The 2021 Science Conference will be an In-Person Event
COVID-19 shut-down the schooling system during the last third of the 2019-2020 school year and the 2020 Science Conference was a virtual event. During the 2020-2021 school year, students completed their long-term projects at home, having only a few weeks of in-person instruction all year. They will, however, be physically in the building for this years conference.
Keynote Speaker - Craig A. Lehocky
Craig Lehocky and Paisley - Craig is the Keynote for the 2021 Freedom Area High School Science Conference.
Craig A. Lehocky
Craig Lehocky holds the unofficial title for longest academic transcript to have been produced by a Freedom Area High School alumnus. Upon graduating from FAHS in 2004, Craig attended the University of Pittsburgh to study Bioengineering. Along the way, he also picked up a degree in Neuroscience. While in high school, Craig soaked up all of the math and science courses he could find. He attributes the dedication of the teachers at FAHS as well as his experience at the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences as foundational toward his lifetime passion in engineering and the sciences.
After stints in academia to advance the understanding of neural sensorimotor control, and developing a novel flexible robot that can travel within the brain, Craig is now a robotics and automation engineer with Caterpillar, developing artificial intelligence for the next generation of machinery.
A note about Craig Lehocky from his Physics Teacher (BMW)
Craig Lehocky has one of the most interesting and diverse paths in academia. Following him is like following a single molecule of a gas filled balloon. Since entering university, Craig has been a researcher, working in primatology, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, robotics, cancer research, biotechnology, and surgical robotics. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Bioengineering and a B.S. in Neuroscience…and after turning down a stint at Cambridge…and trying to go for a Ph.D. and M.D. simultaneously…Craig decided to settle down and get a typical Pittsburgh job…as a robotics engineer.
Craig Lehocky has won numerous awards, functioned as a lecturer, a peer mentor for new scientists, has numerous scientific publications, held officer positions in scientific organizations, and most importantly, presented his own long-term project at Freedom Area High School back in 2004 as…a rap duet…in Spanish. Craig Lehocky might just be the most interesting man that Freedom Area High School has ever produced!
Click here to review one of Craig Lehocky’s many publications. This one is pertinent to a few of the long-terms this year that deal with needles.
2021 Student Presentations
RENAE MOHRBACHER - How Temperature Affects the Bounce of a Soccer Ball - Physics 1
Most athletes who compete using an inflatable ball assume that it will stay the same throughout the entire game, yet they do not take into consideration the temperature applied. During my long term I tested how the temperature would affect the soccer ball’s bounce and learned that it may have a bigger impact than originally thought.
LUKE SNAVELY - Soccer Headers' Effects on the Brain - Physics 1
Heading soccer balls is ubiquitous in soccer, but just how do headers really affect the brain? Using a watermelon, this investigation aims to accurately measure the amount of horizontal and vertical rattling time of the brain after heading a soccer ball, as well as the initial impact. The presentation also dives into neck rigidness and its effects on the brain.
DOMINIC WILFONG - How Inner Surface Area Affects the Acceleration of a Projectile - Physics III
The inside of a projectile is often overlooked when testing velocities. Most projectiles are accelerated using some sort of pressurized gas from behind and when dealing with pressure, we deal with surface area. This raised the question about accelerating the projectile and how surface area will change that. The results surprised me.
JESSICA MAJORS - How Weight and Displacement Affects the Rotation of a Baton Spin - Physics 1
Most baton twirlers use a regular-sized baton (25in-30in length) when beginning and do not consider the different options to choose from when it comes to the twirler's individual style. Depending on the twirler's skill level, the length of the baton has always been a key factor the individual looks at, but another key factor that most baton companies overlook is the weight of the baton and where the weight is being distributed on the baton. During my long-term, I tested how weight and displacement would affect the rotation of a baton spin.
JOSHUA YECK - How Does Temperature Effect How High Different Balls Bounce? - Physics 1
Most athletes who play sports know that when it is colder the ball does not travel as far. My long term is about how different temperatures effect how high balls bounce. I did my experiment on baseballs, softballs, and golf balls. I first thought that hard balls would not really matter the temperature but after testing it out I was proven wrong.
