Nine students from Saint Anthony High School participated in the LA County Science Fair over the weekend, and three of those students took home awards. Photo courtesy of Saint Anthony High School
Three students from Saint Anthony High School (SAHS) were recognized for exceptional projects at the LA County Science Fair over the weekend.
Out of nine participants from SAHS, Diana Palma, Thomas Mbadugha and Clarissa Tacto took home awards.
Palma won second place and a $50 cash award in the senior Chemistry Division for her project “Polystyrene and its Effectiveness of Removing Calcium and Magnesium from Water,” which created a filter using recycled plastic soda dividers and coffee cups. Her award qualifies her for participation in the California State Science Fair at the California Science Center in May.
Mbadugha won the second place award and $150 cash prize from the National Association of Corrosion Engineers for his project “Speed Rust,” which studied how different metals reacted and rusted when put in water.
Tacto won Excellence in Vacuum or Surface Chemistry and a $100 cash award from the American Vacuum Society for her project, “The Transference of Nicotine through Drinking Glasses.” In her project, Tacto examined how nicotine can be passed from person to person through contact with drinking glasses.
“It is such an exciting event for the students to showcase what they’ve learned at St. Anthony High School”, said Dr. Gian Grant, the students’ chemistry teacher, in a statement. “They spent so much time on their research, and this event will allow their work to improve even more.”