Tag Archive for: science fair

Each year, hundreds of students in middle and high schools throughout San Diego County participate in the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair at Balboa Park. Photo: Water Authority

Future Water Leaders Shine at 2024 Science and Engineering Fair

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The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on April 26 honored six star students for top-tier water projects in the 2024 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. The awards are part of the agency’s effort to inspire young people to solve water-related challenges and pursue water industry careers.

This year’s middle school and high school science and engineering projects displayed a wide range of innovative solutions to real world water problems. They were each honored with a plaque and a scholarship ranging from $100 to $300.

In the senior division, Lilian Zeng won first place by tackling a widespread, emerging issue – “forever chemicals” such as PFAs in drinking water.  The tenth grader from Del Norte High School was inspired by her research on using naturally occurring substances and life forms — like active carbon and white rot fungi — to help mitigate issues caused by synthetic chemicals.

Leaning into new technology to solve existing problems

Sanya Kapoor, also a sophomore from Del Norte High School, captured second place in the senior division. She designed a machine learning algorithm that can optimize energy consumption at wastewater treatment and desalination plants.

Malik Mansour, a freshman at Bright Horizon Academy, secured third place in the senior division with his creation of a solar powered robot that cleans debris from rivers and other bodies of water.

Middle school students look for solutions to benefit the world

Middle school students like Aminah Siddiqui displayed their forward-thinking science and engineering knowledge and skills at this year’s event. Photo: Water Authority

In the junior division, eighth grader Aminah Siddiqui from Bright Horizon Academy won first place with her development of a water filtration system that can be used in developing countries, where resources and funding may be difficult to find. Aminah explained that her travels and personal experiences inspired her to look for solutions that could benefit underserved communities around the world.

Virginia Zhu, an eighth grader from Oak Valley Middle School, won second place in the junior division by designing and building an electronic smart watering system. Virginia’s idea came from her observations of her own garden as well as agricultural challenges throughout the state.

Emilio Castaneda Martinez, an eighth grader from Chula Vista Middle School, won third place in the junior division with his project that displayed data and solutions for tracking and filtering total dissolved solids in drinking water throughout San Diego County.

Inspiring the next generation of water professionals

Thousands of people across all levels of educational attainment work at the Water Authority and its 23 member agencies to provide safe and reliable water supplies to the region. Engineers, environmental scientists, system operators, maintenance technicians, customer service representatives, and utility workers are just some of the many careers available in the water industry.

As water agencies look for the next generation of industry professionals and leaders, participating in events such as the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair helps current water professionals connect with students who may be interested in joining the water workforce.

 

A student at the science fair showcases her project board. Innovation-technology

Students Showcase Innovation in Water Technology

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Middle and high school students from San Diego and Imperial counties showcased their creativity and innovation in water technology at the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair.

Winning students at the March event presented multi-faceted water technology designed for use in agriculture, water conservation, safety and treatment, creating solutions to some of the San Diego region’s most pressing water issues.

For decades, the San Diego County Water Authority has partnered with the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair to inspire students to pursue water industry careers and experiment with sustainable water designs.

High school students invent next-generation water technology

Kyle Tianshi and Sarah Gao tied for first place in the senior division for their development of water purifying technologies. Tianshi, an eleventh grader at The Cambridge School, focused on water pollutant identification through light scattering. Tianshi said the project used fluorescent emissions and lasers to detect microplastics in drinking water.

Gao’s work with wastewater treatment experimented with plant seeds as flocculants for water purification. A Canyon Crest Academy sophomore, Gao was also named an ISEF finalist for her work and will compete in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas, Texas in May.

Srija Sengupta from Westview High School took home the second-place senior award for her project, “Good on Land and Bad in Water: Effects of Fertilizer-Rich Runoff on Algal Growth.” Sengupta’s research tested the effects of fertilizer runoff in Dixon Lake and the subsequent impact on marine life, finding that phosphorous-rich fertilizers contributed the most to algae growth.

Middle school students ‘wow’ with work in water technology

In the junior division, Ryan Richardson was awarded first place for his automatic faucet invention. When tested, Richardson’s faucet was found to save more than 50% of water in a household of four, prioritizing water conservation. He is already pursuing a patent for his invention.

From Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School, seventh graders Joaquin Revilla Harker and Tyler Rowe earned the second-place junior division title. Harker and Rowe’s research tested the growth capabilities of different water on grass, finding that gray water was the most suitable for growth, which can help conserve drinking water.

Caleb Raagas, who is also a seventh grader at Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School, was awarded the junior division’s third place award for his research on the effects of salinity levels on the production of hydroelectricity.

“This year’s winners all developed projects that address or could help solve a critical issue related to water, such as water quality, water supply management, and water purification,” said Sami Sweis, Engineer P.E. at the Water Authority. “Our industry needs bright young people like these students to use cutting-edge technology and innovation to help maintain safe and reliable water supplies for generations to come.”

Welcoming future environmental innovators

There are more than 2,800 professionals in the water and wastewater industry in San Diego County, who work hard to provide safe and reliable water supplies to the region. The Water Authority’s continued partnerships with the community work to guarantee a future of opportunity for students interested in being a part of this industry.

Students-Student displays science and engineering fair project

San Diego County Students Innovate to Solve Water Challenges

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In March, Water Authority staff judged water-related projects by students at the 67th annual Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. Judging the fair is a longstanding tradition at the Water Authority and a component of the education outreach program. For decades, the Water Authority has recognized the top water-related projects with a scholarship and award. This year’s fair was conducted in a virtual format, but more than 280 students still brought their best projects to the table.

Each student who was interviewed by Water Authority staff demonstrated a strong knowledge of the scientific process, as well as an awareness of big picture issues that are important in the water industry and beyond. Five winners were selected, and each will receive a gift card and plaque. Water Authority staff also showcased a video of the five winners and their outstanding projects at the April San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors meeting.

Students present top water-related projects

Forward-thinking students solve global and everyday water issues

In the senior division, first place winner Bella Rose Schremmer designed a piston-buoy rack and pinion wave energy converter device. The 10th grader from University City High School said she was inspired by the kinetic energy formed by ocean waves, and she wanted to create a project that could capture that energy as a renewable energy source to replace the burning of fossil fuels. Bella Rose attributed part of her success in this project to her father, who supported her by procuring materials and providing encouragement, and to her teacher and mentor, Mrs. Bosch, who guided her through the process.

In second place, Suvali Sengupta created a biodegradable microporous polymer that was designed to help soil water retention in an agricultural setting. The 11th grader from Westview High School shared that her inspiration came from her Indian heritage and the drought conditions that India’s farmers struggle with each year.

Saltwater desalination, water purification, water conservation

In the junior division, Kristine Talaga from St. Gregory the Great Catholic School won first place with her project on saltwater desalination. The 7th grader designed a project to test the effects of different colored backgrounds – black, white or foil – on containers containing salt water and how quickly heat could desalinate the water in each container.

Samantha Rivera, an 8th grader from Chula Vista Middle School, claimed second place with her project about which methods of water purification removed the most dissolved solids.

In third place, 8th grader Sonria Rheiglene Simanski, also representing Chula Vista Middle School, tracked how much water is wasted when waiting for the shower to warm up, determining the best times of day to shower for optimal water-use efficiency.