. Presentations exceeding 10 minutes will not receive a first place award, regardless of score. There will be a grace period of approximately 10 seconds before this penalty is applied. Upon completion of the presentation the researcher may be questioned BY THE JUDGES for a time period of NOT MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. Judges may ask questions to seek clarification of a student’s methods, conclusions, and/or understanding. It is inappropriate for judges to criticize or comment on a student’s project. The researchers may use notes in their presentations but reading the report to the judges is considered bad form. Scoring specifics. Each category of the Judging Criteria shall be scored on a 5 point integer system: (Excellent) 5 ‐ 4 ‐ 3 ‐ 2 ‐ 1 (Unacceptable) 25 10. The student shall receive award based on the average score per judge, calculated by the following formula: Average Score = Total Score of All Judges 5 x (Total Number of Judges) 11. The standards for awards at the State Meeting are: 1st award ‐ average score 4.0 or higher 2nd Award ‐ average score 3.0 or higher 3rd Award ‐ average score below 3.0 12. Judges may not disqualify a student. It is the responsibility of the Judging Committee to decide disqualifications. 13. Questions concerning infractions of the State Rules for Judging are subject to the investigation and ruling of the Chairmen of the State Judging Committee and the Regional Directors if appropriate. 14. Non‐PJAS Awards. Judges should be aware that outside agencies often are interested in rewarding some of our participants, identified either by judges' high scores or a set of criteria of their own. 15. The only persons permitted in a presentation unit are assigned presenters, assigned judges, assigned technicians, and PJAS approved Information Technology personnel helping with digital presentations. Exceptions must have written permission from a member of the judging committee. This written permission must be given to the judges in the unit. 16. A parent waiting for his/her child may not disrupt the presentation unit in any way. This includes maintaining a sufficient distance from the door of the unit so that there is no visual contact and conversation is not audible in the presentation room. PJAS reserves the right to disqualify a student if his/her parent interrupts the presentation unit. PJAS Judging Criteria General comments on the criteria: Note that of the 5 criteria to be used to evaluate the student, two (Presentation and Judges Opinion) are the same in all three of the research fields chosen (science presentations, math presentations, and computer science presentations). The other three criteria are referring to content of the project and will vary according to the nature of the specific discipline. The official criteria will appear here in bold face print with discussion or suggestions as to interpretation found in regular print. Science Presentations SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT ‐ Selection and statement of the problem, experimental validity and value, scope of design. The ultimate aim of science research is to promote new knowledge and understanding of the world in which we live. From reading and observation one comes up with a basic concept. This idea permits formulation of a meaningful question or hypothesis to which an answer may be found through a suitably designed experiment. Thus judging the “scientific thought” criterion involves consideration of such questions as: a) Does the student exhibit sufficient background understanding of the principles and concepts involved in the topic? b) Is there a significant basic thought in the project? Is it clearly stated? c) Does it admit formulation of an age‐appropriate meaningful question? d) Is the scope of the problem sufficiently limited to permit a meaningful experiment? e) Is there a single, formal hypothesis? EXPERIMENTAL METHODS‐ Choosing/developing techniques for valid analysis. Use of original materials or using old materials in an original way. Proper controls and sample size. This criterion refers to the details of a well‐designed experimental procedure intended to answer the question posed. The project may require designing, building and using material hardware. The presenter must design and carry out his/her own experiment. a) Is the project well designed for the problem at hand? b) Is the experiment basically sound, with sufficient sample size and control of variables? Did the experiment have both a control group and experimental group(s)? c) Does the procedure follow a logical sequence? d) Have any original or ingenious materials or methods been used? e) Were results measurable/quantifiable and done in metric? 26 ANALYTICAL APPROACH ‐ Ability to draw valid conclusions. Full use of data and findings. Interpretations of weakness of design. Suggestions for further research. Book reports and research theories unsupported by practical data cannot achieve success in PJAS competitions because of this criterion. The student must have personally accumulated some actual data to analyze, even if the trend is negative or neutral to his hypothesis. The critical thing for a student to exhibit to judges is that he knows what the data MEANS. a) Is the body of data sufficient to draw valid conclusions? b) Do the conclusions refer back to the original question or hypothesis? c) Is the student grouping the data properly to enable comparisons between groups? Is the data fully used to draw conclusions? d) Is he evaluating the significance of his own data properly? e) Has the student thought about how his experiment could be improved if it were to be repeated? Is he aware of sources of error? f) Is the student able to make suggestions for further researches related to his topic or perhaps see a practical application of his findings to the real world? PRESENTATION ‐ Ability to convey the information gained to others. To demonstrate new and improved ways of expressing and communicating scientific ideas. The presentation should, preferably, be in the form of a free talk employing good oral communication skills. The time restrictions in the rules necessitate planning and rehearsal. The critical question is “When the student is finished do you understand exactly what he did and why?” a) Does the talk cover all the essentials of the project ‐ the basic premises, the hypothesis or problem, the experimental methods, the data, and the conclusions? b) Is the talk well‐organized and flowing in a logical pattern? c) Do the audiovisual aids enhance the audience's understanding? d) Does the student demonstrate through the presentation and his responses during the questioning period a firm understanding of the basic scientific principles involved? JUDGE’S OPINION ‐ Consider the age level and project correlation when necessary. Also, your overall feeling of the problem and the quality of the student's work. This criterion covers simply the judge’s overall reaction to the nature of the project and its handling by the student. Mathematics Presentations Mathematics presentations are expository in nature, not experimental. Appropriate