Students shine at Science & Engineering Fair

After a nine-hour day of continually presenting their research to experts in the field, the student scientists from the Advanced STEM Research Laboratory at Odessa High School exhibited their academic prowess in science and engineering at the Mid-Columbia Regional Science and Engineering Fair (MCSF) Thursday, March 13, 2014. Nearly 100 high-school student researchers represented the finest scientific minds vying for top prizes in STEM-related categories.

Senior Alexa Boss, junior Thorsen Wehr, sophomore Stacia Lesser, and freshma n Elizabeth Larson represented Odessa High School via the ASR Laboratory and were awarded the following honors:

Alexa Boss

Project title in Medicine and Health: "Analyzing Retinal Vascular Tortuosity in Fundus Photography as an Indicator for Health."

The analysis of fundus photography, or pictures of the blood vessels in the eye, reveals statistically varied retinal tortuosity between healthy, glaucoma, and diabetic patients. Boss' method and index of tortuosity/count ratio could be used to diagnose patients quickly and inexpensively.

Awards:

- First place overall, Senior Division (certificate, ribbon, cash prize)

- Invitation to observe the International Science & Engineering Fair, Los Angeles, Calif.

- American Association of University Women Award (certificate, cash prize)

- Ben Franklin County Medical Community Award (certificate, cash prize)

- MCSF Distinction for Scientific Thought Award (certificate, ribbon)

- Sigma Xi Best Use of Scientific Method Award (certificate, cash prize)

- Society of Women Engineers Award (certificate, cash prize)

- U.S. Department of Agriculture Outstanding Research Award (certificate, cash prize)

Thorsen Wehr

Project title in Physics and Astronomy: "The Generation and Analysis of Sound Waves with Varying Nonlinearity"

Nonlinear waves have increased amplitude, cover a smaller area than linear waves, and behave differently quantified by a novel formula derived by Thorsen Wehr. Practical applications of his research consist of a variety of medical uses, nonlinear beam-forming arrays, military non-invasive strikes through air-water-solids or mapping the ocean floor.

Awards:

- Grand prize overall, Senior Division (certificate, ribbon, cash prize, pin)

- Invitation to present project at International Science & Engineering Fair, Los Angeles, Calif.

- Sivaraman Award for Outstanding Research (certificate, cash prize)

- YALE Science and Engineering Outstanding Research Award (certificate, medallion)

- MCSF Distinction for Data Collection and Analysis (certificate, ribbon)

- Mu Alpha Theta Award for Creative Mathematics (certificate, cash prize)

- Sigma Xi Best Use of Scientific Method Award (certificate, cash prize)

- U.S. Army Award for Outstanding Scientific Research (certificate, collectibles)

Stacia Lesser

Project title in Behavioral Sciences: "Transgene Interleukin-37b Aiding Memory Consolidation Due to Sleep Disruption"

Interleukin-1 (IL1) and tumor necrosis (TNF) are pro-inflammatory cytokines. The production of this type of cytokine is reduced by IL37b. These cytokines can prevent memory consolidation when increased; both IL1 and TNF are increased by sleep loss. If IL37b is also increased during sleep loss it could help to reduce the production of these cytokines aiding memory consolidation.

Awards:

- Honorable mention overall, Senior Division (certificate, ribbon, pin)

- MCSF Distinction for Experimental Design (certificate, ribbon)

Elizabeth Larson

Project title in Computer Sciences: "The Outcome of the Numbers of Revolutions on Three Dimensional Digitally Animated Frames on the Final Video's Length in Seconds"

Three-dimensional digitally animated frames were played with different numbers of revolutions on each frame, which affected the final length of the video in time. Adding or deleting revolutions allows a digital object to move faster or slower, changing the final video's length and possibly saving the animated movie industry money and time in editing.

Awards:

- U.S. Army Award for Outstanding Scientific Research (certificate, collectibles)

- MCSF Distinction for Creativity (certificate, ribbon)

As one of the two Grand Prize Awardees, Thorson Wehr once again prepares to present his research at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), sponsored in part by Intel Corp. ISEF hosts over a thousand high school students from around the world, the largest pre-college science competition held this year in Los Angeles, Calif., May 11-16, 2014.

As the overall first-place awardee, Alexa Boss will join Wehr and other Washington State Regional Awardees at ISEF.

All of the ASR Laboratory researchers now prepare for the State Science Fair in Bremerton April 4-5, 2014.

The research conducted at the OHS Advanced STEM Research Laboratory is aligned to the Washington State Science Standards, the Common Core Standards, and the Next Generation Science Standards. Anyone wanting to see what the ASR students are up to each week can visit their student-driven website at http://www.wehrdscience.com/ASR or follow their student-driven account on Twitter: @ohsASR.

OHS science instructor Jeff Wehr says, "It's great to see the ASR Laboratory students congratulated and respected by experts in their respective fields of study. These students do not have all of the luxuries and conveniences of a stocked research facility right next door to the high school like the 4A through 1A schools we meet at these science excursions. To create some of the top STEM research in Washington State says a lot about the support the ASR Lab receives from the Odessa School District and local community."