These STEM students have bright futures ahead of them (and a trip to Ottawa)

More than 20 students in Grades 7 to 12 competed in the 35th annual Rotary Algoma STEM Fair last Friday at the George Leach Centre.

Winners received prizes, awards and scholarships. Four students — Ellery Bowman, Anirudh Gupta, Jonah Santa Maria and Lennon Turco, all in grade 12 at Korah Collegiate & Vocational School — will also have the opportunity to represent Algoma at the Canada-wide Science Fair.

“We are very encouraged with the increase in participants at this year's Rotary Algoma STEM Fair,” said Dr. Dante Carlascio, STEM Fair chair, in a news release issued today. “The judges were extremely impressed with the caliber of projects and amazed by the knowledge and passion that the students possessed.”

For more information and the complete list of award winners, see the press release below: 

The 35th annual Rotary Algoma STEM Fair was held this past Friday, April 12 at the George Leach Centre on the Algoma University Campus. Over twenty grade 7-12 students competed for prizes, awards, scholarships, and the opportunity to represent Algoma at the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

“We are very encouraged with the increase in participants at this year's Rotary Algoma STEM Fair,” shared Dr. Dante Carlascio, STEM Fair Chair. “The judges were extremely impressed with the caliber of projects and amazed by the knowledge and passion that the students possessed.”

In addition to the dedication of its student participants, the fair was bolstered with the support of community sponsors, teachers, and members of the Huron Superior Catholic District and Algoma District School Boards. “Our fair was only possible because of generous sponsors in our community, especially our presenting sponsor, Tenaris,” added Carlascio. Over $8,000 in prizes and scholarships were awarded at this year’s fair, including the Tenaris Award for First Place Overall in the three grade categories, and a $1,000 Grand Prize sponsored by Tenaris.

The awards are as follows:

Algoma Award - 3rd Place Projects - Junior Category
Innovative Solutions to Improve Healthcare in Sault Ste. Marie
Student: Erin Yap, Junior (Grades 7 - 8)

Algoma Award - 3rd Place Projects - Intermediate Category
The Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle
Students: Leah Biemann, Taylor Nieson, Intermediate (Grades 9 - 10)

Algoma Award - 3rd Place Projects - Senior Category
How does the Purity of Ethanol affect Flashpoint?
Student: Jonah Santa Maria, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Don Wallace Memorial Award - 2nd Place Projects - Junior Category
Dollar to Dirt
Student: Jacob Dixon, Junior (Grades 7 - 8)

Don Wallace Memorial Awards - 2nd Place Projects - Intermediate Category
How Clean Is A High School Bathroom?
Student: Gregory Zach Ybanez, Intermediate (Grades 9 - 10)

Don Wallace Memorial Awards - 2nd Place Projects - Senior Category
What is the effect of different concentrations of different concentrations of orlistat on the rate of hydrolysis of lipids by measuring the rate of pancreatic lipase activity over 60-min at 37° C, using a pH probe?
Student: Anirudh Gupta, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Tenaris Awards - 1st Place Projects - Junior Category
Comparing liquid hand soaps, hand sanitizers and antibiotics to see which are the best
Student: Alexandra Bishop, Junior (Grades 7 - 8)

Tenaris Awards - 1st Place Projects - Intermediate Category
Enhancing Solar Panel Performance
Students: Vincent Mannarino, Perzan Umrigar, Somak Majundar, Intermediate (Grades 9 - 10)

Tenaris Awards - 1st Place Projects - Senior Category
Thermal Dynamics of Catalytic Decomposition
Student: Lennon Turco, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Benjamin Cohen Memorial Trophy - Third Place, Best of Fair
How does the Purity of Ethanol affect Flashpoint?
Student: Jonah Santa Maria, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Tenaris Award - Second Place, Best of Fair
What is the effect of different concentrations of different concentrations of orlistat on the rate of hydrolysis of lipids
Student: Anirudh Gupta, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie Award of Excellence - First Place, Best of Fair
Thermal Dynamics of Catalytic Decomposition
Student: Lennon Turco, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

HealthGear Medical Health and Safety Award - Health and Safety Award
How do different concentrations of beet juice mixed with NaCl affect the volume of melted water when added to an ice cube?
Student: Tia Park-Lee, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

SDS Award - Excellence in Mathematics
What is the effect of different concentrations of different concentrations of orlistat on the rate of hydrolysis of lipids
Student: Anirudh Gupta, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Algoma Computer Science Award - Computer Science Award
Enhancing Solar Panel Performance
Students: Vincent Mannarino, Perzan Umrigar, Somak Majundar, Intermediate (Grades 9 - 10)

Sault Naturalist Green Awards (1) - Most Green Award
Fertilizer, its Effects on Barley
Student: Kassandra Ranni, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Sault Naturalist Green Awards (2) - Most Green Award
Like'n the Lichen
Student: Ellery Bowman, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Innovative Use of Robotics - Best robotics project
Bionics: The Future of Prosthetics
Students: Mumeeba Rashid, Iliana Rutland, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Sanofi Biogenius Canada Award - Outstanding project related to biotechnology or life sciences
The Effect of Extended Exhale on Heart Rate Variability
Student: Kaylie Precepa, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Excellence in Engineering Awards (1) - Best engineering project
Harvesting Energy from Sound Waves
Student: Andres Rausseo Baron, Junior (Grades 7 - 8)

Excellence in Engineering Awards (2) - Best engineering project
Enhancing Solar Panel Performance
Students: Vincent Mannarino, Perzan Umrigar, Somak Majundar, Intermediate (Grades 9 - 10)

Most Deserving Senior Project - $1,000 Scholarship - Algoma University
How do differing durations of ultraviolet light exposure affect the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in reaction with solid manganese dioxide?
Student: Liam Perkins, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Most Deserving Senior Project - Biology - $1,000 Scholarship - Algoma University (Biology/Environment programs)
Like'n the Lichen
Student: Ellery Bowman, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Most Deserving Senior Project - Comp Sci - $1,000 Scholarship - Algoma University (Computer Science program)
How do different concentrations of bleach affect the rate of reaction when reacted with blue food dye?
Student: Aidan Naccarato, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Most Deserving Senior Project - $1,000 Scholarship - University of Ottawa (Science, Engineering, or Health Science)
What is the effect of different concentrations of different concentrations of orlistat on the rate of hydrolysis of lipids
Student: Anirudh Gupta, Senior (Grades 11 - 12)

Algoma University generously provided the use of the George Leach Centre for the event, in addition to three prize scholarships for senior students. "It is wonderful to once again host the Rotary Algoma STEM Fair on the campus of Algoma University. At Algoma U, we understand the importance and support STEM education as it benefits students and the community — it is the key to unlocking endless possibilities," shared David Marasco, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships. "This annual event fosters cross-cultural learning and community collaboration. These young minds will lead the charge for a brighter future right here in our communities and beyond - it is more than an event; it is a catalyst for positive change while showcasing innovation and technology."

The Rotary Club of Sault Ste Marie is proud to be sponsoring four students to represent Algoma at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa from May 25 to June 1: Ellery Bowman, Anirudh Gupta, Jonah Santa Maria, and Lennon Turco. All four students are in Grade 12 at Korah Collegiate & Vocational School. Hosted annually by Youth Science Canada, Canada-Wide Science Fair brings together the nation’s brightest young minds, celebrating their passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and innovation. Over 150 regional STEM fair finalists are expected to compete.