Fourth Annual Freedom Area High School’s Science Conference
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the conference will be online this year. The presentations will be pre-recorded for early viewing, with the live portion on May 7, 2020 for questions, interviews, and socializing.
Introductory Remarks
Dr. Brian M. Wargo presents the introductory remarks for the 4th Annual Freedom Area Science Conference held online (2020). Evaluation
Schedule
Keynote
Ryan Kaufman is the one of the founding members of the Freedom Area High School Physics Club, serving as the first Vice-President, and delivering some of the most memorable talks during his tenure. As an alumnus, Kaufman has presented at every Freedom Area High School Science conference, again being a favorite of the student body with his stimulating talks that bridge science and mathematics at a high level, but understandable by all.
Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. At first, he focused mainly on formal math and theoretical physics, however, he shifted gears and delved into electronics and optical engineering, becoming a skilled experimentalist.
After graduating, he decided to stay at Pitt and pursue a PhD in condensed matter physics. Ryan Kaufman is specializing in quantum information processing via superconducting circuits while pursuing candidacy in the doctoral program.
Ryan is one of Freedom Area High School’s great intellects. While many slow down their learning after achieving their degree, Ryan continues to impress with his ever-expanding repertoire of mathematical knowledge, his understanding of nature, and his scientific practices.
Abstract: Quantum computers are often alluded to in an ethereal sense as the next generation of computing, with claims that they will revolutionize fields far and wide in physics, biology, finance, medicine, and more. In this crash course in quantum engineering, I will walk through what it is actually like to try to piece one of these machines together in the real world. Along the way I will focus on what exactly a qubit is, and how my peers and I build the amplifiers needed to efficiently measure quantum states.
2020 Presentations
Biking Shifting with Physics - Josh Pail - Physics I
All bikers have to shift gears, but do all bikers shift in a professional manner? This project examines the difference between gear sizes and gear ratios. More importantly, this analysis shows the importance of gear sequencing. Evaluation
Zip-Line and Weight - Emily Ostrowski - Physics I
With zip-lines gaining popularity, a common question is “does how much I weigh affect my speed.” My long term tests this question. To test this, I designed a scale model of a zip-line in my house. The results are surprising! Details will be presented at the conference. Evaluate
Hardness of Mallets with Xylophones - Josiah Dubovi - Physics II
How does Mallet Surface Hardness Affect the Sound Produced? In this experiment, I compared the sound produced by different types of xylophone mallets using spectrogram graphs. This allowed me to see all of the audio frequencies produced by the xylophone and determine why different mallets cause different sounds. Evaluation
Roundabout Efficiency - Braeden Geibel - Physics I
Roundabouts are used to help with traffic flow. In this study, wooden blocks and toy cars simulate different roundabout configurations. In particular, I investigate how the number of lanes in a roundabout influences travel times for various exits for the vehicles. Evaluation
PHD Year 1: Materials Science - Andrew Baker - Alumnus - B.S. in Physics from Clarion University, Ph.D. student studying Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh
What is a PHD really like? Andrew Baker documents his path from a physics student at Freedom to a PHD candidate at the University of Pittsburgh. This presentation details some of the research Andrew is part of as well as some of the fundamental techniques of Materials Science. Evaluate
Water Splash and Weapons - Hunter Black - Physics I
Security cameras are everywhere and may pick-up guns that are tossed into water. My long-term attempts to find a correlation between the heights of a water splash with the mass of an object when it is dropped into a body of water. The hope is to be able to link gun violence with perpetrators in an effort to help law enforcement. Evaluation
Quantifying Perspective of Photographs - Casey Collins - Physics I
Photographs not only capture reality, but also distort it. Despite the advances in technology, perspective remains an important aspect of portraying subjects. In this investigation, I model perspective in an effort to quantify it. Evaluation
Sentence Structures - Josiah Dubovi - Physics III
A Statistical Analysis of Sentence Structure and Frequency of Conjunctions. In this long term, I gathered large amounts of data from books and other works of literature to find common patterns in sentence structure. I used this data to answer several questions and I used various methods to express the data clearly. Evaluation
Football Grip - Cole Beck - Physics I
Football is the most popular sport in America and the quarterback is the most popular player. Everyone has an opinion concerning how to throw a football. This study tests which grip will is the most accurate and which throws the farthest. Evaluation
Drug & Vaccine Discovery as Related To COVID-19 - Jordan Kester, PharmD - Alumnus Presenter - Degrees from University of Pittsburgh - Residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