BRANDI BONZO - How Much Torque Can Different Socket Adapters Handle? - Physics 1
There have been so many instances where I hear my dad and brothers complaining about how they broke another socket adapter, so I conducted this experiment to solve their problems. However, as the testing progressed, my focus changed towards bolts due to the amount of materials purposely being broken. In my presentation I was able to find out the pattern in bolt strength, molecular structure change and the way they handle heat.
AUSTIN TOKAR - How Length of Fishing Line Affects the Distance the Weight Can be Casted - Physics 1
Many people who start out fishing don't exactly know how to cast. Even some of those who are experienced don't know the best way to get maximum distance. There are many circumstances that come into play whenever you are casting your bait. In my long term I focused on how the length of the line from the rod tip to the weight affected how far the weight would fly. During these tests I found out that the results are a lot different than I thought they would be.
BRAEDEN GEIBEL - String to Frequency on Guitar Correlation - Physics 2
Ever look at a guitar and ask how does it even work? Or maybe why do the little lines on the long part get closer together? In this long-term, I go into how those lines work and the correlation between the distance of the lines (called Frets) and the frequency (or note) that is played.
MADISON FESSIDES - How Length of a Bone Affects the Amount of Curvature Before Breaking - Physics 1
Have you ever wondered how the length of your bone was going to affect how easy it breaks? However, what about how length is going to affect how much curvature a bone will have before it breaks? For my long-term I started using sticks to measure how much curve they were going to have because a stick has similarities to a bone. Eventually, I moved over to using wooden pencils because I needed something with the dame diameter and 0 curvature. Through this, I was able to find if there was going to be a correlation between length and curvature.
JULIA MOHRBACHER - How the Weight and Air Pressure Affect the Duration of Time a Basketball Bounces - Physics 1
As a basketball player I knew from experience that when a basketball had less air in it that it wouldn't bounce for a long amount of time. So I wanted to know how big an effect of air pressure had on the basketballs bounce. You may think that just bouncing a ball is easy but there's a lot more work that goes into it than you think.
MADILYN IVEY - How the Density of Brush Bristles Affects the Length of a Paint Stroke - Physics 1
Most artists don't think about the science behind their paint brush. I wanted to know if the paintbrush is more dense, if it would make a longer paint stroke. I used toothpicks together and calculated their density. My theory of the more dense the longer the stroke proved to be true. It wasn't the most accurate representation of paint bristles, but it is the closest thing I have found. I have changed the idea multiple times and it became very frustrating, but in conclusion of it all, I have some good data-based information that could contribute to the art community.
MADISON RHOADES - How Does the Layering of Fibers Affect the Spread of the Sneeze? - Physics 1
In a pandemic it is important to know how effective masks are. In my experiment, I tested my home made masks to see how many particles would make it through. My home-made masks were made by putting different layers of string on top of each other to see how many particles would spread onto a sheet of paper. The different fibers are simulated by using the various layers of string. I will measure the spread by taking the radius of the most prominent area and use that to determine if the different fibers help stop more spread.
JESSICA SCHEEL - How Different Factors of Piercing the Skin Affects the Size and Condition of the Wound? - Physics 1
In life, one goes through many shots and other needles that are needed for health reasons. These needles are always sterilized. I wanted to see how the different substances used to sterilize the needle affected the wearing of skin as well as the tearing of the skin. I tested various substances and compared them to see which caused less of an effect.
TROY PAWLOWSKI - How Different Amounts of Heat Change a Wires' Deflection - Physics 1
Usually when you hang things off of wires, like decorations or weights, the wire should not bend or break. Some people might wonder, well what if the wire was changed physically? I think we all know that when metal is heated, it bends more. I wanted to test what would happen if I heated a wire to different temperatures to see how much a wire would bend from the weight of an object. I tested different amounts of time for a constant heat temperature on a small segment of a piece of wire.
OLIVIA EVANS - How a Grey Scale of Different Material Affects the Heat Absorption - Physics 1
Some have said that it is best to wear a lighter colored shirt and not a darker shirt when it is hot outside during the summer. They say that the darker shirt absorbs more heat and faster but is this really true? During my long term, I set up a few different tests to see how different materials with a grey scale absorb heat. I found out that all the result have a consistent answer.
