Ninth Grade award winner:     Isabele May, Noblesville High School, Noblesville, Ind. Teacher: Jennifer Zink and Gary Hipes

Project Title: Is Sordaris a Mungus?

Sordaris is a fungus that grows on herbivore feces. Isabele asked the genetics-related question: will hybrid asci show if crossing over has occurred during meiosis of the cell? (Meiosis is defined as a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each with half the chromosome number of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes.)

Her hypothesis was that the “wild + tan” and the “wild + gray” will show more crossing over (meiosis 2). The asci show up as horizontal alignments in the cell. In meiosis 1 they have a four - four ratio (non-crossing over) and in meiosis 2 they have a two – two – two ratio or a two – four – two ratio (crossing over). Her conclusion after inspection by microscope was that the wild + gray hybrids showed evidence of meiosis 2. The wild + tan hybrids showed more meiosis 1, making her original hypothesis partially correct.

Tenth Grade award winner:     Haleigh Moore, Noblesville High School, Noblesville, Ind. Teacher: Sarah Freemyer

Project Title: Peanuts for Fuel

This project tested the potential energy that can be derived from three different types of nuts as compared to diesel fuel. The project also compared the relative costs to produce the energy. Haleigh selected peanuts, almonds and cashews for her test and hypothesized that peanuts would produce the most energy and be the lowest cost. She constructed a calorimeter and, after weighing each item to be tested, ignited each nut and the diesel fuel in the combustion chamber. After calculating the temperature change in the water for each item and weighing the residue of each nut, Haleigh calculated the energy released. The results showed the diesel fuel released the most calories of energy, with the almonds coming in second. Cost evaluation show almonds being the most expensive, peanuts the lowest cost, followed by diesel fuel.

Eleventh Grade award winner:     Nina Kovalenko, Noblesville High School, Noblesville, Ind. Teacher: Charles Emmert

Project Title: Drug Resistance in Staphylococcus Epidermidis

This project addresses the potential for drug resistance when using anti-bacterial hand soap. Nina’s hypothesis was that after repeated exposure to anti-bacterial soap the bacteria would become drug resistant. Nina cultured staphylococcus epidermidis and repeated exposed it to Triclosan, an anti-bacterial agent regularly used in anti-bacterial soap. After 13 treatments in a controlled environment in four trials, she concluded that her hypothesis was correct.

Twelfth Grade award winner:     Cara Magnabosco, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Indianapolis, Ind. Teacher: Dr. Claire Baker

Project Title: Predictors & Outcomes of Abnormal Pulmonary Tests in Subjects Awaiting Liver Transplantation

Cara’s project was the result of work as an intern with the National Institute of Health and the Indiana University Medical School. The problem according to her presentation is that "there are several well-known extra-hepatic complications secondary to portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis. Pulmonary complications, such as abnormal arterio-alveolar gradient, have been reported in these patients. However, the impact of these parameters on the outcome of subjects who were on liver transplantation list is now well characterized."

The hypothesis was that there was no influence of any of the variables on the relationship between cirrhosis and pulmonary function. A retrospective study of data was conducted and a variety of statistical analysis were applied to the data. The conclusions were: "Gas exchange abnormalities and airway obstruction are common in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation. Independent predictors of gas exchange abnormalities are smoking history, BMI, HTN and abnormal CXR. The only independent predictor of airway obstruction is history of smoking. patients with abnormal gradients have a lower median of survival than patients with normal gradients. Smoking cessation and optimization/correction of abnormal gas exchange should be incorporated in the pre-liver transplantation care and education of cirrhotic patients."

This data will be published and also presented in Washington, DC later in the year.

Complete Judging Results

Elementary Division, Tuesday, March 20, 2007

4th Grade Girls 1st Place: Jessica DeWitt, Mary Castle Elem. Indianapolis TITLE OF PROJECT: How Do You Taste?

