Twenty-six Nacogdoches High School students displayed 17 projects for the District Science and Engineering Fair held Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Malcolm Rector Center for Advanced Careers & Innovation.
Projects touched on fields related to microbiology, biochemistry, environmental engineering, mathematics, animal science, behavioral science, plant science, engineering technology, biomedical and health science, and earth and environmental science.
Students prepared the following project abstracts:
Staph is not Mint to Be – MICROBIOLOGY
Irvin Cruz, Bryan Martinez, Gezle Uson
Staphylococcus epidermidis is commonly found on the skin and is typically harmless; however, if left untreated, it can lead to infections that may have serious health consequences. The goal of this experiment was to identify which variety of mint could be effectively incorporated into a natural lotion to help combat S. epidermidis. Specifically, the objective was to test the antibacterial properties of several mint varieties in order to find the most suitable one for inclusion in a 100% all-natural moisturizer. To assess the effectiveness of each mint variety, we employed the disk diffusion method using S. epidermidis cultured on agar media. In order to ensure that our bacterial strain was not contaminated, we performed streak isolation and incubated it for 24 hours. Each petri dish was divided into three quadrants: one containing a mint extract, the second containing a vancomycin disk as a positive control, and the third containing a blank disk as a negative control. The results revealed that apple mint exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect on bacterial growth, with an average inhibition zone of 0.667 mm. In conclusion, apple mint proved to be the most effective mint variety in preventing the growth of S. epidermidis, suggesting its potential as a key ingredient in an all-natural lotion. This study highlights the promising antibacterial properties of mint, with apple mint standing out as the most effective option for skincare products designed to combat S. epidermidis growth.
Sun-Kissed Strands – BIOCHEMISTRY
Kylie Fields
This study investigates effective hair-lightening methods that minimize damage, helping consumers make informed choices. The research compares non-bleach home remedies (lemon and honey) with commercial bleach to determine their impact on hair lightening and damage. Observations revealed that bleaching caused noticeable silkiness loss but achieved significant lightening. Lemon lightened slightly with minor texture changes, while honey showed no effect. Procedures included preparing hair samples, treating them with lemon, honey, or bleach, exposing them to UV light, and evaluating damage and color change under a microscope. Results suggest bleach is most effective for lightening but causes more damage, while home remedies are gentler with limited results.
Shining Light on Sustainable Fuel – BIOCHEMISTRY
Jean Choi, Amy Lopez
The demand for sustainable energy sources has increased interest in alternative biofuels, particularly those derived from microalgae. This project explores the potential of optimizing lipid production in Chlorella vulgaris, a cyanobacteria species with significant biofuel potential due to its high lipid concentration, by investigating the impact of different LED light colors on lipid extraction and biofuel production.
The study aimed to evaluate whether green or red LED lighting can enhance lipid production in Chlorella vulgaris, to improve biofuel yield. Chlorella vulgaris, which naturally contains 25-27% lipids, is ideal for this investigation. The experimental design involves growing cyanobacteria cultures under three LED light conditions: white (control), red, and green.
Chlorella vulgaris was cultured in 300 mL of tap water and 7 g of nitrogenous fertilizer in 500 mL glass beakers wrapped with color-specific LED lights for 3 weeks, followed by a standardized lipid extraction process using hexane and isopropyl alcohol. The extracted lipids underwent transesterification using NaOH and methanol to produce biodiesel, with final measurements of biofuel volume.
We used a one-way ANOVA test to evaluate significant differences in lipid production between the experimental light conditions and the control. Results indicate that our null hypothesis was supported: that red or green LED lights do not impact overall biofuel yield. We believe that our limited sample size and overall biomass culture influenced our results. Future research should focus on increasing the overall biomass and sample size to reach supportable conclusions regarding the correlation between biofuel yield and LED light color.
Misty Magic – ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Erick Guitierez, Dereck Polo
Access to clean water remains a critical issue worldwide, prompting researchers to explore innovative solutions like fog catchers. These devices, based on the Schemenauer design, consist of tall structures fitted with specialized nets that capture water droplets from fog. As the droplets accumulate, they coalesce, flow down the net, and are collected in a trough and reservoir. Construct two fog catchers and deploy them in distinct environments: an open field and a forested area. One possible hypothesis posited that the forested site would yield a higher water collection rate due to potentially denser fog found in forested environments. Over 33 days, measure the collected water using a graduated cylinder and document the results in a spreadsheet. The data revealed that the forested fog catcher consistently outperformed the open-field device, collecting more water daily. This suggests that environmental factors, such as vegetation density, may enhance the efficiency of fog collection systems. In order to analyze the data, take the summation of all the water collected for the forested site and open area independent of each other and divide by the number of days water was collected in order to yield the mean for both sites. After this, you could conclude that the forested site collected significantly more than the open field due to the mean of the forested site being 1.53 ml/day of water while the open site had a mean of .4 ml/day of water.