TRENTON McCRAY - How the Draw Length Affects the Penetration and Velocity of an Arrow - Physics 1
All archers have their own personal set draw length, but many don't take the time to consider that the draw length that one has impact the way the arrow fly's, penetrates, accelerates through the air. during my testing of my long term I had conducted many tests on this very subject and concluded on how the draw length effects the penetration and acceleration of an arrow.
ERICA ROSA - How does the Holds of Hairspray Affect how a Curl Stays In- Erica Rosa- Physics 1
I wanted to test what the numbers on the hairspray cans really mean and if we are spending more money on different holds for a reason. I personally am one to always be doing my hair so I knew that doing this long-term could potentially save me money and also many others.
ANGEL CLINKSCALES - How the Amount of Yeast Affects the Rise of Bread Dough - Physics 1
When baking bread, the rise of your dough is a very important part. The main reason for this growth, is the amount of yeast that is added into the dough. In my long-term, I wanted to test how the amount of yeast added really affects how much the dough rises. I wanted to see if there was a significant difference or only a slight one.
MCKENNA BARRETT - How the Amount of Butter Added to Peanut Butter Cookies Affects the Spread - Physics 1
When baking, most of the time, people just follow a recipe and hope for a good outcome. I wanted to find out more about the chemical reactions that happen when all of these ingredients work together to make a cookie. I decided to use butter because I assumed that it would have the most drastic affects. I baked many different batches of cookies in order to conclude how much the spread was affected based on how much butter was added.
SARA MENGEL - Blood Absorption Within Gauze Pads - Physics 1
After getting my wisdom teeth removed a few months ago, I wondered how well the gauze I was given to control the bleeding really worked. Do more layers create a better absorption? Does the stretch of the gauze absorb more or less blood? I tested four different sizes of stretched gauze and four different layer amounts to see how much blood was able to be absorbed.
SARAH YECK - How does the Density of Cotton Balls Affect the Amount of Weight it can Hold? - Physics 1
This study will determine if foam pits are safe for children. The cotton balls act as the foam blocks and I will determine how much weight the certain number of cotton balls can handle while keeping the density of the bag the same.
THEO GING-WARGO – Modeling the Nucleus with a BB Gun - 5th Grade Science
This long-term models how we found the nucleus by shooting alpha particles at an atom. I got this idea when I was helping my dad build a particle accelerator. I am modeling that by using bbs shot from a bb gun as alpha particles and a golf ball as a nucleus. Wrapping-paper served as an indicator were the bbs ricocheted.
LEANNAH MESSENGER - How Does Boiling Time Affect the Spin Rate of an Egg? - Leannah Messenger - Physics 1
People boil eggs all of the time, and never give it a second thought. My experiment took boiling eggs a step further, as it sought to determine the change in the spin time of an egg, as well as the number of spins, based on its boiling time. From there the question was raised on how the yolk placement in the egg, will affect the spin, and how this plays a key factor in the spin of the egg.
CARTER HUGGINS - Golf Stance vs. Consistent Swing - Physics 2
Swinging a golf club is a complex athletic movement that has lots of variability. Using a technologically advanced interfacing system, this project tests variations of swings at different widths to determine optimal stance for the most consistent distance.
MATTHEW KELLER - Does Hand Placement Affect the Stiffness/Flexibility of a Hockey Stick? - Physics 1
Holding a hockey stick using different lengths between your hands uses lots of different moving parts. Using basic home materials, this project tests different hand placements using different lengths between two objects to determine the measuring of stiffness/flexibility in a hockey stick.
ZANE METZGAR - How Distance Affects Shot Percentage in Basketball? - Physics 1
As a basketball player, I knew that the further someone shot from the hoop, the harder it was to make the shot. I wanted to know if multiple people shot if their numbers would be similar. Shooting may look easy but there are many factors into being consistent.
ALEXIS SURENDA - Multi-variable Analysis of Sutures - Physics 3
Throughout the history of medicine, doctors/nurses use sutures (stitching) to close wounds. There are many different types of sutures. The type used depends on the severity of wound. It also depends on who is doing the sutures. This project investigates which is the strongest type of suture for the different wounds.
CARLY SCHOEDEL - How Salt Affects the Rate of Water Freezing - Physics 1
Everyone knows that salt melts ice. In the wintertime people lay salt down to melt the ice to prevent crashes on roads, but when it gets too cold the salt no longer melts the ice. It just freezes. How much does salt really affect the rate of freezing water? In my long term I tested how much salt affects the rate of freezing.
