Kaua‘i High School senior Jeanine Longboy and her teacher Alexa Nelson are set to represent the state at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles from May 11 to May 17. The duo is part of the 21-project Hawai‘i state delegation, competing with around 3,000 projects from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and 87 countries for awards and scholarships totaling more than $3 million.
Longboy emerged as the top student at the Kaua‘i Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. Her project, titled “Identifying Photosynthetic Microeukaryotes and Cyanobacteria in the Diet of Tilapia in the ‘Alekoko Fishpond using eDNA,” placed second in Earth and Environmental Sciences and received three special awards, including scholarships totaling $2,600.
Other students from Kaua‘i who excelled at the state fair include Ashley Chun of Island School, who won first place in Material Science for her project on “Using Organic Mats to Clean Oil Spills” and received a $500 scholarship. Lauryn Hashimoto from Kaua‘i High School also won a scholarship, earning an Associated Chinese Women University Award of $200. Additionally, Tanner Miller of Island School received an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Junior Division Award with a $100 scholarship. The team of Kiopaa Hermosura and Kellen Nitta from Kapa‘a Middle School secured third place in Earth and Environmental Science for their project on “The Aquaponic System vs. Soil.” All these students will be moving on to represent Kaua‘i at various science fairs and competitions in the future.