Dissolving the Details – BIOCHEMISTRY
DeLayna Adams
This study investigates the effects of sulfuric acid on tissue and bone decomposition, focusing on its response to environmental stimuli of shade. Inspired by historical cases of acid used for body disposal in criminal cases, the experiment used sulfuric acid-based drain cleaner to evaluate decomposition rates. Six pig feet samples were placed in jars under three conditions: no acid, acid exposure, and acid exposure with shading (covered by a garbage bag). Data on temperature and physical decomposition were collected bi-daily for three weeks. The average temperature and the progression of decomposition were analyzed to determine differences across conditions.
Line graphs comparing decomposition, excluding those covered by garbage bags showed a noticeable reduction in decomposition time for the two acid-treated jars. Analysis of the graphs, along with insights from past studies on temperature, and observations from the description scale in the experiment showed that shade increased the decomposition rate. This conclusion invalidated the hypothesis being tested. The results of this experiment aim to provide insights into how environmental factors and chemical exposure influence decomposition rates, which could have applications in forensic investigations.
Basketball Beat: Revisiting the Rankings – MATHEMATICS
Ja’Brandon Chapman
The selection of collegiate basketball teams for postseason tournaments has long been a subject of scrutiny, with human bias and subjective criteria often influencing team rankings. This research proposal explores an alternative ranking methodology by applying the Major League Soccer (MLS) Table system to analyze potential changes in tournament seeding, specifically examining the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and Conference USA tournament brackets.
The study proposes replacing traditional selection committee processes with a points-based ranking system that awards three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss. By analyzing team performance data from the past three seasons (2022-2024), the research aims to quantify how this alternative ranking method would modify tournament seeding and team selection.
The proposed methodology involves collecting comprehensive team performance data, calculating rankings using the MLS Table system, and comparing the resulting tournament brackets against the traditional selection process. Key metrics of analysis include ranking percentage differences, seeding variations, and overall bracket composition changes.
The primary objective is to demonstrate a potentially more objective and transparent team selection process that eliminates human bias and reduces the reliance on complex, subjective ranking algorithms. By focusing on the WAC and Conference USA, this research provides a targeted examination of how alternative ranking systems might revolutionize collegiate basketball tournament selection.
Hydropacer Pro – ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY: STATICS AND DYNAMICS
Jacob Turner, Clayton Coffee
This project aims to develop a waterproof clock for swimmers in long-distance races, offering real-time feedback to enhance pacing and performance. By enabling swimmers to monitor progress and optimize strategies, the tool seeks to improve training and competitive outcomes. Pace-setting technologies, such as the WaveLight system in track running, have significantly impacted performance, contributing to 12 world records by providing real-time visual pacing cues. Despite the importance of pacing, swimmers lack comparable tools, limiting their ability to gauge and adjust speed during races. This project addresses this gap by designing a precise, durable, and accessible pacing solution suited to the aquatic environment. This project lays the groundwork for integrating pacing technologies into swimming. Beyond the waterproof clock, future advancements could include programmable pacing lights for pools, similar to the WaveLight system. These innovations have the potential to revolutionize training, set new performance standards, and drive broader adoption of real-time pacing tools in aquatic sports.
Enhancement of Skeletonization– ANIMAL SCIENCE
Shaniya Davis, Jade Horn
This study examines the impact of different LED light colors on the skeletonization process performed by dermestid beetles, which are key in forensic entomology for cleaning flesh from bones. The aim is to determine if exposure to red, blue, green, or white (control) light affects the time it takes for beetles to skeletonize an organism. The hypothesis suggests blue LED light will reduce skeletonization time, while the null hypothesis proposes no effect from light color. The experiment tested beetle activity under various light conditions to quantify time differences in the skeletonization process. Findings revealed that red light slowed the process, while green light typically resulted in the fastest skeletonization, except in the final trial, where blue light outperformed the others. This study has implications for forensic science, particularly in optimizing conditions for insect-based investigations, and suggests blue light may enhance beetle efficiency in controlled experiments.