  2nd Place: Meredith Watson, White River Elem, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT:Don’t Lose Your Cool

     3rd Place: Yumna Khan, Snacks Crossing, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: How Do Eggshells React

        Honorable Mention: Hannah Haller, Mary Castle, Indianapolis: Lindsay Persico, Mary E. Castle, Indianapolis


4th Grade Boys 1st Place: Timothy Van Atter, Hattie B. Stokes, Lebanon, TITLE OF PROJECT: Mind Graphs
        Teacher Mrs. Barnes received the L A Marshall Award of Merit for the Elementary Division

  2nd Place: Max Rozema, Alternative Learning Academy, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Wave Energy

     3rd Place: Daniel Krupski, Hinkle Creek Elem, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: Vertical Vengeance

        Honorable Mention: Kaveet Pandya, Center Grove Elem, Greenwood, Ethan Heikens, Creekside Elem, Franklin


5th Grade Girls 1st Place: Megan Yoder, Sycamore School, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Landslides: The Truth Behind Them

  2nd Place: Elizabeth Bowers, St. Susanna, Plainfield, TITLE OF PROJECT: What Color Bird Feeder Attracts the Most Birds?

     3rd Place: Katie Hampton, Isom Central, Greenwood, TITLE OF PROJECT: The Metal Ages

        Honorable Mention: Rachel Connors, Pleasant Grove Elem, Greenwood, Brooke Hensell, Central, Lebanon


5th Grade Boys 1st Place: Brandon Gum, Mary Castle Elem, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Bubbles

  2nd Place: Therin Showalter, Perry Worth Elem, Lebanon, TITLE OF PROJECT: How Much Water Is In Various Fruits

     3rd Place: David Liang, Guion Creek, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Investigate Guard Rail Safety

        Honorable Mention: Jason Hatke, Central Elem, Lebanon, Connor Christmas, Coulston Elem, Shelbville

Junior Division, Thursday 22 March 2007

6th Grade 1st Place: Brett Douglas, Lebanon MS, Lebanon, TITLE OF PROJECT: Let’tuce Move E. Coli

  2nd Place: Luke Otley, St. Barnabas, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Temperature and Magnets

     3rd Place: Daniel Taylor, St. Richard’s, Carmel, TITLE OF PROJECT: Generation of Site and Taste

        Honorable Mention: Hailey Perkins, Shelbyville MS, Shelbyville, Paul Woodworth, Indian Creek MS, Trafalgar. Sam Garrison, Fall Creek Intermediate, Fishers, Erin Crowther, St. Barnabas, Greenwood, Brian Elkins, Anna Brochhausen, Indianapolis


7th Grade (Names in bold indicate an invitation for a cruise on the Research Vessel at Grand Valley State University)

1st Place: Adam Booth,The Oaks Academy, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Wind Power

  2nd Place: Kellie Lamothe, St. Luke School, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Say Cheese

     3rd Place: Heather Gum, Craig Middle School, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Got Gravity?

        Honorable Mention: Erin Darland, Our Lady of Greenwood, Greenwood, Connor Gehlert, Int’l School of IN, Indianapolis, Lillian Crabb, St. Richard’s, Indianapolis, Rosie Johnson, George Washington, Indianapolis, Kaylee Titsworth, St. Susanna, Mooresville, Caitlin Clem, Beech Grove MS, Beech Grove, Philip Miser, St. Simon the Apostle, Indianapolis, Hannah Bauer, St. Barnabas, Greenwood


8th Grade (Names in bold indicate an invitation for a cruise on the Research Vessel at Grand Valley State University)

1st Place: Marisha Wickremsinhe, Guion Creek MS, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Making Paste in Haste
         Teacher Mr. Ashburn received the L A Marshall Award of Merit for the Junior Division

  2nd Place: Nicholas Hartman, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Carmel, TITLE OF PROJECT: Colonic Salad Dressing

     3rd Place: Matthew March, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Carmel, TITLE OF PROJECT: Exercise and Endothelial Health in Youth

