Science Fair 8th Grade
by Maleeya Mickelson
Months of dedicated and meticulous work culminated at the annual Science Academy Science Fair on February 5th, where our 7th and 8th grade students exhibited their thoughtfully constructed and skillfully executed Science Fair entries. These diverse projects showcased both our students’ varied scientific interests and their skills with creative problem-solving and comprehensive analysis. This yearly event provided an opportunity for our students’ parents, teachers, and peers to appreciate their hard work and scientific growth. Congratulations to the following 8th grade students who won the 2025 school Science Fair and who will be advancing on to the Los Angeles County Science Fair on March 9-10 where they’ll represent The Science Academy STEM Magnet:
1st Place — Jackson Rutner
2nd Place — Rebecca Finkelstein
3rd Place (tied) — Rainelle Yasa; Atharva Shimpi and Jeron Leonard
Honorable Mentions — Elias Pruitt; Lana Dalbotten
To understand their projects and discuss their perspectives on their year’s Science Fair, I interviewed the 1st place winner, Jackson Rutner, and one of the 3rd place winners, Rainelle Yasa.
1st Place: Jackson Rutner
“Seeing Stress”
What was the problem you were aiming to solve? What was the thought process behind designing your experiment?
The project aims to determine whether stress-induced birefringence [the optical property of a material that splits a ray of light into two rays] could serve as a non-destructive method to analyze stress concentration in polycarbonate sheets and predict their weak points. In order to create my experiment, I considered different forms of stress and ways to compare them. I decided on tension because of how much easier it is to apply than other forces. In order to compare different examples, I tried different polygonal patterns.
How did you build your testing environment?
In order to build my testing environment, I made a wooden frame out of wood to support the rest of the system. I used pulleys to magnify the force as well as increase precision. Finally, I attached the fishing scale in order to compare the amount of force required to break the plastic.
Was your hypothesis supported? What did your prior research suggest about your results?
My hypothesis was that if the polycarbonate sheet is patterned with six different shapes under tension, then the strength order will be: 30° Hexagon, Triangle, Hexagon, Control, Square, and 45° Square was not supported. Instead, the actual strength order was Triangle, 30° Hexagon, Square, Hexagon, Control, and 45° Square. The triangle’s unique geometry allowed its base to experience compression, which helped distribute the applied force more efficiently and increased overall strength.
What information did you learn to help expand your scientific knowledge and make an impact?
So far, my project showed the complexity of stress distribution in materials as well as how having different stresses can affect how objects break. In order to get more exact information, though, I need to redo my experiment, but with more specific testing, such as using a load cell.
What advice do you have for Science Fair participants in years to come?
My advice for future participants in the Science Fair is to make sure to have an idea that you actually are interested in, so you have the motivation to work hard on your project.
3rd Place: Rainelle Yasa
”Hydroponics: The Effects of Optimized Growth Factors on Nutrient Concentration”
What was the problem you were aiming to solve? What was the thought process behind designing your experiment?
I aimed to explore whether optimizing light exposure and pH levels could enhance the nutrient concentration of hydroponically grown arugula microgreens. With food insecurity rising, I wanted to investigate hydroponics as a sustainable alternative to traditional farming. My experiment was designed to test how environmental factors impact nutrient density.
Was your hypothesis supported? What did your prior research suggest about your results?
My hypothesis suggested that optimized conditions would increase nutrient concentrations compared to the control group. However, while all samples exceeded USDA nutrient standards, the control group retained more nutrients due to slower growth and less nutrient dilution from seed reserves.
What makes your project different from the typical Science Fair plant project?
Unlike typical science fair plant projects that focus on a single variable, my experiment tested multiple independent variables–light exposure and pH levels–simultaneously. By incorporating multiple optimizations, my project provided a more comprehensive approach.
What information did you learn to help expand your scientific knowledge and make an impact?
I gained a deeper understanding of how environmental factors influence plant nutrition and the trade-offs involved in optimizing growth. My research highlights the potential of hydroponic systems for future food production, particularly in urban and resource-limited settings.
What advice do you have for Science Fair participants in years to come?
Choose a project that you’re passionate about and think about its real-world applications. Be prepared for unexpected results, since your project will most likely not turn out as planned.