The current coronavirus is impacting the world in an unprecedented manner, yet most people remain confused about potential treatments. This presentation provides the basic information concerning how potential cures and vaccines are vetted through medical and scientific practices. Evaluation
Prime Number Computation - Mark Fessides - Physics I
Prime numbers are a great way to challenge your computer science skills. In this study, I used an algorithm to generate a key using up to 30,000 prime numbers. The analysis involved computational timing to see how long it took for the computer to execute the code. The results show a threshold where prime numbers take a significant amount of time to execute. Evaluate
Project Nerf - Theo Ging-Wargo - 4th Grade Science
Shooting harmless foam darts at people is fun. In this long term I test if you have a longer barrel on a nerf gun will it help the distance? This is important for people who use real guns like a sniper in the military. Evaluation
JFK Assassination - Tyler Borgman - Physics II
The JFK assassination was a pivotal moment in history. The odd motion of JFK’s head after the bullet hit has led to questions and investigations for years. A curious question is how does the bullet angle affect head movement? Pellets were fired from different angles and then the angle of the movement of a simulated head (ball) was measured to try and answer this question. Evaluation
Paper Air Planes - David Campbell - Physics I
Every one enjoys paper airplanes, but very few people test their flights. In this study Investigated how mass affects the distance of the flight. My results show that there is a sweet spot. Evaluation
Thermite - Dominic Wilfong - Physics II
Thermite is used both for welding, and pure destruction in the military. This investigation was focused on the amount of sheet metal melted by using different amounts of the two core chemicals in a thermite reaction; iron oxide and aluminum powder. Evaluation
Light Exposure - Julie Hawk - Physical Science
Photography is a hobby, an occupation, and a nice pastime. In this study, the expose of light and its effect are compared using a SLR camera. This will help amateur photographers enhance their photos and understand the science behind the f-stop. Evaluation
Bench Grip vs. Reps - Brett Boyd - Physics I
Lots of people make claims about exercise techniques. My investigations reveals the difficulty in conducting such research, making me skeptical of such claims. This long term will show you my trials and errors of my multiple studies. Evaluation
Softball Glove Force - Tara Speicher - Physics I
Every softball player knows that the amount of padding in a glove varies. My investigation models this force by using layers of neoprene to simulate the human hand/glove interface. The results show a surprising relationship between thickness and force. Other anomalies will also be discussed. Evaluation
Laser Projection - Carter Huggins - Physics I
Laser shows are a popular form of entertainment. My investigation tries to correlate angle of the laser vs. shape. The surprising conclusions will allow technicians to better create techniques for laser projection shows. Evaluation
Heating Salt Water - Conner McGee - Physical Science
Anybody who cooks encounters the problem of determining how the amount of salt affects the time it takes to boil. This study does just that! The results will help determine how much wait time you have before you eat.
Imaging Through a Magnifying Glass - Bailey Roberts - Physics III
When looking at light through a magnifying glass there are factors that affect the image seen. In this experiment, I found how distance and angle affect what the shape of the light is through the magnifying glass. I also experiment with the uncertainty of the light's shape when angle and distance are used. Evaluation
Fruit Dehydration Rates - Cade Skuse - Physics II
Dehydrated fruit is a healthy way of eating, as well as a good way of preserving fruits. In this study, I test four of the most popular fruits and see how time and temperature affect the rate of dehydration. The results demonstrate a surprising rate of variation. Evaluation
The Strength of Hot Metal - Bryson Deal - 6th Grade Science
Blacksmiths bend metal by using heat. This project studies the impact of repeated heating and bending cycles on the strength of rebar. After multiple tests using a torch, I am able to confidently make a conclusion. Watch this presentation to see the results. Evaluation
Eye Dilation with LED's - Cole Skuse - Physics III
In our everyday lives, we move from different levels of light, which causes our eyes to dilate. This long-term explores the correlation between different colors and intensities of light to the time it takes for our eyes to dilate. Evaluation
Amount of Light Permeated - Baylee Stewart - Physics II
Glass is one of the few objects that is transparent. However, when the light is shone at different angles, how does it affect this transparency? This long-term measures light transmission through different shaped media. Evaluation
Backtracking Optimizations for Sudoku Puzzles - Logan Richards - Physics III
Backtracking is a type of algorithm used within the field of Computer Science. One use of the backtracking algorithm is solving Sudoku puzzles. My long term attempts to compare two optimizations to the backtracking algorithm using a large number of these puzzles. Evaluation
Skyglow - Jay Hessler - Physics I
Light pollution can obscure the night stars and make stargazing difficult. In this astronomy project, I will calibrate a digital camera in order to measure the skyglow at different locations, thus increasing the photographer’s capabilities when using a simple digital camera. Evaluation