JACOB MILBERT - Does Number of Points Effect the Score of Deer - Physics 1
The scores of different deer vary based off the size but how much does it really matter? In my project I tested each different variable to deer antlers and the final scores then compared how much they matter
JOSIAH DUBOVI - Verifying Identities Using Taylor Series - Physics Club
Taylor Series can be used to approximate a function with an infinite polynomial. I will use various methods of manipulating Taylor Series to verify common identities, such as Euler's Identity, Trigonometric Identities, and Rules of Differentiation. The aim of this project is to find patterns between similar formulas and examine the accuracy of the approximations.
COURTNEY GRUNNAGLE - How Acetone Affects the Durability of Latex - Physics 1
Medical field workers are always wearing gloves with every patient they see. A large percentage of the gloves they wear are made of latex. In my project I tested the durability of latex when coming into contact with acetone overtime. Are latex gloves potentially spreading infections they are supposed to be preventing?
ERIN MEYER - How Placement of Mass Affects the Stability of an Inverted Pendulum, and How this Phenomena Translates to Architecture and Construction - Physics II
Pendulums are structures present all around us in our everyday lives, but how do their distributions of mass affect their function? In my long-term, I explored the effects of mass placement on the balance of a pendulum, and what affects this induced. I also experimented with how this affects a structure's ability to withstand forces.
JACOB HARP – Tipping Christmas Trees - Physics II
Homes are busy during Christmas, and Christmas trees could tip over for many reasons. In this long-term I performed experiments to figure out the most stable base of a Christmas tree.
ALEXIS RINERE - How Household Chemicals Affect Plant Growth? - Physics 1
Household cleaning chemicals are in the air and through our environment. In my experiment, I determine how one such chemical affects our plants. I study the mass, height, and root length.
Cafe 116 – Coffee for Thought: How the Time of Year Plays a Role in Coffee/Cookie Sales
Coffee is always a good idea, but does the time of year play a role in our sales? Our class will examine how the number of orders has varied over the school year and determine what factors have caused a rise or fall in the number of Friday orders.
IAN EVANS - How Does Water Affect Soundproofing? - Physics 1
Water amplifies the sound waves while dense materials like cloth and foam block sound. So, what happens when soundproofing materials get wet? How does it affect the soundproofing? In this experiment I test that, seeing how different amounts of water affect the amount of sound that escapes a soundproof container.
CALEB FALK - How the Dent of a Can Affects its Strength - Physics 2
Denting an aluminum can helps in its crushing, something that is necessary to efficiently transport the cans to the recycler. But how does the size of the dent effect the crush? I build a can crusher and a method for denting to see how their strength is affected.
TAYLOR KRIGER - How the Number of Coils Effects an Electromagnet - Physics 1
Electromagnets are used in many people daily lives, from charging your phone to precise solenoids in complex machinery. I tested whether having more coils in an electromagnet affects its strength. My results showed that the number coil does in fact affect the strength of the magnetic field. Through this project a few other aspects of electromagnets were discovered.
AUDREY LAWRENCE - How the Thickness of Arm Sleeves Affect the Amount of Force Being Applied to Forearms - Physics 1
Volleyball players may choose to wear arm sleeves because they provide an extra layer of protection for their forearms. I test how layering of sleeve material effects the force being exerted on the forearms by creating a model of blood vessels. My results show that there are ways of decreasing blood vessel breaks that result in bruising.
AUDREY MOONEY - Cat Reaction Times with Various Sound Frequencies - 6th Grade Science
I love cats and I play with them all the time. I noticed when my dad would smash a can all of my cats would run away. In this experiment I test different frequencies and the cats' reaction time.
SEAN GALDERISI - How the Resistance of a Transistor Changes as the Heat Increases? - Physics 3
Transistors are everywhere from your smartphone to NASA computers. They work differently from the classical model of Ohm’s law due to being a quantum mechanical device. My investigation seeks to understand how the resistance of a transistor will change as they heat up.
ELIZABETH MOONEY - How Weather Conditions Affect Bird Traffic at My Feeder - 6th Grade
Birds are so majestic and beautiful, so I really wanted to do a project about them. Since I have a bird feeder in my yard, and I noticed that a bunch of different birds would come on different days, I wanted to do something with that data. My long-term is about weather and the different birds that come.
