CSEF Project Listings: 2018
Plant Biology

Junior Division

J1901

Alec T. Balabanis, Grade 7
Filtered Water and Plant Growth
Advisor: Ms. Katharine Nelson
School: Kastner (George W.) Intermediate School, Fresno, Fresno County

J1902

Rebecca D. Barnett, Grade 7
Aquaponics vs. Traditional Soil Farming
Advisor: Ms. Jody Himango
School: McKinleyville Middle School, McKinleyville, Humboldt County

J1903

Alexa G. Brent, Grade 8
A Comparison of Arugula Growth between Aquaponics and Soil
Advisor: Mrs. Rita Armstrong
School: Los Cerritos Middle School, Thousand Oaks, Ventura County

J1904 — Honorable Mention

Kian Chakamian, Grade 7
Correlating Olive Quick Decline Syndrome Infections to the Presence of Sharpshooters
Advisor: Mrs. Roxanne Hunker
School: Rhoades (The) School, Encinitas, San Diego County

J1905

Ella Giguere, Grade 8
How Does Water Availability Affect Plant Health?
Advisor: Dr. Jung-Gun Kim
School: Tierra Linda Middle School, San Carlos, San Mateo County

J1906

Nuria Alexandra S. Gordon, Grade 6
Does Aspirin Help Plants Grow?
Advisor: Mrs. Margarete Bartholomew
School: Vista Fundamental Elementary School, Simi Valley, Ventura County

J1907

Victoria D. Hassaine-LaFrance, Grade 8
Ailish Kissane, Grade 8
Soapy Situation
Advisor: Ms. Habiba Naqvi
School: Bayside Middle School, San Mateo, San Mateo County

J1908

Cameryn M. Hoeft, Grade 8
How Does HydroGel Affect the Mortality and Yield of Plants?
Advisor: Mrs. Deni Guzik
School: San Benancio Middle School, Salinas, Monterey County

J1909 — First Place

Justin G. Hou, Grade 7
Tasha H. Lera, Grade 7
The Growth of Basil in a Controlled Environment with Modulated Lighting Conditions
Advisor: Ms. Elisa Peters
School: Terman Middle School, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County

J1910 — Third Place

Emily M. Huitt, Grade 8
The Fungal Effect: Investigating the Effects of Endomycorrhizea Fungi vs. Cow Manure on the Growth of Tomato Plants
Advisor: Mrs. Marie Bordin-Huitt
School: Notre Dame School, Chico, Butte County

J1911

Sina S. Kassayan, Grade 6
Light Bite: An Optical Measurement Method and Device to Determine the Ripeness of Fruits
Advisor: Mrs. Joanne Tinkham
School: La Entrada Middle School, Menlo Park, San Mateo County

J1912

Benjamin M. Kiekhaefer, Grade 7
Does Coffee Affect Spinach Growth?
Advisor: Ms. Valerie Roddy
School: Mountain Oaks School, San Andreas, Calaveras County

J1913

Gianni T. Lombardi, Grade 7
Plants vs. Radiation
Advisor: Ms. Debbie Culley
School: Santa Fe Christian Community School, Solana Beach, San Diego County

J1914

Anthony J. Matise, Grade 7
GMOs: Testing the Performance of GMO vs. Wild Type Soybean Seeds When Exposed to Various Levels of Weeds and RoundUp
Advisor: Mrs. Christy Novak
School: St. Timothy School, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

J1915

Molly S. Menashe, Grade 7
Phototropism vs. Gravitropism
Advisor: Mr. Eric Hartung
School: Pressman (Rabbi Jacob) Academy, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County

J1916

Hayley N. Meyer, Grade 8
The Effect of Almond Byproducts on the Germination, Establishment, and Growth of Tall Fescue Grass Seed
Advisor: Mr. Scott Matthews
School: Notre Dame School, Chico, Butte County

J1917

David G. Mirrione, Grade 6
Artificial Light vs. Sunlight
Advisor: Ms. Saray Jimenez
School: Hollister Dual Language Academy, Hollister, San Benito County

J1918

Dovid M. Moskowitz, Grade 8
Red vs. Green Apples
Advisor: Mr. Matt Bessler
School: San Diego (Soille) Hebrew Day School, San Diego, San Diego County

J1919

Shania S. Navarro, Grade 8
Which Method Is More Efficient for Plant Growth: Hydroponics or Soil?
Advisor: Mrs. Brianne Fildago
School: Washington Academic Middle School, Sanger, Fresno County

J1920

Kiera M. O'Callaghan, Grade 7
Cryopreservation: To Grow or Not to Grow?
Advisor: Mrs. Trish Rudden
School: St. John the Evangelist, San Francisco, San Francisco County

J1921 — Fourth Place

Zachary J.T. Patton, Grade 8
Effects of Water pH on Fodder Growth
Advisor: Mrs. Heather Bridger
School: Quail Lake Environmental Charter School, Clovis, Fresno County

J1922

Tosten N. Pearson, Grade 8
How Does Companion Planting with Nitrogen Fixing Crops Affect Plant Development?
Advisor: Mr. Ravishanth (Ravi) Dev Anandhan
School: Sierra Madre Middle School, Sierra Madre, Los Angeles County

J1923

Pola V. Pietrzkowski, Grade 7
The Effect of Music, Noise, and Silence on the Germination of Seeds
Advisor: Ms. Afsaneh Miller
School: Fairmont Private - North Tustin Campus, North Tustin, Orange County

J1924

Anna D. Sohn, Grade 8
The Effect of Heat on Bean Plant Growth
Advisor: Ms. Christina Brown
School: The Children's School, La Jolla, San Diego County

J1925

Noa R. Wallock, Grade 8
Can Germinated Radish Seeds Grow in Different Gradients of Simulated Mars Soil, With or Without Fertilizer?
Advisor: Ms. Jerilyn Joel
School: Archer School (The) for Girls, Los Angles, Los Angeles County

J1926

Maggie R. Watts, Grade 8
Aquaponics vs. Hydroponics: Replacing Commercial Fertilizers with Fish Waste
Advisor: Mrs. Roxanne Hunker
School: Rhoades (The) School, Encinitas, San Diego County

J1927 — Second Place

Ayana R. Wilmot, Grade 7
Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis of California Lichens: A Suitability Study into Producing Oxygen on Mars
Advisor: Ms. Nisanti Wilmot
School: Oakwood School, Morgan Hill, Santa Clara County

J1928

Bryce M. Wong, Grade 7
Used Coffea Arabica Grinds as Soil Substitute to Mitigate Waste and Environmental Pollution
Advisor: Ms. Megan Margeson
School: St. John Fisher, Rancho Palos Verdes, Los Angeles County

J1929

Eric Yang, Grade 7
Investigating Salt Tolerance of Western Plant Species
Advisor: Mrs. Roxanne Hunker
School: Rhoades (The) School, Encinitas, San Diego County