Ellis Students Win Regional PJAS Awards
Seventeen Ellis students were awarded either first or second place at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Regional Competition held on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at Duquesne University. Several students were also awarded perfect scores and additional special awards of merit including the American Society of Civil Engineers Special Award, the Excellence in Scientific Pursuit Special Award, the High School Behavioral Director's Award, and the Duquesne Provost Merit Award.
PJAS is a statewide organization that promotes and encourages science and mathematics research and analysis among high school students. At the competition, students participate within different scientific categories of research—such as Computer Science, Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, Mathematics, etc.—and present their hypothesis and findings to a panel of judges. Once the judges deliberate and determine student’s scores, the awards are announced and all first place winners automatically receive a spot at the final state competition.
To prepare for the regional competition, students in grades 7 to 11 have worked tirelessly on their presentations since the fall, spending time outside of the classroom to develop, research, and analyze their original ideas prior to the competition. All first place winners will move on to compete at the PJAS state competition May 20–22, 2018 at Penn State University.
The Ellis School is incredibly proud of the hard work, preparation, and effort that went into the competition and students’ performance on Saturday.
Congratulations to:
Congratulations to:
Grade 7
Katie Anderson – 2nd Place – Which Antacid is the Most Effective? (Chemistry)
Viola Haggerty – 2nd Place – Which Fertilizer Helps Soybeans Grow the Fastest? (Botany)
Kate Nury – 2nd Place –The Relationship Between Density and Sugar in Beverages (Chemistry)
Serena Sharan – 2nd Place –How do Antibiotics Affect Plant Growth? (Botany)
Grade 8
Radhika Bhargava – 2nd Place – DNA Compaction in Relation to Nuclear Size (Microbiology)
Mia Cirilano – 1st Place, Perfect Score – Which Natural Antibiotics Kills the Most Bacteria? (Microbiology)
Makayla Malandra – 1st Place – Which Password is the Most Secure? (Computer Science)
Mia Cirilano – 1st Place, Perfect Score – Which Natural Antibiotics Kills the Most Bacteria? (Microbiology)
Makayla Malandra – 1st Place – Which Password is the Most Secure? (Computer Science)
Meghan McNabb – 2nd Place – Peanut Butter’s Taste/Texture vs. Nutritional Content (Chemistry)
Shivani Nangia – 1st Place – The Effect of Tea, Coffee, and Sodastream on Plant Growth (Botany)
Erika Rispoli – 1st Place – Do Cats Like Music? (Zoology)
Stephanie Somlo – 1st Place, Perfect Score, American Society of Civil Engineers Special Award – Sanitation in Swimming Pools (Microbiology)
Shivani Watson – 1st Place, Excellence in Scientific Pursuit Special Award – Producing Biofuel from Prickly Pear Cacti (Chemistry)
Shivani Watson – 1st Place, Excellence in Scientific Pursuit Special Award – Producing Biofuel from Prickly Pear Cacti (Chemistry)
Maya Winter – 2nd Place – The Human Impact on Wildlife Morbidity and Morality (Ecology)
Grade 9
Sami Silk – 1st Place, Perfect Score, High School Behavioral Director's Award, Duquesne Provost Merit Award – Electronic vs. Printed: Differences in Attention (Behavioral Psychology)
Grade 9
Sami Silk – 1st Place, Perfect Score, High School Behavioral Director's Award, Duquesne Provost Merit Award – Electronic vs. Printed: Differences in Attention (Behavioral Psychology)
Grade 10
Alena Lateef – 2nd Place – How Does Clothing Affect Social Responses? (Behavioral Psychology)
Alena Lateef – 2nd Place – How Does Clothing Affect Social Responses? (Behavioral Psychology)
Grade 11
Zoey Hu – 1st Place – Be a Chemist and an Ice-Cream Maker (Chemistry)
Lucia Snyderman – 2nd Place – Identification of Ammonite Fossils (Zoology)Envision Her at Ellis
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