LUCAS EVANS - How Layering and Offset Affects the Strength of a Lego Bridge - 6th Grade
Legos are very strong and durable. I know this because I have stepped on a few of them and they either cracked or hurt my foot because they are so strong. I tested the strength of a lego bridge by varying the offset and the layers, measuring the weight it could hold. The results are quite shattering.
JOE HARTLE - How does the surface area and volume ratio affect the burn time of a pine branch? - Physics 2
Every year about 100 houses burn down because of Christmas trees catching fire. In my long-term I test different variables including surface area and volume to see the effect on the burn time.
NATHAN DINARDO - How the penetration of an arrow changes with surface area? - Physics 1
Hunting requires the most penetration you can get. In my long-term I test different surface areas and bow weights on how it affects penetration of an arrow. My end results turned out to be a little misleading, but they are still beneficial.
DAMIAN GRUNNAGLE - How Does the Weight of an Arrow Affect the Penetration - Physics 1
When hunting arrow speed and penetration is a big deal. In my long-term I tested the penetration of an arrow of different weights to see which had more penetration. In the end my results were not as useful as I thought they would be.
JOSH PAIL - Complex Pendulums - Physics 2
Complex Pendulums are very chaotic systems. Although there is no agreed upon definition of chaotic motion. This investigation aims to accurately measure chaotic motion using the L Pail Method and to eliminate questions regarding different variables. This presentation covers the basic understandings of complex pendulum systems and a detailed method of defining chaotic motion.
CHLOE LUNDY - Hockey Puck Scratch - 6th Grade Science
My life is hockey. I play on both girls and boys teams. Most players say that a dented or scratched hockey puck is slower on the ice. I test this idea by measuring the scratches and the velocity of the puck on ice. The results are surprising!
CHAZ CHANDLER - Chlorine and Water - Physics 1
All tap water contains many different substances, some of which are extremely dangerous. Your tap water comes from a treatment facility and must be regulated to ensure that your water is potable. Substances that are added to your tap water include chlorine, acids, hydroxides, fluoride, and minerals such as calcium and sodium. All amounts of these substances are regulated, but can you trust your municipal water to be entirely safe? Debrah Evans (Current Freedom Area High School Chemistry Teacher) assisted me in conducting a long term experiment determining the amount of chlorine present in tap water. In this presentation I will explain the process Ms.Evans and I used to measure the amount of chlorine in water and why my long term has become inconclusive due to the drawbacks of our process.
MARK FESSIDES - Bowl Resonance - Physics II
Resonance is a pretty interesting concept. The idea of an object vibrating simply because of a specific frequency is amazing, but how exactly does it work. In my long term, I attempted to find how the size of a bowl correlates it's resonance pitch.
KEITH PAWLOWSKI - Optimizing Computer Processing Speed - Physics III
In today's digital world, much of our lives happens through a computer screen. How fast our computers are can make a big difference in how we work and play. Additionally, the energy all our devices use contributes considerably to global electricity usage. In my long-term, I wanted to test how computer processing speed can be tweaked to improve these two factors.
LINDSEY VARNER - How Does the Pumps of Soap Clean the Brush - Physics 1
Artists clean their brushes and other supplies after use. I test the cleanliness of a paintbrush depending on the number of pumps of soap. Artists will be intrigued by the results.
JAY HESSLER - The Effect a Tee has on a Golfer’s Performance - Physics II
For many years people have asked themselves what makes a good golf ball. The physics behind golf is a topic that many scientists will even devote their lives to studying. In this presentation, not only do I break down what makes a good golf ball but I also take a deeper look into what makes an ideal golf tee.
Alumni Talks (See Science Alumni Tab for Biographies)
Alumni Presentation Abstracts are Listed Below!
NATE FLEMING - Biomedical Engineering - Manufacturing Engineer at ZOLL LifeVest
Biomedical applications in the industrial sector have been expanding rapidly in the past two decades. This has created a need for cross-functional engineers that understand multiple facets required to navigate medical device engineering. This talk will discuss the field of biomedical engineering, from schooling and coursework through applied industrial practice.