Effects of Temperature on Cohesion - Erin Harp - Physics I
Every day, people encounter the cohesive forces of water as it sticks to your car windows, water bottles, and in the use of paper towels. In this study, I planned on determining how temperature changed the cohesive force of water. However, controlling extraneous variables was more difficult than anticipated (especially outside of a laboratory setting). These issues will be discussed in detail. Evaluation
Milk, Water, and the Singing Voice - Mason Hedge - Physics III
Most singers are advised to not drink any milk or milk products before a show. They are also told to drink water frequently for a performance. This experiment shows how both water and milk affects your singing voice. We will also see how the temperature of a certain drink will affect your voice. Evaluation
Laser Through A Tube - Madison Lewis - Physics II
When a laser shines onto glass, interesting patterns are created. My long term tests how distances and angles affect the patterns produced. The resulting displays will be presented. Evaluation
Heat Damaged Hair - Alexis Surenda - Physics II
Females tend to apply a huge amount of heat to their hair constantly; whether they are trying to curl it, blow dry it, or straighten it. In this experiment, I use multiple conditioners to compare how effective they are against heat conditions. This helps females to figure out what the best products are to use on their hair to protect it from heat. Evaluation
Preheating for Weld Strength - Ryan Jones - Physics I
Welders are always concerned with penetration into the base metal while welding. The depth is the structural integrity of a weld. For my long term I am testing to see if pre-heating will affect the depth of penetration of a weld. Evaluation
Soccer Ball Rotation - Joe Hartle - Physics I
In soccer, there are many ways to kick a ball. One way is by curling the ball to get it around the wall of defending players and into the goal on a free kick. In this test, we will learn how the amount of rotation on the ball affects the horizontal distance traveled. Evaluate
Heat Flow in Water and Solids - Bailey Roberts - Physics III
All states of matter conduct heat, but measuring how that heat flows is tricky. Tracking the patterns when heating both water and solids requires some ingenuity. In this long-term, I will attempt to find these patterns and display them in ways where they can easily be seen. Evaluate
Cricket Sociobiology - Maxwell Ujhazy - Physics III
Leaders are individuals we aspire to become. In my long-term, I compare and contrast leaders vs. non-leaders amongst crickets based on their social and physical tendencies. This exploratory study aims to help explain similar qualities in humans. Evaluation
Carts, Visitors, and Weather - Sam Bozza - Physical Science
Sunny weather brings out the customers...or so I have been told. In this long-term, I test to see how many customers visit the store by counting the number of carts I take from the coral to the holding bay. Results will be analyzed.
Influence of Symmetry in Facial Attraction - Ashley Imhoff - Physics I
Teenagers love to stare at people, especially attractive people. On the surface, attraction is just the concept of being drawn to people that are visually pleasing, but is there more to it than that. In this study, I test to see if there is a correlation between facial symmetry and attraction and my results show there might just be. Evaluation
Testing Flair Equine Nasal Strips - Alexa Davis - 8th Grade Science
Flair claims that their nasal strips allow horses to breathe easier. I test to see how efficient the product is for walking, trotting, cantering, and galloping. The results are examined in this presentation. Evaluation
Fatigue and Shot Velocity - Adam Hessler - Physics II
Athletes constantly contend with fatigue, but how does this influence their performance? For example, in soccer and hockey, a post-game shootout occurs when athletes are the most exhausted. This long-term investigates the nature of post-game shootouts, I delve into how physical fatigue affects the performance of different athletes. Evaluate
Gunpowder and Bullet Speed - Reiker Welling - Physics I
For my long term, I test how the number of grains affects the speed of the bullet. Changing the amount of grains in a shell casing will affect the speed of a bullet. The proper amount of grains in the bullet will make it most efficient. Evaluation
Environmental Lab Analyst - Kayleigh Roberts - Freedom Alumna - B.S. Biology (Minor in Chemistry), 2018 - Robert Morris University
Kayleigh is working as an environmental lab analyst at Microbac Labs. In this presentation, she shares her on-the-job-experiences and documents the various techniques and equipment she uses on a daily basis. Evaluation
Wing Profile and Lift - Baylee Stewart - Physics III
Air travel is a significant portion of all transportation and the airfoil makes it possible. My long-term examines how wing shape and cross sectional height affects the lift. I model this using multiple shapes and heights and measure the lift using a wind-tunnel. Results will be analyzed during the presentation. Evaluation
Basketball Shot Distance - Thomas Young - Physical Science
In basketball, you get more points from a “three” in basketball, but can you make them? In this long-term, I tested the field goal percentage of shots I make from various distances.Results will be compared between two people, averaged out, and shot quality is tested.
