Five students from Bishop O'Connell High School presented independent research projects at the Northern Virginia Regional Science Fair held at Wakefield High School in early March. All five of them returned to school with multiple awards and recognition.
Junior Sofia DiBenigno's project, entitled "The Effect of Subliminal Messaging on Survey Responses," won first place in the Behavioral Science category and an invitation to the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair. DiBenigno also received recognition from several organizations, including the Office of Naval Research, the American Psychological Association, and the CIA.
"Potential for Life on Gliese 581g" was the title of junior Eric Cocoli's project. This project won third place in the Earth and Space Science category. He was also recognized for his work by the National Space Club and the Optical Society of America.
Sophomore Alessandro Luna presented his work entitled "The Effects of Nicotine on the Cellular Respiration of Saccharomyces cerevisie." This project won second place in the Biochemistry category and received accolades from the Patent & Trademark Office Society, the CIA and several dental societies.
Sophomore Maya Retterer's project, entitled "UV Protection of Waterproof Sunscreen," won third place in the Microbiology category. She also received recognition from the U.S. Public Health Service, the CIA and the Patent & Trademark Office Society.
"Pain Killers Do Not JU.S.t Kill Pain" was the title of sophomore Patrick Reyes. This project won third place in the Medicine and Health category and was also recognized by the Public Health Service.
AWARDS
- Sofia DiBenigno (Junior)
“The Effect of Subliminal Messaging on Survey Responses”
1st Place - Behavioral Science
Moving forward to attend VA State Science & Engineering Fair
1st Place - Certificate of Achievement, Medallion, $50 Monetary Award, U.S. Navy & Marine Corp, Office of Naval Research
1st Place - Certificate of Achievement, American Psychological Association
1st Place - Invitation to CIA Recognition Ceremony, Central Intelligence Agency
1st Place - Certificate of Achievement, Patent & Trademark Office Society
Honorable Mention - Certificate of Achievement Behavioral & Social Sciences, Northern Virginia Dental Society
Honorable Mention - Certificate of Achievement Behavioral & Social Sciences, Virginia Dental Association
- Eric Cocoli (Junior)
Potential for Life on Gliese 581g
3rd Place - Earth & Space Science
1st Place - Certificate of Achievement, $300 Monetary Award, National Space Club
Honorable Mention - Certificate of Achievement, Optical Society of America
- Alessandro Luna (Sophomore)
The Effects of Nicotine on the Cellular Respiration of Saccharomyces cerevisie
2nd Place - Biochemistry
1st Place - Certificate of Achievement, Patent & Trademark Office Society
Achievement Recognition - Central Intelligence Agency
Honorable Mention - Certificate of Achievement Biochemistry, Northern Virginia Dental Society
Honorable Mention - Certificate of Achievement Biochemistry, Virginia Dental Association
- Maya Retterer (Sophomore)
UV Protection of Waterproof Sunscreens
3rd Place - Microbiology
1st Place - Distinguished Achievement, U.S. Public Health Service, Commissioned Officers Association
Achievement Recognition - Central Intelligence Agency
Honorable Mention - Patent & Trademark Office Society
Patrick Reyes (Sophomore)
Pain Killers Do Not JU.S.t Kill Pain
3rd Place - Medicine & Health
Honorable Mention - Certificate of Achievement, Medallion, U.S. Public Health Service, Commissioned Officers Association.