        Honorable Mention: Austin Bazilio, Craig Middle School, Indianapolis, Jon Aaron Stevenson, Franklin Township, Franklin, Middle School, William Hedley , Cascade MS, Clayton, Brannon Bowers, Creston MS, Indianapolis, Matthew Blandford, St. Mark Catholic, Indianapolis, Jessica Newman/Alexis Weaver, Stonybrook MS, Indianapolis, Camille Allamel, International School, Indianapolis, Eliza Moore, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Carmel, Isaac Seals, Shelbyville MS, Shelbyville, Audrey Oliger/Katherine Alemeier, St. Maria Goretti, Carmel, Gillie Wedding , St. Richard’s, Carmel, Katelyn Doering, Avon MS, Avon, Joy Kimmel, Heritage Christian, Indianapolis, Nicolas Cassidy, Stonybrook MS, Indianapolis, Joel Reyes, Harshman MS, Indianapolis, James Beverly-Johnson/Bryant Crain, Center for Inqiury #2, Indianapolis, Stanton Wilhite, The Oaks Academy, Indianapolis, Levi Vonnegut-Gabovitch, Hasten Hebrew Academy.,Indianapolis, Yonatan Hasten/Christopher Thompson, Zionsville, Katie Brown , West Stone’s Crossing, Greenwood, Ethan Raker, West Stone’s Crossing,Bargersville

Senior Division, Thursday 22 March 2007

9th Grade (Names in bold indicate an invitation for a cruise on the Research Vessel at Grand Valley State University)

1st Place: Isabelle May, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: Is Sordaris a Mungus?
         Teachers Jennifer Zink and Gary Hipes will receive the L A Marshall Merit Award for the 9th Grade

  2nd Place: Chrissy Erickson, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: Bacteria, Antibiotics, and Mutations

     3rd Place: Jered Carriger, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: The Art of Gram Staining

        Honorable Mention: Kaitlyn Collyer, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, Ben Vowell/Zach Langhans, Greenfield Central, Greenfield, Marilyn Decastro, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, Consuelo Arciga, George Washington, Indianapolis


10th Grade (Names in bold indicate an invitation for a cruise on the Research Vessel at Grand Valley State University)

1st Place: Haleigh Moore, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: Peanuts for Fuel
         Teacher Sarah Freemyer receives the L A Marshall Merit Award for the 10th Grade

  2nd Place: Katie LeSesne, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: The Perfect Note: Does Brand Matter

     3rd Place: Carrie Spencer, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: Soiled Plants?: Plant Growth in Different Types of Soil

        Honorable Mention: Hillary Kaub, Noblesville, Emily Kerns, Noblesville, Stephanie Steele, Noblesville, Betsy Boxberger, Noblesville, Caitlin Wilkewitz, Noblesville, Brittney Ritchie, George Washington, Indianapolis, Rachel Sinders, Noblesville


11th Grade (Names in bold indicate an invitation for a cruise on the Research Vessel at Grand Valley State University)

1st Place: Nina Kovalenko, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: Drug Resistance in Staphylococcus Epidermidis
        Teacher Charles Emmert receives the L A Marshall Merit Award for 11th Grade

  2nd Place: Ben Rowe, Noblesville HSm, Noblesville, TITLE OF PROJECT: Stokes’ Law: Not Just for Spheres

     3rd Place: Will Zander, Bishop Chatard HS, Indpls, TITLE OF PROJECT: The Quest for Perfection

        Honorable Mention: Matthew Huffman, Heritage, Indpls, Kyle Wagner, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, Jesse Hutton, Whiteland HS, Whiteland, Maycodon Sprow, George Washington, Indpls


12th Grade (Names in bold indicate an invitation for a cruise on the Research Vessel at Grand Valley State University)

1st Place: Cara Magnabosco, Brebeuf Jesuit Prep, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Predictors & Outcomes of Abnormal Pulmonary Tests in Subjects Awaiting Liver Transplantation
        Teacher Dr. Claire, Baker Receives the L A Marshall Merit Award for 12th Grade

  2nd Place: Willy Hernandez, George Washington, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Testing Liquid Biomes
     3rd Place: Ryan Eichhorn, Bishop Chatard HS, Indianapolis, TITLE OF PROJECT: Keeping It Yellow: The Preservation of Bananas

        Honorable Mention: Tara Reprogle, Noblesville HS, Noblesville, Adrian Kuzel, Noblesville HS, Noblesville