Soccer Ball Hit - Caleb Falk - Physics I
As a soccer player I wondered if more mass would move a ball further. In my long term, I tested the mass of a swinging object versus the distance a soccer ball travels. Evaluation
Antenna Theory - Bryan Hill - Physics II
Wireless technology rules our lives, and for many, it is a necessity. Antenna pick up transmitted signals in order to process information sent from device to device. I experiment with temperature to discover how it affects the signal that is passing through the antenna. Is temperature a factor in the complex world of wireless transmissions? Watch the presentation to find out. Evaluation
Ice Cream Freezing - Jake Bauman - Physical Science
Everyone loves ice cream because of its sugar content. In this long term, I tested the freeze time for various concentrations of sugar. The results will be presented, including the surprisingly long time it took to make ice cream.
Static Guard vs. Fur - Jalynn Falk - Physics II
Static Guard is a household item to relieve the clinginess of clothing due to static, however in this experiment, I tested to see how increasing amounts of static guard on fabric affected the amount of animal fur that would be grasped by the material. Evaluate
Stitch Pattern Strength - Meadow Ging-Wargo - 6th Grade Science
Stitch strength is how sewers' (pronounced SOH-ers) define quality. In this project, the strength of stitches for various patterns are tested. This is tested by adding weight until the stitches snap. The results are surprising. Evaluation
Seed dispersal of the Eastern Red Cedar - Katie Shvach - Alumna - B.S. Zoology, Masters Student studying Ecology at Kent State University
The Eastern Red Cedar has been encroaching into new habitats in the United States. My project focuses on the animals that disperse its seeds and the potential distance they can travel. Evaluation
Sound Deadening - Keith Pawlowski - Physics II
In a recording studio or even a classroom, background noise can be problematic. However, professional sound deadening solutions can get very expensive. My long term attempts to test ways to make sound-deadening wall panels with household items. Evaluate
Alex Illig - Physics I Long-term - Does the Diameter of an Arrow Effect Penetration
I chose to test arrow penetration because I am an avid hunter and wanted to know if the diameter of an arrow matters for penetration. I feel people should watch my video because it is very helpful and interesting if they are a hunter. Evaluation
Roof Pitch and Shingles - Luke Ippolito - Physical Science
In this experiment we will be challenging the idea that the higher the pitch of a roof the more shingles will be needed to cover the roof. This experiment uses both math and science to determine if the predicted and the actual shingle numbers are similar.
Computer Chunking Tasks - Sean Galderisi - Physics II
Computer scientists all want to make the fastest code. This is because the faster code runs, the more money companies can make. Chunking could be a step towards faster computing. My long-term tests to see if splitting-up tasks into smaller ones makes code run faster.
Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - Alexis Halvin - Alumna - Presidential Scholarship Awardee at CCBC - Biological Science - Attending Clarion University
PCR is a method for replicating segments of RNA or DNA. This technique is now standard practice for most biological labs. This presentation will help demonstrate the process from start to finish. Applications of the method are described, including informing our understanding of the Covid-19 virus.
Nail Configuration and Strength - Joey Leasha - Physical Science
Everyone uses nails to hold up valuable items including expensive art, family portraits, and decorations. Knowing how much a nail can hold is important for safety and protecting your investment. Using weights and nails, I test their strength.
Temperature and Pain with Paintball - Thomas Supe - Physics I
The image shows the wonder of nature! Photo by Brian M. Wargo