projects should either be of a level beyond what the student is currently studying or on an enrichment topic. FULFILLMENT OF PURPOSE ‐ a) Did the presentation have focus? b) Considering the topic and time allowed, was the scope of the presentation suitable? c) Did the student use appropriate mathematical vocabulary? d) Did the student show depth of understanding of mathematical concepts and principles? CONTENT a) Did the presentation have specific and illustrative content? b) Was the presentation free from mathematical errors? c) Is there a practical application or any correlation or interaction with other disciplines? d) Did the student use correct mathematical notation? DEVELOPMENT a) Was there unity, coherence and inherent logic in the sequence of ideas? b) Does the student show insight? c) Does the student show sufficient examples or counter‐examples? d) Can the student make suggestions as to related topics needing further investigation? PRESENTATION 27 The presentation should, preferably, be in the form of a free talk employing good oral communication skills. The time restrictions in the rules necessitate planning and rehearsal. a) Is the talk well organized and flowing in a logical pattern? b) Do the audiovisual aids enhance the audience’s understanding? c) Is the quality of exposition of a high degree? d) Is the student’s competency with the principles such that he can answer questions with clarity, and elaborate where necessary to make a point? JUDGE’S OPINION This criterion is an overall subjective evaluation of the student’s work considering age level, depth, complexity of the subject matter, as well as the student’s success in achieving his purpose or objective. Computer Science Presentations PROPER PLACEMENT DECISIONS. As in the mathematics projects this category is expository in nature of its presentations and seldom involves the controlled experiments required of science projects. Judges, sponsors and students must realize that projects that do have data accumulated in a controlled experiment where the computer’s role is merely to serve as a tool to analyze the data, draw pretty graphs, and do statistical conclusions DO NOT BELONG IN THE COMPUTER SCIENCE category. Such projects more properly fit the judging criteria for the specific science field such as biology or physics in which the project was done and should be transferred there before being judged. The PJAS State Judging Committee feels that a small modification of a pre‐existing (canned) program is not a suitable project to present in our competition. Pre‐existing programs may be used, however, if they are a small part of the student’s own work. A wide disparity exists between schools in their offerings of formal computer science courses. It is the task of the judges to identify students who have gone beyond the standard opportunities provided by their schools. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM a) Is the objective of the project clearly stated? b) Does the problem chosen have relevance or practical application in today’s world? c) Did the student use appropriate computer vocabulary? d) Did the student show depth of understanding of relevant programming concepts and principles? e) Does the project entail creative thinking in approach techniques? METHODS a) Was there unity, coherence and inherent logic in the sequence of the presentation? b) Does the student follow accepted procedures, using either structured programming or object‐oriented programming? Is the underlying logic sound? c) Did the student explain the project design using a high level diagram? d) Did the student include an explanation of difficult, unique and/or significant section(s) of the program? FULFILLMENT OF PURPOSE a) Did the student show the results of his work? Was the objective obtained? b) Does the student have a quality product? c) Did the project include exceptional features and/or coding? d) Does the presenter know of areas for further expansion or improvement of the project? PRESENTATION The presentation should, preferably, be in the form of a free talk employing good oral communication skills. The time restrictions in the rules necessitate planning and rehearsal. a) Is the talk well organized and flowing in a logical pattern? b) Do the audiovisual aids enhance the audience's understanding? c) Is the student's competency with the principles such that he can answer questions with clarity, and elaborate where necessary to make a point? d) If the student is employing special medium, such as a VCR or computer screen, is its value to the speech significant? Was its use limited to less than 10% of the total speech? 28 It is acceptable for a student to show key parts of code line by line. However, the presentation should not consist of a student explaining his/her program line by line. A high‐level method should be used instead. JUDGE’S OPINION Evaluate the complexity and quality of the project with respect to the age and grade level of the student and the amount of previous experience with computers. Remember schools vary considerably in what computer offerings they can make available to students. General Notes on the Use of Visuals a)
No 3‐D objects are permitted. Nothing may be passed to the judges. b) Acceptable presentation media include digital visuals or overhead transparencies. c)
Judges are reminded in their briefing that schools vary considerably in the types of equipment that they have available to make visuals. Content is important, not color and visual enhancements. d) PJAS presentations are an educational activity. For this reason, presentation visuals (transparencies/slides) must be clearly visible to all in the presentation room. e) Before using any specialized media, please review the pertinent section of the Short Course: PJAS Presentation and Scoring Rules, #4 – Presentation Specifics. This Short Course (revised 3/13) is an excerpt from Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Rules and Regulations for Conducting and Judging of Student Research PJAS Judging Statement PJAS at the regional and the state level utilizes judges from the area surrounding the competition site. The Regional and State competitions are held at a central location on a single day. In that the presenters, judges, and support personnel converge on the specific venues on a specific date, certain restrictions must apply. First, all presentations must take place on that day and on that site. Secondly, the results are deemed final. There can and will be no “rejudging” of presentations. Judges are polled before submitting their final results to ensure that the scores and the awards are acceptable to the entire judging panel. If there is a disagreement, it must be rectified before the judges’ final submission. Once the judging panel is released the score and award is final. The large number of participants competing across the state will undoubtedly produce some results that are not expected. PJAS tries to make the evaluations as objective as possible. Using specifically designed rubrics along with orientation of judges, our judging committees do an exceptional job to ensure a fair result. 29