Florida Tech Rewards Young Science Fair Participants

– Florida Tech’s Department of Civil Engineering recognized and rewarded 16 local middle and high school students in
the Brevard South, Intracoastal and Mainland Science and Engineering Fairs. The fairs, held in February, displayed more than 500 projects. The six
first-place projects were:

“Developing a Process to Increase Energy Efficiency of the Fermentation of Lignocellosic Biomass” by Dan Rood, Palm Bay High School, Senior Division
(Teacher: Mike O’Donnell)

“Is There a Relationship between Dissolved Oxygen and pH along the Shores of the Indian River Lagoon?” by Kaitlyn Bell, West Shore Junior/Senior High
School, Junior Division (Teacher: Tonya Galaida)

“Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Replacing Oil One Step at a Time” by Kenneth Etcheverry, Satellite Beach High School, Senior Division; (Teacher: Joe Scott)

“What Is the Most Effective Hurricane Protection Window between Plywood, Metal and Panel or Lexan?” by Kenny Krueger, Edgewood Junior/Senior High School,
Junior Division (Teacher: Carla Stokes)

“Modeling Wave Characteristics: Is it Possible to Develop a Software Model that Accurately Simulates Wave Characteristics Using Trigonometry?” by James
Brandenburg, Cocoa High School, Senior Division (Teacher: Raul Montes)

“How Does the Population Density along the Indian River Lagoon Effect the Water Quality?” By Heather Lake, Jackson Middle School, Junior Division (Teacher:
Ruth Clifford)

The first and second place students in the senior division received certificates and scholarship awards of $200 and $100 respectively to attend the Florida
Tech Department of Civil Engineering summer engineering program. Other winning students received a certificate for their accomplishment.

“The Department of Civil Engineering is committed to making these awards every year,” said Dr. Ashok Pandit, professor and department head. Florida Tech
judge Dr. Howell Heck was assisted by civil engineering students Erica Buffington and Desi Dikova with the awards.