San Joaquin County
   Science Fair

The 2007 San Joaquin County Science Fair included science experiments from 38 county schools. Students’ experiments used every imaginable item including cell phones, candles, and toilet paper. The students were eager to not only attend the competition, but to share what they had learned throughout their experiments. “From my research, I learned that most of the fruits and vegetables we have in the refrigerator are acidic,” said fourth-grader Ethan Albala.

The opportunity to construct their own research and develop results allowed students to play the role of a scientist. Some projects focused on the acidity of fruits and vegetables and others on the life-span of batteries, but one student’s project delved into finding a cure for one of the most prevalent diseases currently responsible for taking thousands of lives a year, cancer.

San Singh, a student at Saint Mary’s High School, presented his project entitled, “The Effects of Neem Oil on Cancer Cells.” Through this experiment, Singh found that Azadirachta Indica Oil, also known as Neem Oil, had a signifi cant impact on MCF7 breast cancer cells. Using the lab equipment at University of the Pacific, he successfully constructed an experiment that has the potential to be used by future researchers to relieve symptoms, create drugs, and most importantly, fi nd a cure for cancer.

Besides Singh’s breakthrough, the Science Fair allowed students to take ideas and develop them into research. No matter the topic, each participant had the opportunity to compete within their own grade levels and learn from doing their own research. “I think the most important thing about the science fair is that it gives students an opportunity to question and analyze the world around them,” said Stephanie Anderson, Science Fair coordinator. “It’sexciting to see the thought progression and the point where the ‘light bulb’ goes on and they realize what has happened.”

Awards were given in four categories: Show, Excellent, Superior, and Sweepstakes. Both Superior and Sweepstakes winners went on to the State fi nals on May 21 and 22, and Sweepstakes winners were awarded with a monetary compensation.

“To win the competition, we need the individual to exhibit knowledge of what they are doing and why they are doing it,” said Connie Oliver, one of 40 judges for the competition. “Essentially, we want evidence of their understanding and of the scientific method.”