Sacred Heart Greenwich Students Recognized for Innovation at 5th Annual Greenwich Middle School STEM Fair

Sacred Heart Students Shine at 5th Annual Greenwich Middle School STEM Fair

Sacred Heart Greenwich Middle School students proudly represented their school at the 5th Annual Greenwich Middle School STEM Fair, hosted by Greenwich High School. This exciting event brought together innovative young minds from across the community to showcase their research and problem-solving skills through creative STEM projects.

We are especially proud of our 8th-grade students, whose hard work, ingenuity, and scientific curiosity were on full display. The students who participated in the fair each brought thoughtful, well-researched projects that impressed judges and attendees alike.

The fair featured poster presentations, judging sessions, guest speaker presentations, and concluded with an awards ceremony. With 75 projects in total, the fair provided an incredible platform for students to present their work to peers, parents, educators, and community members. Please see below the list of students who represented Sacred Heart Greenwich at the fair. 

Award Highlights:

Olivia Broughton and Molly Cronin received the Prathit Kurup Community Impact Award, presented to the project that best addresses a local community issue. Their project explored the effects of rainfall runoff on the health of the campus pond at the Outdoor Classroom. By analyzing aquatic insect populations and testing key water quality indicators—such as pH, nitrates, phosphates, alkalinity, and hardness—they were able to assess the ecological impact of rainwater runoff on a dynamic pond system.

Sophia Iyer and Sydney Bellissimo earned an Honorable Mention Award for their research into sustainable agriculture. Their project focused on creating a biodegradable, slow-release water and nutrient delivery system using a process called spherification. The innovative gel capsules they developed gradually release nutrients and water into the soil, promoting healthy plant growth while minimizing environmental impact.

8th Grade Students and Projects:

Paige Creegan ’29
Color, Code, & Control: Helping Medical Students Visualize the Endocrine Function of the Pancreas
A seasoned science fair participant, Paige wowed attendees with her artificial pancreas model. This is her third science fair and second project of the year, following a successful run at the Connecticut Science Fair and Invention Convention.

Mary Kate McBreen ’29
The Effect of the Ratio of Pomegranate Peels to Psyllium Husk on the Final Strength and Effectiveness of a Bioplastic
A returning finalist from the Connecticut Science Fair, Mary Kate continues her impactful work in sustainable materials.

Sophia Iyer ’29 and Sydney Bellissimo ’29
Using Fruit-Based Peel Powders to Create a Potent Slow-Release Fertilizer that Improves Plant Growth and Crop Productivity
This is the pair's second project and science fair this year, continuing their exploration of environmental science after previous research on microplastics and nanoparticles.

Ariel Almonacy ’29 and Vivienne Vanderwilt ’29
Using Clay Flocculation to Reduce Algae in a Body of Water
Finalists at the Connecticut Science Fair, Ariel and Vivienne returned with a compelling project tackling water quality and algae reduction.

Spenser Simmons ’29
Developing and Testing the Strength and Flexibility of Seaweed-Based Biofabrics Made with Different Additives
In her science fair debut, Spenser impressed both judges and guests with her innovative approach to sustainable fashion.

Olivia Broughton ’29 and Molly Cronin ’29
Testing the Effect of Rainwater Runoff on the Health of a Local Pond
Their award-winning project builds on earlier research into algae mitigation through clay treatment, reinforcing their commitment to local environmental issues.

Stephanie Galvez ’29, Bonnie Ukperaj ’29, and Mia Cartagena ’29
Testing the Strength, Flexibility, and Biodegradability of Watermelon Rind-Based Bioplastics
This talented trio previously won 1st place in physical science at the Connecticut Science Fair and will present their work at the Thermo Fisher Innovator’s Challenge in June.

Sacred Heart Greenwich Students enjoying the fair.