HALEY VELEMIROVICH - Genetic Variation of Ramps (Wild Onions) Using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Gel Electrophoresis.
I am doing research involving the genetics of ramps - a type of wild onion. The overarching goal of the research is to determine if ramps (Allium tricoccum) should be classified as a vulnerable species in Pennsylvania. My role in the project is to measure the genetic variation within and among ramp populations via genomic DNA extractions and analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. The gels I produce give me a genetic "fingerprint" of each sample, which allows me to determine the amount of diversity within one population of ramps.
CHANCE JERRY - Nuclear Engineering - Pennsylvania State University
My team and I are designing a generic cycle one Westinghouse AP1000 loading pattern. This project consists of three primary sections: core design, safety analysis, and operational calculations. These are done using advanced nodal code to solve neutron diffusion problems across a reactor core. Note: AP1000 is a trademark or registered trademark of Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, its affiliates and/or its subsidiaries in the United States of America and may be registered in other countries throughout the world. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. Other names may be trademarks of the respective owners.
MAX UJHAZY – Freshman Year COVID Class and Research – Undergraduate Student at Duquesne University
My first year at college came with many unexpected twists that all students are all too familiar with now. With this hopefully being a thing of the past, I will go into the account of some goods, bads, and adaptations during my first year of schooling at university in the STEM field. This includes classes, coursework, labs, research, opportunities, and time management.
COLE SKUSE — First Year As a Physics Major — Undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University
There's no doubt that there's a difference between college and high school, and there is no exception to physics at two levels. This talk will focus on what it's like majoring in physics, like classes, opportunities, social events, along with other aspects of being a physics major.
COLE SKUSE — Analyzing Decay Patterns of the Ds Meson Through the Use of Dalitz Plots — Undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University
When particles decay, they eject particles that have certain energies that can be visualized using a Dailitz Plot. Using programming, we can generate these plots and examine what types of decays occur. This talk will focus on the various decays of the Ds Meson and how using theoretical decays can help analyze real data.
MICHAEL KEITH - From Freedom to the Shell Plant – Plant Operator
Working at the Shell Plant or any other technical field requires problem solving skills and the ability to think, not just memorize. In this talk, I will help you understand what the plant does, review some of the responsibilities and jobs I am accountable for, and let you know how to follow in my footsteps, including schooling, work habits, and building up your working resume.
ROBIN KAUFMAN -- Surviving Your First Year at University - Sophomore Environmental Engineering Student at the University of Pittsburgh
Making it through your first years at university can be tough with learning how to balance an increased workload, getting involved in extracurriculars and figuring out what you're truly passionate about all while trying to take care of yourself and live in a new environment. In addition, being a woman in STEM brings about other challenges. Throughout this talk, I will walk you through the lessons I've learned throughout my first two years and give you tips and tricks to have a successful college career.
MEGAN SZATKIEWICZ - Occupational Therapist
What is an occupational therapist? They're someone who helps you get a job, right? Well, they can... but they do much more than that! Occupational therapy is a challenging, diverse, and rewarding career that helps people across the lifespan improve their success, participation, and independence in meaningful daily activities. In this talk, I will describe occupational therapy as a profession, the schooling required, and my personal journey.
BRANDON MCGLOTHLIN – Building America’s Infrastructure – Project Manager at FAY Southeast
Construction projects require many different engineering and science disciplines. This discussion will overview the life cycle of a construction project, the team members involved and the general requirements of a project manager.
KRISTY STURGESS - Women in Science - Engineer for the Nuclear Navy
Girls and women are systematically steered away from STEM throughout the educations which limits their options as adults. Women only make up ~28% of the workforce in STEM fields, and also are lower in numbers than men graduating with STEM degrees. Why so few? What can be changed to increase these numbers? I will be talking about why there are few women in the STEM field, ways to increase these numbers, and my own personal journey. I graduated from Freedom in 2015, pursued my Chemical Engineering degree at the University of Pittsburgh, and I am now an engineer supporting the nuclear Navy.
PEYTON ZANKEL - Archaeoastronomy: Studying How Others Studied the Stars
Archaeoastronomy is the study of how other people made sense of the heavens above them. Using what has been left behind, we can not only learn about the events of the past, but we can also learn about the brilliant engineering created from practically nothing. From paintings on rocks that record the birth of the Crab Nebula, to settlements that become calendars, there becomes a beautiful blend between history and science.
