St. Joseph the Worker Students Shine at Science Competition

Seventh and eighth grade students from St. Joseph the Worker School in Orefield shined at the recent Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science middle school competition held at Easton Area High School.

Of the 29 students representing the school, three had perfect scores, 20 took first place, and six placed second.

St. Joseph the Worker school officials provided the following list of winners and their projects: 

• Paul Alonso, 8th grade, "Do every day public sounds exceed national safety standards?'
• Joseph Galassi, 7th grade, "Are waterproof bandages 100% waterproof?"
• Nicholas Zielinski, 8th grade, "Which light bulb uses the least amount of energy?"

First Place

• Patrick Boyle, 7th grade, "Does temperature affect the rate at which a candle burns?'
• Justin Burda, 7th grade, "Does beam shape affect strength?"
• Irene Clee, 7th grade, "Does seed depth affect plant growth?"
• Keegan Connelly, 8th grade, "Which soil makes plants grow tallest?"
• Alana Dee, 7th grade, "Is baking soda more effective than baking powder?"
• Tea DelRio, 7th grade, "What is the most effective sound-proofing material?"
• Catherine Fudal, 7th grade, "Which brand of paper plates is most grease resistant?"
• Hannah Gough, 7th grade, "Does freezing seeds affect germination?"
• Taylor Hennessy, 7th grade, "Does the pH of a stain remover affect its efficiency?"
• Justin Lessel, 7th grade, "Does guitar pick thickness effect sound?"
• Allison McGlynn, 7th grade, "Which sun screen brand is most UV ray affective?"
• Patrick McLaughlin, 8th grade, "How do CO2 levels vary in photosynthesis and respiration?"
• Josephine Miller, 7th grade, "Which cleaning absorbent leaves no streaks?"
• Eva Munshower, 8th grade, "Does a paraffin candle have more residue than other candles?"
• Hallie Niechwiadowicz, 7th grade, "Which paddle shape generates the most electricity?"
• Nicholas Pepen, 8th grade, "Under which light do plants grow tallest?"
• Cassidy Power, 7th grade, "Is energy consumption proportionate with solar panels?"
• Peter Rittenhouse, 7th grade, "Which popcorn leaves the fewest unpopped kernels?"
• Christina Sedlack, 8th grade, "Does launch angle affect projectile distance?"
• Alexander Sharkey, 7th grade, "Do eggs affect the density of baked products?"

Second Place

• Michael Cardiges, 8th grade, "Are polymer crystals an effective germination medium?"
• Nathan Leaswitch, 8th grade, "Which beverage contains the most vitamin C?"
• Jocelyn Lengen, 8th grade, "Is wire conductivity affected by bending?"
• John Skrip, 8th grade, "Does the size of a seed affect the rate of germination?"
• Aidan Turner, 7th grade, "Which detergent removes coffee stains?"
• Abby Vecellio, 8th grade, "Which bulb has the greatest illumination area?"

Science teacher Corliss Reed said the students, who chose their own topics, had been working on their projects since September. Those who obtained perfect scores and first-place scores will go on to compete at the state level.