The Kauai Regional Science and Engineering Fair held on March 2, 2024, showcased the innovative work of local students, with 37 projects advancing to the state competition on Oahu. Despite challenging weather conditions, participants displayed their comprehensive research in front of a panel of judges composed of community professionals, highlighting the dedication and talent of Kauai’s youth.
Dan Matthews, the coordinator of the fair, reported that approximately 180 students from sixth to twelfth grades initiated research projects at the beginning of the school year. “This resulted in more than 150 research projects,” Matthews stated. “Schools on Kauai then ran competitions to determine the best of the best. Of all those projects, only 37 made it to this Regional Fair.” Following rigorous judging, 10 projects and four alternates will represent Kauai at the state fair.
Among the standout projects, the top entry in the Junior Division was “How Effective is a Homemade Hydrometer,” presented by Nathaniel Knickel from Island School. This project will also participate in the prestigious Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, which champions budding scientists in the sixth to eighth grades.
The second place in the Junior Division was awarded to “Stretchin’-N-Movin’,” created by Anthony Riola and Teiva Hesapene from St. Theresa School. The third place went to “The Power of Plastic,” now renamed “Plastic Sand Concrete” by the judges, presented by James Burkhart, a sixth grader at St. Theresa School. The fourth and fifth places were claimed by Makayla Oliver from Hanalei Elementary School with her project “Fantastic Flour,” and Sophia San Agustin, also from St. Theresa School, with “WHITE noise-BLACKout.”
In the Senior Division, Drezdin Taylor from Kauai High School earned top honors for his project “Analyzing the Mycorrhizae of Non-Native and Native Hawaiian Trees.” House Speaker Nadine Nakamura praised Taylor’s work, noting the judges commented on the extensive research involved and its potential contributions to understanding tree fungi.
Freshman Adelaide Mottley was equally thrilled to find her project, “Using Fractal Geometry to Identify Super Reefs,” recognized as one of the top senior projects. “The judges were impressed by the relevance of your project and the impact its results could have on our island,” Nakamura remarked.
The awards continued with Kasarah Navor and Joy Lin securing third place for their project on the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, while Cora Rosenthal from Island School earned fourth place for “Can Water Kefir Scobies Survive Without Cane Sugar?” Rounding out the top five was Tanner Miller, who presented “Impact of Sunscreen Ingredients on Algae.”
In addition to the local competition, Matthews highlighted the participation of students in national events. Both Jayna Sams and Tanner Miller have submitted their projects to the National STEM Festival in November, where they will vie to represent Hawaii at a national research competition in Washington, D.C., later this summer.
“This event not only showcases remarkable scientific inquiry but also inspires the next generation to continue exploring and questioning the world around them,” Nakamura said. “Today, we saw the next generation doing exactly that. I hope everyone leaves inspired to keep exploring, keep asking ‘why,’ and keep imagining what is possible.”