ROSEMARY MIHALKO - Running a STEM Business
Virtual Alumni Talks (See Science Alumni Tab for Biographies)
JARED HEYMANN, Ph.D. - Licensed to Kill: Designing the Most Efficacious Bleach Spray - R&D Manager, The Clorox Company
Bleach (or sodium hypochlorite) is one of the most effective disinfectants globally, though it presents a balancing act of trade-offs between efficacy, stability, and aesthetics. This talk will bring to life the technical approach to develop and commercialize the most advanced, efficacious hypochlorite spray, Clorox Healthcare Fuzion.
AMY RAKER (RAYBUCK) – Restoring the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill – Assistant Gulf Restoration Coordinator with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
This virtual talk will briefly describe the funding streams associated with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill. It will also include an overview of the restoration projects that have been funded to date in Florida, specifically on the coastal habitats and living coastal and marine resources (oysters, marine mammals, birds, and sea turtles) of the Gulf.
AMANDA LEE HERZOG - An Analytical View of How we quantify Biodiversity
I have done three research projects on quantifying biodiversity, and this presentation is an examination of internal and external biases that scientists must consider when studying a habitat. This presentation examines the Shannon-Weiner Biodiversity Index as well as other means to quantify life.
JORDAN KESTER – COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatment: Seeking Data from the Source to Combat Misinformation– Clinical Pharmacy Resident at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Now that there is published data surrounding COVID-19 prevention and treatment, it is important to stay appropriately informed. Sensationalized news articles written by non-medically trained journalists make this responsibility increasingly difficult to maintain. This talk will break down the trials and data published on these medical interventions so that you know what the true risks and benefits are when you, your family, and your friends are vaccinated or treated for COVID-19.
CARLOS ACOSTA, PhD - Sensitivity Analysis on the Application of Direct Piezo-Electric Effect Using the Finite-Element Extended Complex Variable Method - Electrical Engineering - The University of New Mexico At Los Alamos
The goal of this investigation is the application and optimization of the direct piezoelectric effect in energy harvesting from low frequency mechanical vibration. To achieve this goal, a sensitivity analysis was performed to study the coefficients that characterize the material properties through the implementation of the finite-element extended complex variable method. This numerical approach allows the computation of derivatives with respect to changes in geometry, material properties, and boundary loads by an iterative approach. This method offers significant advantages compared to the traditional finite-element approach given the highly accurate derivative information that can be obtained. The extended complex variable method was implemented in Python and the linear system of complex equations was solved on a two-dimensional discretized geometry. The results showed good agreement with results obtained using a commercial finite-element software.
RYAN KAUFMAN - Metal in the Right Place: Engineering a Quantum Computer
Building a large-scale quantum computer is a huge opportunity for our generation, with benefits that reach from finance all the way to bioscience and medicine. In this talk, I want to get out of the abstract ideas of quantum mechanics to tell you about the nuts and bolts of what needs to be done day-to-day, and how some of the skills a high schooler might already have can be critically important. While we are zoomed in this far, I will talk about the balance of heat, voltage, and machinery in terms of intuition, which I would argue is the true language of experimentalists. I will cover the design process that I go through in the lab to design and build a real quantum device and show that a surprising amount of it boils down to putting metal in the right place.
BREANNA LEASURE - Investigating if there are precursors of an endodermis in extant lycophyte
Lycophytes, AKA club mosses, are small plants that can be found hiking around Pennsylvania, as well as nearly every habitat on Earth. The club mosses seen today are related to the ancient and extinct tree lycophytes, some of the first land-living vascular plants ~420 million years ago. Today, teams of researchers claim they do not see any precursor of an endodermis, a key feature in vascular plants. This talk will showcase the process of investigating if today's lycophytes are vascular plants, like their ancestors.
KATIE SHVACH - Plant phenology, seed dispersal, and Eastern red cedar range expansion: it’s all about timing! - Kent State Masters Student
This project focuses on the foraging of Eastern Red Cedar by different birds and mammal species. Eastern Red Cedar is a native species that is encroaching into grassland ecosystems. This talk discusses the maturation project of the Eastern Red Cedar and the timing of foraging.