The Dye Dilemma – BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCE
Ella Furniss
This study investigated the effects of artificial (Red 40) and natural (strawberry-based) food dyes on the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster. Fruit flies were cultured on media containing Red 40, natural dye, or no dye (control) over 5 trials, each with 20 flies per group per trial. Lifespans were monitored daily and recorded on their first day as a fly and their death day. The results revealed that fruit flies exposed to Red 40 had the shortest average lifespan (8.7 days), significantly lower than those fed natural dye (10.8 days) and the control group (11.2 days). These findings suggest that artificial dyes may negatively impact longevity, while natural dyes have a milder effect, closer to that of the control. This experiment highlights the potential biological risks of artificial food dyes and emphasizes the need for further research into their effects on health and lifespan in other organisms.
Optimizing Beta Carotene in Microgreens – BIOCHEMISTRY
Aurbree Garcia
This study investigates the effects of alternating blue and white LED light on microgreen growth and beta-carotene accumulation compared to constant white LED light. The null hypothesis suggested no significant differences in plant height or beta-carotene concentration between the two light treatments, while the alternate hypothesis proposed significant differences. Twenty samples were grown in controlled conditions, with 10 exposed to alternating blue and white light and 10 to constant white light. Plant height was measured every two days, and beta-carotene was extracted after three weeks using acetone. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with methanol: acetone solvent system was employed for pigment analysis. Beta-carotene concentrations were quantified by comparing sample spot intensities to standards using ImageJ software. Data analysis revealed that microgreens grown under alternating light conditions had significantly higher average plant height (6.8 ± 0.4 cm) and beta-carotene concentration (7.2 ± 0.5 µg/mL) compared to the control group (5.3 ± 0.6 cm and 5.1 ± 0.7 µg/mL, respectively). Independent t-tests yielded P-values < 0.05 for both variables, confirming statistically significant differences and rejecting the null hypothesis. These findings demonstrate that alternating blue and white LED light enhances both microgreen growth and nutritional quality. The study highlights the potential of light manipulation to optimize crop production and improve the nutritional value of microgreens, with applications in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Thin-layer chromatography and image analysis provided reliable, quantifiable results that supported the hypothesis.
Salty Solutions: Dwarf Glasswort for Sustainable Agriculture – EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Taylor Hart
Dwarf glasswort (Salicornia bigelovii) is a halophytic plant that thrives in salt marshes and other highly saline environments and can intake and store salt within its vacuoles. This experiment utilizes the desalination properties of dwarf glasswort to determine if these plants could effectively replace reverse osmosis desalination as a more sustainable alternative for agricultural purposes. Six deep water culture (DWC) systems were used to test the effectiveness of this plant’s desalination abilities. Three DWC systems served as trials, containing three dwarf glasswort plants each. The other three served as controls, not containing any plants. The salinity in ppt of each trial and control was measured daily for 7 weeks. To analyze the data collected, a dilution factor was used to factor in the change in volume due to evaporation, and then the relative change in salinity was calculated. The experiment revealed that the three trials did have a negative relative change in salinity, albeit small: -1.36%, -0.79%, and -2.37%, respectively. Although these results support the null hypothesis, extending the trial time by an estimated 396 weeks or adding 179 plants to the same size container could allow the desired salinity to be reached if the percent loss in salinity continues proportionally. Because both potential changes are impractical, further experimentation is needed to yield better results. Specifically, replicating the experiment in spring, the more optimal growing season, and comparing the desalinating abilities of the annual Salicornia species with the perennial Sarcocornia species could provide a more definite conclusion.
Running The Data: Unlocking the Training Secrets of Olympic Marathoners Using Strava – MATHEMATICS
Miguel Diaz, Nixon Long
In elite distance running, top athletes consistently push the boundaries of human performance, while science lags in understanding their methods. Elite runners in their prime rarely compromise their proven training regimens to participate in training research in an experimental setting, so exercise physiology research has always lacked long-term, quantitative data on the pinnacle of human endurance. Strava, a fitness-tracking platform, provides a unique solution to this challenge. By allowing users to share training data – including volume, intensity zones, and other metrics – Strava offers unprecedented insight into the training habits of the world's best marathoners. This study analyzed the training blocks of six Olympic marathoners using Strava data, comparing their performance at the 2024 Olympics with their training patterns to determine which training yielded the most efficient results. A higher proportion of rest was correlated with greater success. Volume in general, not in a specific intensity zone, was directly correlated with greater injury risk and poorer performance. Advantages and drawbacks were found in each intensity zone, but due to the small sample size, there wasn't enough data to provide insight into the more complex relationships between these training variables.
Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Hydroponic Environments – EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Micaela Puffer, Madisyn Pleasant
Microplastic contamination in aquatic environments is a growing global issue, necessitating efficient methods for their removal. In this study, we investigated the potential of using hydroponically grown plants to remove microplastics from contaminated water. We hypothesized that plant growth would facilitate the absorption or filtration of microplastics from the water. To test this, we set up a hydroponic system with water heavily contaminated with microplastics and attempted to grow lettuce from seeds. Our hypothesis was not supported by the results. Instead of a reduction in microplastic levels, we saw an increase in microplastic concentration over time. This may have occurred due to the lack of plant growth, as the lettuce did not absorb the microplastics. The absence of plants meant there was no mechanism to reduce the microplastic load in the system. These results suggest successful microplastic removal requires active plant growth. Further research should focus on optimizing plant growth conditions, selecting plant species with higher uptake capabilities, and integrating additional filtration methods to enhance microplastic removal in hydroponic systems
Debt of East Texas – MATHEMATICS
Benjamin Satir
This project aims to determine the optimal debt-to-equity ratio (DER) for medical practices in the Piney Woods region of Texas. By analyzing financial data from local medical offices, including revenue, expenses, loan interest, taxes, and initial debt, the Net Profitability Ratio (NPR) was calculated. NPR measures how effectively revenue is converted into profit after covering expenses, providing insights into whether a practice’s debt load is manageable. A limitation of the study was the low response rate with only about 50% responding, which could introduce bias and affect the findings. The practices with the highest NPR relative to their debt levels were identified to establish the ideal debt threshold. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, and further research is needed to validate the conclusions.
Ghost Shrimp in Training – ANIMAL SCIENCE
Haylee Vose
The overall question this project focuses on is: What are the abilities of ghost shrimp to complete a given task? The hypothesis that was tested in this project was: If shrimp are trained for a longer period of time, then they will reach a higher difficulty level. The shrimp were separated out into different trial groups and trained. The training would be specific to them. The shrimp were trained with positive reinforcement, meaning that the shrimp were given food when It completed the task. The major issue of this project was the lifespan of the shrimp. The shrimp did not live long enough to be trained. Many improvements were made to keep the shrimp from dying, including establishing a better environment, adding flakes for feeding after, and adding bubblers. Many changes were made to attempt to solve this problem of the shrimp death, some of which including: establishment of a better environment, feeding with flakes as well as brine shrimp, and adding aerators. There was no real difference in the trial groups.
Unveiling the Influence: Investigating Biases' Impact on Group Conformity – BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
Jacob Norman, Luke Pierce
Conformity Experiment, with the purpose of testing participants’ conformity in a group. This project varied from the Asch Conformity Experiment by testing participants’ conformity based on the group’s clothing. Volunteers were individually placed in a room with four actors and presented with five sets of lines. The group was asked to identify which lines were equal in length to the first line for each set. After the first two sets of lines, the actors would give incorrect answers. In the tests with actors wearing nice clothing, most volunteers conformed and gave wrong answers, while in the tests with actors in messy clothes, almost no participants conformed. In the tests with casual clothing, around half of the volunteers conformed. These results show that people are more likely to blindly follow the actions of a group if the group is perceived well.
Wax-Coated Sand – PLANT SCIENCE
Kristine Pruett
In winter, gardeners often face the challenge of not being able to cultivate specific crops due to seasonal limitations. To address this issue and explore methods for extending the growing season, there was an investigation with use of wax-coated sand, which has been reported to enhance soil water retention in arid environments. For the experiment, I made wax-coated sand and a soil mixture and went on to plant twenty seven spinach plants in wax-coated sand and twenty seven in conventional soil under controlled indoor conditions, maintaining a temperature range of 68–72°F to replicate a cool growing environment. The main goal of my experiment was to evaluate whether the use of wax-coated sand significantly influenced plant growth, water retention, or overall plant viability compared to traditional soil. I was most curious as to know if the wax-coated sand specifically would help viability in the cold climates which would be a potential solution for farmers attempting to grow crops out of their season.