Western Wayne High School and Middle School students presented scientific research at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Regional Competition on February 28. These students investigated a scientific question, carried out controlled scientific research, and presented their findings to a panel of professionals in the scientific fields. Students engaged in the engineering design process to develop these projects. The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) is a statewide organization of middle and high school students designed to stimulate and promote interest in science among its members through the development of research projects and investigations. The first award winners will present their research at Penn State Main Campus in May.
High School:
Audrey Agnello- 1st award for her research in the field of Behavioral Science. Audrey studied Gender Differences in Deceptive Efficiency. Audrey was awarded a perfect score as well as the excellence award in senior high behavioral science. Her research centered around analyzing whether males or females could lie more efficiently. According to her findings, males did it more proficiently. Audrey was also awarded a scholarship to The University of Scranton as a result of her dedication and academic performance in the program. She plans to pursue a career as a labor and delivery nurse.
Madelyn McClure -1st award for her research in the field of Zoology. Madelyn studied the Thermal Effects of Exercise on Equine Lower Limbs. Madelyn focused on how protective boots may increase tendon damage due to heat retention using a thermal camera and horses that are in training. She plans to pursue a career in pharmacy.
Christoper Pane- 1st award for his research in the field of Biology. Christopher studied How cells are protected from Stress by Antioxidants. Chris’s work is related to cancer development in cells and how antioxidants prevent damage and protect cells. He learned through his research how food waste could possibly be made into an effective material to fight cancer. He plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
Ava Karabuber- 1st award for her research in the field of Botany. Ava studied the Effects of Salt on Plant Germination. Ava focused on how road salt runoff is impacting germination in plants. She wishes to pursue a career as a doctor.
Charlie Vinton- 1st award for his research in Microbiology. Charlie studied the Bacterial Content of Manufactured Snow. Charlie’s work examined the bacterial load in snow that is manufactured at ski resorts compared to natural snow.
Igor Barth- 2nd award for his research in Physics. Igor studied the Effects of Temperature Variation on Solar Panel Energy. Igor examined how temperature fluctuation in our local environment is affecting the energy developed by solar panels. He learned through his research that colder temperatures are more efficient. He aspires to be an entrepreneur.
Middle School:
TJ McClure- 1st award for his research in Physics. TJ conducted an Experimental Analysis of Projectile Velocity Consistency. TJ examined how ballistics rounds vary in velocity throughout a lot and between brands as fired through a chronograph. He learned that expensive bullets are not necessarily more precise than cheaper ones. TJ was awarded a perfect score and the Junior High Excellence Award in Physics. He wishes either to pursue business as a career or work on natural gas lines.
Harper Bell- 1st award for her research in Physics. Harper studied the effects of softball bat type on ball distance. Harper’s interest in softball drove her research to determine which bat is most effective. She discovered through her research that wooden bats were effective due to the density of the material they are made from. Harper wishes to pursue either a career in speech pathology or occupational therapy.
Sophia Shehadi- 1st award for her research in Microbiology. Sophia studied the Effects of Straw Type on Bacterial Content. Her work involved determining the bacteria that builds up in straw materials during use. She determined that smoother materials like plastic and metal had less bacteria build up. She wishes to pursue a career as a labor and delivery nurse.
Maria Shemanski- 2nd award for her research in Microbiology. Maria studied the Effects of Pasteurization on Milk. Maria examined the difference in bacterial load in raw milk in comparison to pasteurized milk. Maria also studied the bacterial load of milk after expiration dates. She found through her research that raw milk had higher bacteria levels. She wishes to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher.
Other PJAS researchers included:
Abigail Bell studied the Effects of Dance on Mood Regulation. She discovered through her research that ballet brought about calm, hip hop brought about a more intense feeling, and jazz seemed to relax individuals. Abigail plans to pursue a career as a pedicatrician.
Raegan Fox studied the Efficacy of Soaps on Bacterial Growth. She found that Dove soap seemed to have the most effective ingredients. She wishes to pursue a career as a physician’s assistant.
Abbie Washine studied the Effects of NSAIDS on Muscle Strength. She studied deer muscles for her project. Abbie wishes to pursue a career in pediatric orthopedics.
In addition, Alicia Wertman, studied tendon strength. She was excited to be a part of this group of students who represented Western Wayne.
Club advisors are high school teachers: Christine McClure and Maria Masankay.
All of the students and faculty involved from Western Wayne are especially grateful for this experience.
“I am so honored and humbled to be awarded scholarship money to The University of Scranton,” Audrey Agnello said. “I can’t wait to begin my career path to becoming a labor and delivery nurse.”
From left, kneeling: Maria Shemanski, Harper Bell, TJ McClure, Igor Barth, and Abbie Washine. From left, standing: Raegan Fox, Audrey Agnello, Ava Karabuber, Christopher Pane, Maria Shemanski, Madelyn McClure, and Abigail Bell. Absent from photo: Charlie Vinton and Alicia Wertman.
