Upper and Middle School Scientists Shine at the CT STEM & CT Science & Engineering Fairs

Sacred Heart Greenwich Middle and Upper School students impressed the judges at the Connecticut STEM and the Connecticut Science & Engineering Fair, prestigious statewide science competitions, with their groundbreaking research and scientific discoveries.  

Our Upper School students showcased their innovative research tackling topics from vibration therapy to water quality and noise pollution, distinguishing themselves in this year’s competition.

First Place:

Ella Callagy ’25 and Charly Nemec ’25 – Effects of Vibration Therapy on Pain Perception

Lily Broughton ’26 and Caitlin Dean ’26 – Water Quality Analysis of Blind Brook

Third Place:

Dua Khan ’26 – Effects of Social Determinants on Veterans' Cardiovascular Health

Aubrey Lombardo ’26 – Comparing Social and Moral Values of Civilians and Military Personnel

Fourth Place:

Sutton Burchetta ’26 and Finley Newman ’26 – Monitoring Underwater Noise Pollution

The excitement continued! Annie Slocum ’26 competed as a finalist in the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair for her project analyzing medical data to help diagnose neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (nTOS)! 

In October, 8th grade science students embarked on an environmental research journey, selecting topics to study, conducting background research, and forming hypotheses. They selected topics pertaining to sustainability and pollution remediation, designed experiments, gathered materials, performed hands-on research, and analyzed their findings before presenting their research to the class.

The students listed below then went above and beyond, creating poster boards and videos for submission to the Connecticut Science Fair. They presented their research via Zoom to judges, leading to finalist selections for in-person judging at Quinnipiac University the following week. We are so proud of these young scientists for their dedication, innovation, and hard work!

Finalists with 1st Honors and Special Awards:

Abby Knox ’29 and Mary Kate McBreen ’29 – Biodegradable Food Packaging from Pomegranate Peels and Psyllium Husks

• Finalist - Life Sciences Middle School Team, CSF Medallions
• Connecticut Science Fair Association Life Science Awards with The Jackson Laboratory 

Paige Creegan ’29 – Tea & Coffee as Nutrients for Plant Growth

• Finalist - Life Sciences Middle School
• 4th Place Trophy - Life Sciences 8th grade
• Connecticut Science Fair Association Life Science Awards with The Jackson Laboratory 
• Association for Women Geoscientists Award

Livy Hastings ’29 – Bamboo-Based Bioplastics

• Finalist - Life Sciences Middle School, CSF Medallion
• Connecticut Science Fair Association Life Science Awards with The Jackson Laboratory 
• Ricoh Americas Corporation Awards

Stephanie Galvez ’29, Mia Cartagena ’29 and Bonnie Ukperaj ’29 – Watermelon Rind-Based Bioplastics

• Finalist - Physical Sciences Middle School Team
• 1st Place Trophy - Physical Sciences Middle School Team
• Connecticut Science Fair Association Physical Science Awards 
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC); Nomination to compete in the Thermo Fisher Scientific JIC for selected top MS winners

Eli Antenucci ’29 and Kenzie Malouin ’29 – Water Purification with Activated Carbon & Biochar

• Finalist - Physical Sciences Middle School Team, CSF Medallions 
• Connecticut Science Fair Association Physical Science Awards
• Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions Environmental Sciences Awards

Ariel Almonacy ’29, Vivienne Vanderwilt ’29, and Nora Mulcahy ’29 – Clay Flocculation to Control Algae Blooms

• Finalist - Physical Sciences Middle School Team, CSF Medallions 
• Connecticut Science Fair Association Physical Science Awards 
• Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions Environmental Sciences Awards 
• Yale Peabody Museum Award

2nd Honors:

Noa Friedman ’29 – Biochar as a Soil Conditioner

Chloe Chawla ’29, Gigi Zakrzewski ’29, and Shannon Clark ’29 – Fruit Peel Extracts for Plant Growth

Sophia Iyer ’29 and Sydney Bellissimo ’29 – Effects of Microplastics & Silver Nanoparticles on Artemia Salina

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award

3rd Honors:

Li Bonito ’29 – Using Microwave Radiation to Kill Weeds

Congratulations to all our students on their outstanding achievements in STEM! who competed! Your dedication, passion and innovation are inspiring!