Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) held its seventh annual History, Industry, Technology and Science (HITS) Expo on Saturday, March 11, at St. Charles High School.

The Expo included an array of student science and history fair projects on display for judging. The science fair projects were categorized by Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science, Life Science, and Physics and Astronomy. Special awards were also given to eligible students.

The following students received awards for their science fair projects. Skylan Brassell, an eighth-grade student at the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, was named the grand prize winner for her project, “Troubled Tributaries: Turbidity Data for Mattawoman and Piscataway creeks.”

Senior Division
First-place awards

• Jasmin Ali, senior, North Point High School, “Are you drinking bacteria?” behavioral/medicine and health science category (tie).
• Hayley Pinggory, senior, North Point, “Investigating the Antimicrobial Properties of Yeast Found in Three Common Foods,” behavioral/medicine and health science category (tie).
• Lauren Compton, sophomore, La Plata High School, “Golf Ball Bounciness,” chemistry category.
• Skylan Brassell, eighth grade, Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, “Troubled Tributaries: Turbidity Data for Mattawoman and Piscataway creeks,” environmental science category.
• Eli Harris, eighth-grade, Matthew Henson Middle School, “How Different Liquids Affect Plant Growth,” life science category.

Second-place awards

• Jordyn Riley, senior, North Point, “Analyzing over-the-counter acne medications and home remedies on their ability to inhibit S. epidermis growth,” behavioral/medicine and health science category.
• Charlene Dangan and Trinity Hill, eighth-grade, Milton M. Somers Middle School, “Flour Power,” chemistry category.
• Noah Strawberry, senior, North Point, “Can I use the bathroom,” environmental science category. 
• Morayo Owopetu, senior, North Point, “What are we really eating?” life science category.
• Myles Theriot, eighth grade, Mattawoman Middle School, “Speedy Shoes,” physics and astronomy category.

Elementary Division
First-place awards

• Jackson Heise, fifth grade, Walter B. Mitchell Elementary School, “Egg-cellent Replacements!” chemistry category.
• Victoria Palmer, third grade, Dr. James Craik Elementary School, “Stop, Hover Time!” engineering category.
• Emily Maradiaga, fifth grade, St. Mary’s School, “Magic Manure,” environmental science category.
• London Alexander, fourth grade, Billingsley Elementary School, “Soil Meets Soil,” life science category.
• Yahya Ziden, third grade, J.C. Parks Elementary School, “Breaking Nails,” physics and astronomy category.

Second-place awards

• Zouhoor Ziden, fifth grade, Parks, “Which liquid decays teeth the most?” chemistry category.
• Parker Rager, fifth grade, Gale-Bailey Elementary School, “How does the size of a balloon affect a CD’s ability to hover?” engineering category.
• Paige Warring, fourth grade, Mitchell, “Be loyal to the soil!” environmental science category.
• Jan Margaux Magauay, third grade, Mary B. Neal Elementary School, “Let’s Wrap it Ap,” life science category.
• Hunter Behm, fourth grade, Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, Sour Power,”: physics and astronomy category.

 

Below is a list of students who received a special award for their science fair projects.

• Mallory Chewning, sixth grade, Somers, “What effect does soil have on bones over time?” Charles County Archeological Society of Maryland.
• Michaela Raqueno, senior, North Point, “Synthesis and Antimicrobial Applications of Eco-Friendly Silver Nanoparticles,” College of Southern Maryland.
• Skylan Brassell, eighth grade, Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, “Troubled Tributaries: Turbidity Data for Mattawoman and Piscataway creeks,” College of Southern Maryland.
• Brooke Lagana, fourth grade, St. Mary’s School, “Cool Cups,” College of Southern Maryland.
• Noah Strawberry, senior, North Point, “Can I use the bathroom,” senior school division first-place award, Southern Maryland Resource Conservation & Development Board.
• Kalynn Gates, senior, North Point, Microplastic Magnet Container, senior school division honorable mention, Southern Maryland Resource Conservation & Development Board.
• Skylan Brassell, eighth grade, Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, “Troubled Tributaries: Turbidity Data for Mattawoman and Piscataway creeks,” junior school division first-place award, Southern Maryland Resource Conservation & Development Board.
• Elie Komlan, sixth grade, Henson, “Is River Water Safe?” junior school division honorable mention, Southern Maryland Resource Conservation & Development Board.
• Christopher Martin, eighth grade, Henson, “Fingerprint Patterns: Are patterns in your fingerprints inherited through parents?” La Plata Lions Club.
• Cristina Merino Gonzales, third grade, Indian Head Elementary School, “Holograms,” La Plata Lions Club.
• Ava Range, fourth grade, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School, “What is the effect of light on pictures?” La Plata Lions Club.
• Eli Harris, eighth grade, Henson, “How different liquids affect plant growth,” La Plata Garden Club.
• James Jackson, fourth grade, William A. Diggs Elementary School, “The Fantastic Four: Milk vs. Water,” La Plata Garden Club.
• Aimee Gatewood, third grade, Mt. Hope, “Can plants grow in the cold?” La Plata Garden Club.
• Jasmin Ali, senior, North Point, “Are you drinking bacteria?” Waste Water Operators of America.
• Skylan Brassell, eighth grade, Neighborhood Creative Arts Center, “Troubled Tributaries: Turbidity Data for Mattawoman and Piscataway creeks,” Waste Water Operators of America.

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.

CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).