WALDORF, Md. – Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) held the ninth annual History, Industry, Technology and Science Expo, also known as HITS, on March 22 at St. Charles High School.
Each year the Expo features student history and science fair projects on display for judging. Science Fair project categories included Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Engineering, Environmental Science, Life Science, Mathematical Science, Physics, and Physics and Astronomy.
Each year, one student is named the overall grand winner for their science fair project. This year, the grand winner was sophomore Skylan Brassell of the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center for her project titled, “Port Tobacco River’s Dissolved Oxygen Levels and Their Correlation to Turbidity, Water Temperature, and Coliforms.” Brassell also earned a first-place award for her project in the secondary level, Environmental Science category.
The following students also received awards for their science fair projects.
Elementary school division
First-place awards
- Lana Songco, Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science category, “Quick Catch,” fourth grade, William B. Wade Elementary School.
- Nora Moss, Chemistry category, “Can You Candle the Heat,?” fifth grade, Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School.
- Kourtni Johnson, Earth and Space Science category, “Right Side Up,” fourth grade, Berry Elementary School.
- Jan Margaux Magauay, Environmental Science category, “Pulp Patrol: Who’s the best oil absorber,?” fifth grade, Mary B. Neal Elementary School.
- Jacob Enck, Life Science category, “Propagation in Different Variables of Water,” fourth grade, Dr. James Craik Elementary School.
- Skylar Adkisson, Physics and Astronomy category, “Loop the Loop Roller Coaster!” fourth grade, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School.
Second-place awards
- Megan Nelson, Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science category, “Which soda is worse for your teeth enamel,?” fourth grade, William A. Diggs Elementary School.
- Angel Aviles Villegas, Chemistry category, “How does temperature affect a battery,?” fourth grade, Mary H. Matula Elementary School.
- Isabella Welcome, Earth and Space Science category, “Let It Grow Let It Grow – Does music help plants grow faster,?” fourth grade, St. Mary’s Bryantown School.
- Fatima Khan, Environmental Science category, “Oops Spilled It! Oil Spills and How We Clean It Up,” fifth grade, Billingsley Elementary School.
- Eddie Sommella, Life Science category, “Which fruits and vegetables have the most sugar?,” fourth grade, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School.
- Terrez Cooks, Physics and Astronomy category, “Basketball Bounce Test,” third grade, Malcolm Elementary School.
Secondary level division
First-place awards
- Yvonna Edwards and Jacob Reginald, Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science category, “Analyzing Effects of Standard Amounts of Caffiene on Antibiotic Effectiveness,” seniors, North Point High School.
- Quinn Kober, Chemistry category, “Making Perfumes,” sixth grade, Matthew Henson Middle School.
- Jason Falkler, Mathematical Science category, “Mathematically Delicious,” sixth grade, Milton M. Somers Middle School.
- Skylan Brassell, Environmental Science category, “Port Tobacco River’s Dissolved Oxygen Levels and Their Correlation to Turbidity, Water Temperature, and Coliforms,” sophomore, Neighborhood Creative Arts Center.
- Maximilian High and Jade Russell, Life Science category, “Forensic Multiplex PCR in Unstable Environments,” seniors, North Point.
Second-place awards
- Carsyn Martin, Behavioral/Medicine and Health Science category, “Comparing the Enzyme Activity in Spoiled vs. Refrigerated Organic and Non-Organic Cheese after 4 Weeks,” senior, North Point.
- Ethan Ben Gregory Escasinas, Chemistry category, “Snow to H2O: Different Filtration Methods,” eighth grade, Theodore G. Davis Middle School.
- Shaylee House, Environmental Science category, “H2Uh-oh! Bacteria Testing,” sixth grade, Somers.
- Sofia Morris, Life Science category, “Yeast Reproduction in Sugar Substitutes,” seventh grade, Somers.
- Yaazin Shah, Physics category, “Helium and How Many Balloons Can Lift Different Toys,” eighth grade, Neighborhood Creative Arts Center.
- Jeremy Largen, Earth and Space Science category, “Volcano Eruption,” seventh grade, St. Mary’s Bryantown.
Below is a list of students who earned a special award for their projects.
- Ethan Ben Gregory Escasinas, Charles County Archaeological Society of Maryland award.
- Skylan Brassell, College of Southern Maryland (CSM) award.
- Sofia Morris, CSM award.
- Emma Vo, fifth grade, Billingsley, CSM and La Plata Garden Club awards, “Heavy Metal and Aquatic Environments.”
- Gabrielle Minors, sixth grade, Mattawoman Middle School, La Plata Garden Club award, “Java Jungle: How does caffeine affect plant growth.”
- Kaitlyn Moorer and Morgan Jones, seniors, North Point, La Plata Garden Club award, “Different Fruits and Vegetables on the Effectiveness of Compost.”
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 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 Dr. Mike Blanchard, 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).