Three Hudson Falls students win awards at regional science competition

March 25, 2018 – Hudson Falls, N.Y. — Three Hudson Falls seniors earned accolades for their intensive science research projects this weekend at a regional competition.

Five girls earned a spot in Saturday’s contest. Abby Swartz, Jessica Petteys, Annie Kiernan, Sena McLaughlin, and Sierra Ellsworth presented their work at the Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair (GCRSEF) on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The GCRSEF is a STEM competition which highlights unique research projects of high school students.

Abby Swartz earned the Albany Molecular Research Award, Jessica Petteys won the National Association of Biology Teachers Award, and Sena McLaughlin got the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award. Congratulations to all five young women!

Here are the topics they worked on:

  • Abby Swartz – Effect of pH, Salinity Levels, and the Alzheimer’s-associated Aβ Protein on Memory Formation and Regenerative Abilities in Planaria (Dugesia tigrina)
  • Sena McLaughlin – Environment or Beekeeping Practices: What affects survival rate in honey bee colonies with Varroa mite infestations?
  • Annie Kiernan – Prevalence of Orthorexia Nervosa in a College Population based on the ORTO-15 and EDE-Q Questionnaires
  • Jess Petteys – Intercropping Solanum Tuberosum and Calendula Officinalis to attract the Coleomegilla Maculata as a biological control method for Leptinotarsa Decemlineata and Macrosiphum Euphorbiae populations
  • Sierra Ellsworth – Health-related Quality of Life in Individuals Diagnosed with Juvenile-Onset Huntington’s Disease

To read further about our science research course and their research, as well as the research of the Juniors and Sophomores, please visit our Science Research Website.